Patient Instructions
Please click on the topics below to view instructions.
PRE-OPERATIVE SURGICAL INSTRUCTIONS
- Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours prior to the appointment. If you are given a prescription for antibiotics to take before surgery, these should be taken 2 hours before surgery with a small sip of water.
- Do not smoke for 24 hours before surgery. It is beneficial to healing to not smoke in the first 5-7 days after surgery.
- A responsible adult must accompany the patient home and stay with him/her for the remainder of the day.
- The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience and should not drive while on stronger painkillers.
- Please wear loose fitting clothing with short sleeves or sleeves that can be rolled up past the elbow, and low heels or running shoes.
- Contact lenses and jewelry must be removed at the time of surgery.
- Please inform us if you are wearing a hearing aid.
- Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, nail polish or perfume on the day of surgery.
- If you have an illness such as a cold, fever, sore throat, sinusitis or nausea, please notify the office.
- If you routinely take oral medication, please check with Dr. Villa's office prior to your surgical date for instructions.
POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING MINOR ORAL SURGERY
Proper care following surgical procedures in the mouth will quicken recovery and reduce potential complications.
It is essential that you:
- Maintain continuous firm pressure on gauze pad placed over the wound for 30 minutes.
- Do not rinse or disturb wound in any way.
- Take medication as directed.
- Do not engage in excessive physical activity.
Pain
Pain following oral surgery is to be expected. The severity of pain varies considerably from one person to another and with the nature of the surgery. If the medication you have seems inadequate or if severe pain continues beyond 48-72 hours, contact our office. Further treatment may be required.
Bleeding
You may expect a small amount of bleeding during the first 24 hours. If bleeding becomes excessive:
- Gently wipe out your mouth with a clean gauze pad.
- Fold clean gauze into a thick pad (a slightly moistened teabag wrapped in gauze may also be used) and place directly over the bleeding area. Maintain continuous firm pressure for at least 30 minutes.
- Repeat if necessary.
- It may help to keep your head elevated while resting.
- If you are still unable to control bleeding, contact our office.
DO NOT: Smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or consume hot liquids for at least 18 hours.
SWELLING
Swelling to varying degrees may occur following oral surgery. To minimize swelling, apply ice pack (cold compress) to affected side of face - on 20 minutes, off 20 minutes for the 6-8 hours following surgery. Do not apply heat in first 3 days following surgery. It may take 2-3 days before the swelling peaks. Contact our office if the swelling increases after that time.
DISCOLOURATION
A bruising of the skin sometimes occurs. This will disappear without treatment in 7-10 days.
DIFFICULTLY IN OPENING MOUTH
Difficulty in opening the mouth occasionally occurs and should begin to disappear gradually within 3-5 days.
MOUTH CARE
Do not rinse for 24 hours following surgery. Provided there is no bleeding, you may rinse after this time with warm salt water. (1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in approximately 6 oz. of warm water). Afterwards, clean your mouth as usual, avoiding the wound.
DIET
Adequate nutrition is important for proper healing. Clear liquids, which include: apple juice, sports drinks and clear/cool broth, should be taken on the day of surgery followed by soft foods the day after surgery. Eat soft nutritious foods such as eggs, chopped meats, custards, milk shakes, soups juices. Avoid HOT foods and liquids.
COMPLICATIONS
Even with proper care, complications sometimes arise following oral surgery. The most common early problems include bleeding and nausea. In case of unusual disturbances, do not hesitate to contact our office.
SEDATIVES
Depressant type drugs (sedatives, tranquilizers, etc) are sometimes administered before surgery. The effects of these drugs may seem to wear off within the first hour or two but reflexes may be impaired for up to 24 hours. Therefore, you should not drive a car, operate machinery or travel unescorted for that period of time. Also, patients should not drive while taking stronger painkillers.POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE SINUS LIFT BONE GRAFTS
PAIN
Begins 2-4 hours after the procedure is completed, as the local anesthetic wears off. Pain typically increases gradually peaking on the third or fourth day after surgery. It is recommended that you begin pain management with Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) 600 mg every 8 hours on a schedule for the next 4-6 days. AVOID ASPIRIN. If the Ibuprofen is insufficient to meet your needs, then plain Tylenol or the prescribed pain killer can be taken with Ibuprofen to provide better relief.
SWELLING
Will increase gradually over the first 3-4 days after surgery. It will typically look worse in the morning, after you have been in the reclined position for 6 plus hours. Ice should be applied to that side (or sides) for the first 2 days. Apply an ice pack: on 20 minutes, off 20 minutes while awake.
BLEEDING
Is expected in small amounts, off and on during the next 3 days. It may occur from the mouth, and/or the nose.- Gently wipe out your mouth with a clean gauze pad.
- Fold clean gauze into a thick pad (a slightly moistened teabag may be used) and place directly over the bleeding area. Maintain continuous firm pressure for a least 30 minutes.
- Repeat if necessary.
- It may help to keep your head elevated while resting.
If bleeding is from the nose:
- Do Not blow the nose.
- Sit up / tip the head back.
- Pinch the nostrils gently.
If these measures do not stop or significantly slow down the nasal bleeding, then call our office, or proceed to the local emergency room and have the charge nurse page Dr. Villa.
BRUISING
Bruising of the skin may occur. It may appear until the third or fourth day after surgery. This will usually resolve within the next 7-10 days.
SINUS PRECAUTIONS
Finish taking the prescribed antibioticsIf the nasal passage (s) are congested, it is okay to use a nasal spray as directed for the first 3 days after surgery.
If congestion persists, and you feel the need to treat it, you can then switch to an oral decongestant (for example DayQuil / Nyquil) again: as directed.
No smoking, drinking through a straw or blowing nose for the next 2 weeks.
If you have to sneeze, open your mouth to sneeze. If not, you will create a negative pressure in your sinus, creating the possibility of bleeding and disturbing the sinus graft.
SUTURES
Depending on the type of surgery, you may have resorbable or non-resorbable stitches. The resorbable stitches may start to fall out over the next 7-10 days. Non-resorbable stitches will be removed in the office after one to two weeks.
BRUSHING
Start brushing teeth the day after surgery except the areas of surgery.
DIET
Clear and full liquids for the first 24 hours. These include electrolyte beverages, clear juices, soups, shakes, smoothies, yogurt, puddings and water. After the second day, soft regular diet for 3 days: noodles, eggs, ground beef, etc. Then regular diet as tolerated.- You may also experience areas of decreased sensation in the face. Please alert your surgeon on your first post-operative visit.
- Try to keep your head elevated 30 degrees above ground when sleeping for the first 3 days after surgery. This will minimize swelling.
- Ambulation: although you had surgery, we would like for you to be out of bed as soon as possible after the day of surgery to prevent clots forming in the legs and traveling, causing potentially dangerous consequences. Walk around the house, sit in a chair and perform calf exercises to remain active.
POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING BLOCK BONE GRAFTING
REST
- Rest quietly with your head elevated for the remainder of the day.
- Always get up slowly from a reclining position to prevent dizziness.
- Limit physical activity as if you have a cold or flu.
- To encourage rapid healing please rest.
ICE
As soon as possible, place an ice pack on your face over the surgical area; 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.- Use the ice pack for the first 24-48 hours following surgery. This will contribute to your comfort and minimize swelling.
- Moist heat may be applied the third day following surgery for added comfort.
PAIN
Pain begins 2-4 hours after the procedure is completed, as the local anesthetic wears off. It typically increases gradually peaking on the third or fourth day after surgery. It is recommended that you begin pain management with Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) 600 mg every 8 hours on a schedule for the next 4-6 days. AVOID ASPIRIN. If the Ibuprofen is insufficient to meet your needs, then plain Tylenol or the prescribed pain killer can be taken with Ibuprofen to provide better pain relief.- Some pain medications may cause lightheadedness. Lying down will help this.
- Some medications may cause an upset stomach. Taking these with food will lessen this effect.
- Take antibiotics and any other prescribed medication as directed.
MOUTHCARE
Do not brush, floss, rinse and spit the day of surgery as it can dislodge the clot that has formed.- You may begin to brush NON-SURGICAL areas the day following surgery. Remember to rinse very gently. You may begin brushing the surgical areas 2 weeks after surgery.
EATING
Eat soft foods such as pasta, eggs, yogurt, baked potatoes or hot cereal.- Avoid extremes: very hot, very cold, acidic foods such as oranges and tomatoes. Also avoid chewy or sharp foods.
- Maintain a balanced diet.
FLUIDS
Fluids should be consumed as soon as possible. It is recommended that you drink 6-8 glasses of water over the remainder of the day following surgery.- Avoid using a straw as it may cause a suction, which may loosen clotting and cause bleeding.