(General instructions – may not apply to every patient)
Following surgery, it is normal for you to have some mild pain and swelling. How much you have depends on your body’s ability to heal. Remember that everyone is different and your experience may be unique. To minimize the amount of swelling and pain you experience it is important for you to follow the instructions below and any special instructions your dentist may have given you. Please do not smoke while healing.
SMOKING: Do not smoke. Smoking delays healing and may cause increased pain. Smoking can contribute to treatment failure in some instances. Smokers can have more pain or problems. Ask the doctor if you need help. Problems with osteitis, sinusitis, infection, wound opening, swelling with pus and increased pain, incomplete healing/scarring/recession or even treatment failure can occur.
BLEEDING: Some oozing is to be expected. If bleeding continues or is excessive, rinse out first with warm, then cold water. Place a tight ball of moistened, cold gauze or a tea bag over the bleeding area and apply gentle pressure by biting the teeth together for at least 30 minutes. Apply ice to the side of your face and rest with head elevated on two pillows. Repeat if necessary. Do not spit and do not use straws – THIS WILL INCREASE BLEEDING. Saliva mixed with blood will will make it seem like there is more bleeding than is actually occurring. Nose bleeds from surgery of your upper jaw can occur. If bleeding persists, call us.
PAIN: There is discomfort associated with any surgical procedure. Take pain medication as instructed. Take tablets or capsules with a whole glass of water. If pain increases after 48 hours, call the doctor. Prescription pain medications may cause drowsiness. Do not take them and drive or drink alcohol. It is advisable to take 400 mg. of Advil every four hours, for up to two days (provided you have no contraindications to ibuprofen, NSAIDS or derivatives thereof). Ask the doctor if you are unsure.
SWELLING: There is swelling associated with any surgical procedure. This swelling will usually last 4-5 days and then begin to fade away. Some of the swelling may be prevented by applying ice packs to the face over the area of surgery as often as possible for 24–48 hours after surgery. Peak swelling usually occurs 48 hours after surgery. Some people swell a lot. Call if concerned.
BRUISING: There is often bruising or discoloration associated with any surgical procedure. This discoloration may last 7–14 days or longer. Don’t be alarmed if you bruise a lot, as some people are susceptible to oral, facial, neck or bruising locations elsewhere.
STIFFNESS: You may experience muscle stiffness around your jaws for several days, i.e., difficulty opening your mouth.
ACTIVITY: If you’ve taken a sedative do not drive, operate machinery or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours.
MOUTHWASH: You may rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon table salt to 8 oz. warm water) every 4 hours the day after surgery. You may brush the day after surgery. Avoid any areas of sutures. You may be given a prescription mouthwash, e.g., Peridex, Periogard (chlorohexidine gluconate). Use as directed .
DIET: A nutritionally balanced diet is essential for gaining strength and for rapid healing. Eat a soft diet (soups, cereal, milk, eggs, jello, applesauce, ice cream) regularly until you can tolerate a normal diet. Avoid hot foods for 24 hours. Sometimes a blender is helpful. Drink an abundance of water. Do not use straws, as they may break clots and cause bleeding and/or enhance pain.
NAUSEA: Occasionally nausea will occur after sedation or, more commonly, with prescribed narcotic pain medications. If this happens, call the doctor. Consider stopping your prescription pain pills. We can prescribe compazine or promethazize if this symptom is severe.
FEVER: There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24-48 hours after surgery. If fever persists, call us.
ANTIBIOTICS: If you have been given a prescription for an antibiotic, have it filled immediately and take as directed until all gone. If you forgot to inform the doctor that you are already taking an antibiotic, let him know right away. Assume birth control will not guard against pregnancy for 1-cycle while taking an antibiotic. Yeast infections and gastrointestinal issues can occur. If so, call us.
SUTURES: If sutures were placed, you will need to make an appointment for removal. Do not lift your lip to examine the stitches too often as this can tear the tissues and cause further bleeding, and in some cases cause a poor wound closure outcome.
IMPLANT INFORMATION: Keep the gum tissue around the implant clean with gentle rinsing Peridex (PerioGard). Do not chew on the implant site until given permission by the doctor. NO SMOKING, NO ALCOHOL, NO CHEWING TOBACCO.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT – DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY – ROOT CANAL SURGERY – I.V. SEDATION
FOR THE DOCTOR AFTER OFFICE HOURS: PLEASE CALL DR. KISER’S CELL PHONE (419) 610-9203
Russell Kiser II, D.D.S., M.S., EMT-P. 1245 S. Trimble Road, Mansfield, Ohio 44907
Phone (419) 756-2880 Cell (419) 610-9203 FAX (419) 775-8820 E-mail [email protected]
