Pre & Post Treatment Instructions
Learn how to prepare for and recover from our specialized treatments.
Pre-Appointment Fasting:
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Patients must completely abstain from consuming any food (inlcuding candy, gum, or oral tobacco products, and beverages (including water) at least 8 hours prior to your scheduled surgery. This precaution ensures the most effective and safe anesthesia. Blood thinning medications should not be discontinued without your prescribing doctor's permission. Medications should generally be taken at their usual time with a small sip of water. Please call the office regarding management of insulin if you are diabetic.
Attendance and Accompaniment:
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Your safety is paramount to us. We require you to have a responsible adult accompany you to the appointment, remaining on-site throughout the procedure and assisting with transportation back home afterward.
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Rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) to and from the office are not permitted if riding unaccompanied.
Sedation Considerations:
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If you're contemplating sedation, it's recommended to refrain from smoking for a minimum of 12 hours prior. For optimal results, a week of avoidance is ideal.
Health Notification:
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If you're feeling unwell, particularly exhibiting symptoms like a cough or cold, please promptly inform our office. Your well-being is essential, and we will work together to determine the best course of action.
Comfortable Attire and Accessories:
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Opt for loose and comfortable clothing for your appointment. Prior to the procedure, kindly remove jewelry, contact lenses, and dentures to facilitate ease and safety.
Minimal Aesthetic Preparations:
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To ensure a seamless process, minimize the use of excessive makeup, lipstick, or nail polish. This enables us to prioritize your natural appearance during the procedure.
Post-Anesthesia Care:
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For your safety, plan not to drive or operate machinery for a duration of 24 hours following any anesthesia administered during the procedure. Your well-being remains our primary concern.
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Preparation and Bleeding Care:
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To ensure a successful procedure, abstain from any food or drink, including water, for a minimum of 8 hours prior to your appointment.
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For bleeding management, place gauze firmly over the extraction sites and maintain pressure for 20-30 minutes at a time. Replace the gauze as needed, repeating this process until bleeding subsides. To prevent restarting bleeding, avoid physical activity, vigorous rinsing, and drinking through straws for 48 hours. If bleeding reoccurs, bite on gauze for another 20-30 minutes until it ceases.
Managing Swelling:
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During the initial 24 hours following surgery, apply ice to your face, alternating every 15 minutes, to minimize swelling. Swelling is a normal part of the recovery process and generally peaks around day 2 or 3. Should swelling worsen beyond this, please inform our office. After 24 hours, you can opt for heat or cold application, based on your comfort preference.
Post-Surgery Diet:
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To avoid accidentally biting your tongue, cheek, or lip, wait until numbness subsides before eating. Opt for soft foods and ample fluids for a few days post-surgery. Steer clear of overly hot, spicy, or foods with small components like rice, seeds, and granola. Gradually reintegrate your regular diet as you feel comfortable over the first week.
Pain Management and Medications:
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If a narcotic pain medicine was prescribed, do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking the medication. Do not exceed more than 3,000mg of ibuprofen and 3,000mg of tylenol (acetaminophen) in a 24 hour period. Medication maximums may be lower for patients with certain medical conditions.
Oral Hygiene:
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You can resume brushing and flossing the morning after surgery. Gently clean the areas surrounding the surgical sites, avoiding traumatizing the tissue. Avoid using water-pik devices directly into the surgical site. During healing, employ non-alcoholic mouthwash or gentle warm salt water rinses as needed to keep the healing areas clean. It's normal for dissolvable stitches to naturally fall out over the first or second week during daily activities such as brushing and eating.
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Bleeding Management:
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After your implant surgery, bleeding is typically minimal. In case of heavier bleeding, bite down firmly on gauze over the surgical site for 20-30 minutes. Replace gauze as needed until bleeding subsides. To prevent bleeding from restarting, avoid physical activity, vigorous rinsing, and drinking through straws for the first 48 hours. If bleeding resumes, repeat the gauze-biting process.
Swelling Reduction:
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To minimize swelling during the first 24 hours post-surgery, apply ice to your face in 15-minute intervals. Swelling is normal and usually peaks around days 2-3. If it worsens or persists, please contact our office. After 24 hours, you can use heat or cold for comfort.
Diet Recommendations:
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Wait until numbness subsides before eating to prevent accidentally biting your tongue, cheek, or lip. Opt for soft foods and plenty of fluids in the initial days. Avoid hot, spicy foods, as well as items with small pieces. Resume your normal diet as tolerated within the first week. Refrain from chewing directly on the implant site until your surgeon confirms complete healing (usually 2-3 months).
Pain Management and Medication:
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Follow your surgeon's instructions for pain medication, antibiotics, and other prescribed drugs. Begin pain medication before numbness fades. It's safe to take Ibuprofen and Tylenol together. Abstain from smoking and alcohol for at least one week post-surgery to minimize complications. If pain persists or worsens beyond the first few days, inform our office.
Oral Hygiene Practices:
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Maintain excellent oral hygiene before and after implant surgery. If possible, brush and floss before your appointment. Resume gentle brushing and flossing the day after surgery, especially around the implant site. Avoid using water-pik devices for one week after surgery. If the implant healing cap is visible, please turn off electric toothbrushes when cleaning the cap. If the healing cap happens to loosen, please call the office during business hours for instructions. Use non-alcoholic mouthwash or warm salt water rinses during healing.
Dental Appliances:
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Adhere to your surgeon's guidance regarding dentures, flippers, or other oral appliances. Avoid direct pressure on newly placed dental implants from any appliance.
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Bleeding:
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Continue biting down firmly on gauze over the extraction sites to halt bleeding. Maintain pressure for 20-30 minutes, then replace with fresh gauze if necessary. Refrain from strenuous activity, rinsing, or using straws for 48 hours, as these actions could restart bleeding. If bleeding recurs, repeat gauze pressure for 20-30 minutes until it subsides.
Swelling:
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Minimize swelling by applying cold to the area for the first 24 hours. You can use ice on and off every 15 minutes. Swelling typically peaks on day 2 or 3. Notify us if it worsens after this time. After 24 hours, use heat or cold based on your comfort preference.
Diet:
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Eat cautiously or wait until numbness subsides to avoid accidentally biting your mouth. Consume soft foods and ample fluids post-surgery, avoiding hot, spicy, or small, crunchy foods. Gradually reintroduce your regular diet within the first week.
Pain Control and Medication:
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Adhere to prescribed pain medication, antibiotics, and instructions. Begin pain medication before numbness wears off. Combining Ibuprofen and Tylenol is safe. Abstain from smoking and alcohol for a week post-surgery to minimize risks. Pain peaks around day 2 or 3; inform us if it persists.
Oral Care:
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Resume brushing and flossing the day after surgery. Brush gently around surgical sites. Avoid using water-pik devices for one week after surgery. Use non-alcoholic mouthwash or mild salt water rinses to clean healing areas. Dissolving stitches may naturally come off during everyday activities like brushing and eating.
Orthodontic Follow-up:
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Expect a gold chain near the surgical site, secured to your brace wire. Your orthodontist will activate it to align your impacted tooth. Plan to see your orthodontist 2-4 weeks after surgery to allow for healing.
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Bleeding Management:
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Following bone grafting or guided bone regeneration, minor bleeding is typical but generally minimal. For guided bone regeneration, it's advisable to avoid undue pressure and manipulation during the healing process to safeguard bone growth. Should more substantial bleeding occur, gently bite down on gauze over the surgical area. Maintain firm pressure for 20-30 minutes, replacing gauze as needed until bleeding subsides (gauze should be white, pink, or slightly red tinged at this point). Refrain from strenuous activities, vigorous rinsing, or straw usage for 48 hours post-surgery to prevent re-bleeding. If bleeding resumes, repeat gauze pressure for 20-30 minutes until bleeding ceases again.
Swelling Management:
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To minimize swelling, apply ice to your face in 15-minute intervals during the initial 24 hours post-surgery. Swelling is normal and typically peaks around the second or third day. If swelling persists and worsens, please inform our office. After 24 hours, you can choose between heat and cold for comfort.
Dietary Considerations:
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Consume food cautiously, or wait until numbness subsides, to prevent accidentally biting your tongue, cheek, or lip. Opt for soft foods and ample fluids for several days post-surgery. Avoid excessively hot or spicy foods, as well as those with small pieces like rice, seeds, or granola. Gradually reintroduce your regular diet over the initial week.
Pain Management and Medication:
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Adhere to your surgeon's instructions regarding pain medication, antibiotics, and other prescribed drugs. Begin pain medication even before numbness fades. Combining ibuprofen and Tylenol is safe and effective. For optimal bone grafting outcomes, avoid alcohol and smoking during healing. Pain usually peaks around the second or third day, and if persistent, contact our office.
Oral Hygiene:
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Resume brushing and flossing the morning following surgery. Gently clean areas around surgical sites, avoiding trauma to the tissue. Throughout healing, use non-alcoholic mouthwash or warm salt water rinses to maintain cleanliness.
Stitches and Granules:
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Most bone grafts feature dissolvable stitches that will naturally dissolve. Some cases involve non-dissolvable stitches, requiring a follow-up for removal. It's normal to observe small granules of loose grafting material in your mouth during the early stages of healing.
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Bleeding Management:
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Slight bleeding after a sinus lift is common and typically minimal. If more substantial bleeding occurs, gently bite down on gauze over the surgical area. Apply consistent gauze pressure for 20-30 minutes, replacing gauze as needed for another 20-30 minutes until bleeding subsides (gauze should be white, pink, or slightly red tinged). Avoid strenuous activities, forceful rinsing, or using straws for 48 hours post-surgery to prevent potential re-bleeding. If bleeding resumes, repeat gauze pressure for 20-30 minutes until it halts.
Swelling Management:
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To minimize swelling, apply ice to your face in 15-minute intervals during the initial 24 hours post-surgery. Swelling is normal and usually peaks around the second or third day. Notify our office if swelling persists or worsens. After 24 hours, choose between heat and cold based on your comfort.
Dietary Considerations:
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Eat cautiously or wait until numbness subsides to prevent unintentionally biting your tongue, cheek, or lip. Consume soft foods and abundant fluids for a few days post-surgery. Avoid excessively hot, spicy foods, or those with small components like rice, seeds, or granola. Gradually reintroduce your regular diet over the first week.
Pain Management and Medication:
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Adhere to your surgeon's instructions for pain medication, antibiotics, and other prescribed drugs. Initiate pain medication even before numbness fades. Combining ibuprofen and Tylenol is safe and effective. For optimal bone grafting outcomes, abstain from alcohol and smoking during healing. Pain typically peaks around the second or third day, and if persistent, contact our office.
Oral Hygiene:
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Resume brushing and flossing the morning following surgery. Gently clean areas around surgical sites, avoiding tissue trauma. During healing, use non-alcoholic mouthwash or warm salt water rinses as necessary to maintain cleanliness.
Sinus Precautions (first three weeks):
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Congestion post-sinus lift is expected. Over-the-counter decongestants like Flonase can help alleviate this.
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If sneezing is necessary, do so with your mouth open to avoid building sinus pressure that could compromise grafting.
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Refrain from forceful nose-blowing during this period to protect the surgical site.
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Preventative Measures:
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Refrain from consuming Advil, Aspirin, blood thinners, Vitamin E, ginger, Ginko bilboa, ginseng, and garlic for one week both before and after the procedure. These substances can heighten the risk of undesired bruising.
Post-Treatment Guidelines:
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In the initial 12 hours after treatment, avoid any manipulation or massage of the injected areas. Such actions can inadvertently spread the Botox to unintended regions, leading to less-than-optimal outcomes.
Immediate Aftercare:
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For the subsequent 6 hours, maintain an upright head position. It's recommended to avoid lying down or leaning over during this period to promote optimal results.
Effect Duration:
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Allow up to 10 days for the full effects to manifest following the procedure. Your patience will be rewarded with the desired outcome.
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