Patient Information

Surgical Instructions

A) Pre-Operative Instructions for Patients Undergoing Intravenous General Anesthesia

  • Please do not have anything to eat or drink 6 hours prior to the appointment.
  • A responsible adult must accompany the patient and remain in the office during the procedure.
  • The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours after the procedure.
  • Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up past the elbow.
  • Contact lenses, jewelry, artificial nails and acrylic nail polish, should be removed prior to surgery.
  • You should take any pre-operative medication as directed by us.
  • If you have recently become sick or have been diagnosed with a new illness, please call and discuss these changes with the doctors. In some instances the surgery will have to be re-scheduled.

B) Normal Considerations after Surgery

  • The surgical area will swell to different degrees for everyone.
  • Swelling usually peaks on the 2nd or 3rd post-operative day.
  • The IV site may be tender or become "black and blue" — this is not unusual. If the area becomes red or swollen please call the doctor.
  • Numbness of the lips, tongue, and jaw may persist for 2 or more hours. Be careful when chewing and biting.
  • As discussed pre-operatively, extraction of teeth in the lower jaw may result in numbness that lasts for several days, weeks, or months. If this should occur, please call the doctor and make an appointment for a follow-up visit within one or two weeks to evaluate the area. In most cases, the numbness slowly resolves. In other instances, another procedure or referral may be made for further treatment or consulation.
  • Stiffness of the jaw muscles (trismus) may cause difficulty opening the jaws for a few days.
  • The degree and severity of pain is different for everyone, but usually is related to the complexity of a particular procedure. The doctor will prescribe an appropriate pain medication to manage the post-operative discomfort.
  • You may develop a slight earache or sore throat and your teeth may ache temporarily.
  • The corners of your mouth may be stretched out and become dry or cracked. Keep them moist with cream or ointment.
  • There may be a slight elevation of temperature to 99 or 100 degrees for 1 or 2 days. If this persists further, please call the doctor.
  • It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of surgery. Black and blue areas on the face, cheek, and neck are not uncommon.
  • Women must note that some antibiotics are associated with the decreased effectiveness of birth control pills. Please check with your doctor if you have any questions.

C) Care of the Surgical Area after Surgery

  • Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours after Oral Surgery.
  • Keep fingers and tongue away from the surgical site.
  • Use ice packs on the surgical site for 24 hours. Apply ice 20 minutes on — 10 minutes off. Bags of frozen peas or corn may double as ice packs if necessary. Stay away from very hot liquids.
  • For mild to moderate discomfort you may take Tylenol 500 mg every 6 hours if directed by your doctor or Ibuprofen 400 mg every 4-6 hours.
  • If you take a blood thinner then you should refrain from taking Motrin, Aleve, or Advil post-operatively. If you have any questions please ask the doctor. Drink plenty of fluids and eat a diet of soft foods for 2 or 3 days. Salt water rinses may be initiated 24 hours after surgery. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse for 30 to 60 seconds.

D) Bleeding after Surgery

  • A certain amount of bleeding or oozing in the surgical area is normal for up to 24 hours after surgery.
  • To control bleeding immediately after surgery keep steady pressure on the area with a folded piece of gauze. You may utilize your finger to apply pressure or bite firmly on the gauze. Change the gauze every 30 minutes to control the oozing. It is not necessary to keep gauze in your mouth all day long, this may prolong the bleeding.
  • Some people find that a moist tea bag may work better than the gauze. If you sense that the bleeding is more steady than an ooze, then call the doctor to discuss your options to slow the bleeding.
  • Occasionally, patients may be asked to return to the office for evaluation and treatment of bleeding. Sometimes the area needs to be packed and resutured by the doctor.

E) Oral Hygiene following Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

  • Rinsing may be initiated 24 hours after surgery. A solution of warm salt water as discussed above may help to keep the area clear of food particles and debris from the socket area.
  • You may use a gentle or diluted mouth rinse twice a day as necessary.
  • You may brush your teeth, but be careful not to disturb the surgical site or loosen the blood clot. Please floss as usual except directly in the socket or suture areas.
  • Maintain meals at the usual times. Eat soft, nutritious foods and keep hydrated with plenty of fluids. Add solid foods to your diet as soon as they are comfortable to chew.
  • If you develop re-bleeding, increased swelling after the first 2 or 3 days (including neck or throat swelling), or difficulty opening your mouth after a few days please call the doctor.