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 Pre and Post Operative Instructions
POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ORAL SUGERY
- Bite on gauze for 30 minutes. Do not chew on the gauze. Change gauze every 30-45 min depending on bleeding.
- Do not smoke for 24 hours.
- Do not use a straw to drink for 24 hours.
- Brush remaining teeth 3 times daily, but do not rinse or use a mouthwash the day of surgery.
- Take medicines as directed.
- If pain increases after 48 hours or if abnormal bleeding continues, call your dentist.
- To prevent bleeding and swelling, keep your head elevated on 2 or 3 pillows while you rest and/or sleep.
- Do not spit. Spitting will cause more bleeding. Excess saliva and a little blood may appear as a lot of bleeding.
- If bleeding starts again, put gauze, a clean white cloth, or a damp tea bag over the bleeding area and bite on it with firm steady pressure for 1 hour. Do not chew on it.
- Ice packs can be used immediately after surgery and for the next 24 hours to reduce swelling. Keep ice packs on 20 minutes and off 20 minutes.
- Black and blue marks are bruises and may occur after surgery. Usually you do not notice them. Sometimes the skin is discolored. Do not worry about this.
- Drink lots of liquids and you must eat.
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POST OPERATIVE PAIN CONTROL
We will always do our best to help prevent post-operative discomfort, but as with any dental procedure where hard (tooth), and soft (gum) issue is manipulated, there is bound to be some discomfort. The following protocol will be of the benefit to patients, provided they are NOT ALLERGIC TO ASPIRIN OR TYLENOL:
- Take 600 mg. of Ibuprofen (trade names: Advil, Nuprin, Motrin IB, or just generic Ibuprofen 200 mg.) To get a total of 600 mg., you must take 3 tablets of the 200 mg. form. We prefer 600 mg. (3 tablets) to 200 mg., or 400 mg. because the first 400 mg. is for pain relief, the next 200 mg. is anti-inflammatory in nature and actually helps prevent pain. Most dental pain is due to inflammation thus, by taking 600 mg. every six hours, you will actually help prevent pain. If in the event the 600 mg. Ibuprofen upsets your stomach, then cut back to 1 or 2 tablets.
- If the Ibuprofen does not control your pain, then take 2 tablets of Tylenol Extra Strength (Tylenol 500 mg., APAP 500 mg., or generic Acetaminophen 500 mg.) every six hours, along with the Ibuprofen 600 mg.
- If the Ibuprofen and Tylenol Extra Strength combination does not control your pain, then call our office (even after normal office hours, an emergency contact number will be provided on the answering machine) and we will phone in a prescription to the pharmacy for you. We will have you take the Ibuprofen 600 mg., one Tylenol Extra Strength, and one Narcotic tablet every six hours. If this does not control the pain, then take the Ibuprofen 600 mg. and two Narcotic tablets. (Note: Each prescription Narcotic tablet, will have Tylenol in it as well as Narcotic).
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PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR IV SEDATION
- DO NOT eat or drink 6 hours before your scheduled appointment. If you must take medication, a small amount of water is acceptable.
- DO WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING A short sleeve shirt is ideal for access to your arm. If it’s cold, wear something warm that you can remove over a short sleeve shirt.
- YOU MUST be escorted home after IV sedation. The medication that is used during your sedation impairs your ability to drive. Your escort does not have to be present during your surgery. If your escort is not staying during your procedure please leave their contact information with the front desk.
- IT’S IMPORTANT that you inform your Doctor of any changes in medications and allergies prior to your sedation.
- We recommend that after your appointment you go home and rest for a few hours. The medication used during your sedation will probably leave you drowsy. After resting for a few hours it is important that you drink plenty of fluids. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours.
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WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL INFORMATION
- TIMING! It is unwise to have significant surgery within two weeks of a planned trip away from the area. You should remain in the area after removal of the wisdom teeth so that if you have any problems following surgery, we can take care of them.
- WHAT IS AN IMPACTED TOOTH? All teeth are formed deep within the jawbones and erupt into the dental arch. If a tooth is blocked by another tooth or other obstruction and cannot reach its normal position, it is said to be impacted.
- WHAT HARM DO IMPACTED TEETH DO? The most common problem occurring is infection of surrounding tissue (pericoronitis). This infection may spread to the cheeks, throat, or neck causing severe pain, swelling, stiffness, and a generalized infection of the entire body. Impacted teeth may decay causing severe toothache or abscess. They may also damage the roots and supporting bone of adjacent teeth causing their loss; and on rare occasions, a cyst or tumor may develop around an impacted tooth.
- HOW ARE IMPACTED TEETH REMOVED? In most cases surgery can be accomplished during one appointment. There are basically three methods to provide anesthesia: 1) local anesthesia, 2) intravenous sedation combined with local anesthetic, 3) general anesthesia which may be done in the office or in a hospital setting. The anesthetic technique will be tailored to the patients’ needs and health status. The surgery will be accomplished, in most cases, through cuts in the gingival tissues (gums), and involves the removal of bone and the sectioning of the impacted tooth into multiple pieces. THIS IS AN OPERATION IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD!
WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED AFTER SURGERY?
- DISCOMFORT: Since this is an operation, discomfort after surgery is to be expected. The first day and evening is usually the most uncomfortable period. Pain medication will be prescribed to keep you as comfortable as possible.
- SWELLING: A variable amount of swelling can be expected in one or both cheeks. Swelling will normally take about two days to reach its peak and about one week to resolve.
- TRISMUS: The jaw muscles may stiffen after surgery causing a limited opening of the mouth for several days. The amount of muscle stiffness will determine what can be eaten after surgery.
- BLEEDING: Some bleeding is to be expected for several hours after surgery, with oozing up to 48 hours. This should be minimal and rarely causes problems.
- INFECTION: The surgical site can become infected up to six weeks after surgery. Any unusual pain, swelling or bleeding after the first few days should be reported to the surgeon.
- DRY SOCKET: The blood clot in the socket may break down prematurely about two to four days after surgery causing an increase in pain. This condition is usually treated by packing the socket with medicated gauze.
- PARESTHESIA: This main nerve of the lower jaw may be disrupted at the time of surgery. This is a rare condition which can cause numbing of the tongue, teeth, gums, lips, and chin. This usually is temporary, but may be permanent.
All questions should be answered prior to surgery. Should a problem occur after surgery, return to the office for evaluation.
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EMERGENCIES
Emergencies usually fall into several different categories.
- Accidents and Trauma
- Allergic reactions to medications
- Infections/Swelling
- Pain
- Lost, broken, or loose temporary crowns, bridges, etc.
Our office does extend to our patients after hour emergency coverage. If you have an emergency and need to reach the doctor after hours, please call the office and follow the instructions.
If you are in need of medication, please have the phone number of the pharmacy you use available when the Dr. returns your call.
No prescriptions for medications will be phoned into a pharmacy after hours unless you are a patient of record in our office.
If you have questions or complications arise, please contact our office 889-2211. If after hours, contact your dentist at the following numbers.
Dr. Greg Schneider 614-374-7070
Dr. Matt Schneider 614-374-7675
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