Periodontology and Dental Implants of RVC, PC : Post Operative

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR OSSEOUS SURGERY

Some bleeding after surgery is normal. If the bleeding is excessive, place gauze or a moistened (not soaked) tea bag over the area and apply firm pressure for 15 to 30 minutes. This is usually accomplished by placing gauze on either side of the surgical area and "pinching" the gum line. DO NOT check to see if the bleeding has stopped until 15 to 30 minutes later. If the bleeding continues, repeat the above procedure.
Swelling occurs, usually the next day, after a small number of cases. To minimize swelling, ice should be placed on the outside of the face adjacent to where the surgery was done for the first 6 to 8 hours after surgery. This should be placed for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. The ice is removed periodically to prevent frostbite from occurring. I suggest that everyone use ice because it can minimize a lot of discomfort later on. If you notice swelling the next day, place warm moist compresses, not ice, on the swollen area.
Antibiotics are usually prescribed to minimize the risk of infection. Please be sure to take the antibiotics for at least the first 3 to 4 days and continue for the entire week if the surgical area does not feel completely comfortable.
DO NOT RISE YOUR MOUTH OR DRINK THROUGH A STRAW for the first day of the surgery. After the first night, you should rinse your mouth regularly with salt water (1 cup of warm water to 1 teaspoon salt) or, it you need to limit your salt intake or if you have high blood pressure, peroxide and water ( 50:50). This will speed healing and promote better breath. It will also make your mouth feel better.
You can eat what you wish after surgery once the novocaine has worn off. Chew on the other side of your mouth. DO NOT BITE YOUR FOOD. Try to cut it into smaller pieces first. Also try to avoid hot, cold or spicy foods, as they may be uncomfortable in your mouth. It is important that you are nourished adequately to promote healing. Return to a normal diet as quickly as possible.
I usually use dissolving sutures. If you feel threads in your mouth, they are sutures. You can cut the threads as short as possible if they bother you. If not, leave them alone and they will just dissolve.
If your lips become dry or chapped or if cracks develop at the corner of the mouth, use Vaseline often to soften your lips especially at bedtime.
Smoking has been shown to delay healing in the mouth and should be eliminated if possible for the week following surgery.
Start to brush the surgical site after about 5 days. You can soften the bristles of the brush by running them under hot tap water. Be gentle at first and gradually increase the pressure on the bristles, as you feel more comfortable. You can try to floss after about 5 days also.
If a dressing has been placed, keep it clean by swabbing it with a Q-tip, with salt and water or peroxide and water on it. Please try not to disturb it. It will be removed at your next visit. If it comes loose or if pieces break off, you can gently remove it. If you have any problems with the pack, please call our office.
Take the painkiller that has been prescribed for at least the first day. If I prescribed Motrin, you can take one pill every 4 hours as necessary. If I prescribed something else, take it as directed. If the prescription is not working, please call the office. I can usually prescribe something stronger.
If you have any questions, call the office. If I am not in, I have voice mail. If the question cannot wait or if you need to contact me immediately, call my emergency number, (516)455-1351. Leave a message after the beep with your name and telephone number and I will call you back right away. In most cases, your questions or problems are easy for me to handle and I would rather that you called than waited until office hours resumed. If you do not get a return call within one hour, call my cellular telephone number listed below, (516)526-9857.

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXTRACTIONS

Apply ice to the outside of the face where the tooth was extracted. Use firm pressure for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. Do this for the first 6-8 hours only.
In the event of swelling the next day, more ice will not help. Warm compresses might make you feel better and they will make the swelling resolve more quickly.
Do not rinse your mouth or drink through a straw for the day of surgery. Do not eat anything on the side where the least the first several days and ideally for the first week. All of these things will cause bleeding, discomfort or delay healing.
You may eat following extractions after the novacaine has worn off. Please be sure to chew on the other side and don't eat anything too hot, too cold or too spicy.
After the first day frequent warm water rinses with either a teaspoon of salt or 2 ounces of peroxide in it will help aid healing. If you have a high blood pressure, use the peroxide.
If you experience bleeding, bite on a rolled gauze to apply pressure to the surgerized site. If there are no opposing teeth, apply pressure with your fingers by pinching the gum line at the surgical site. Firm pressure should be applied for 10-15 minutes. Do not look to see if it has stopped for at least 10-15 minutes. If this does not stop the bleeding, try a moistened (not soaked) teabag. If this does not work, call the office.

In case of an emergency you can contact Dr. Hasday by beeper @ (516) 455-1351. It works like an answering machine, just leave a message including your phone number in and he will call you back. If you do not receive a return call within one hour, please call Dr. Hasday's cellular telephone, (516) 526-9857.

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMPLANTS

Some bleeding after surgery is normal. If the bleeding is excessive, place gauze or a moistened (not soaked) tea bag over the area and apply firm pressure for 15-30 minutes. Do not check to see if the bleeding has stopped until 10-30 minutes later.
To minimize swelling, an ice bag should be applied to the outside of the face adjacent to where the implants were placed for the first 6-8 hours after surgery. This should be done for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off.
If swelling occurs, it will usually start the day after surgery. This is a normal and common occurrence, and it may be accompanied be bruising. Do not be alarmed if swelling occurs. If it seems excessive, do not hesitate to call Dr. Hasday at (516) 455-1351. Do not rinse your mouth or drink through a straw for the first day after surgery. After the first night, you should rinse your mouth regularly with salt water (1 cup off warm water to 1 teaspoon salt) or peroxide and water (50:50). This will help healing and promote better breath. It will also make your mouth feel better.
Soft foods are generally advisable following surgery and for the first few days. Fluids, soups, yogurt, soft cheeses and foods mixed in a blender are all good choices. It is important that you are nourished adequately to promote healing. Return to a normal diet as quickly as possible.
If your lips become dry or chapped of if cracks develop at the corners of your mouth, use Vaseline often to soften your lips, especially at bedtime.
Start to brush the surgical site after about 5 days. You can soften the bristles of the brush by running them under hot tap water. Be gentle at first and gradually increase the pressure on the bristles, as you feel more comfortable. You can try to floss after bout 5 days also.
If you have a denture, please leave it out of your mouth as much as possible for the first week or two after the surgery. You can probably wear it immediately after the surgery when necessary.
Be certain to take the prescribed antibiotic at the recommended dosage and to return to the office for all scheduled postoperative visits. These will usually be weekly for the first few weeks and monthly until second stage surgery.
Smoking has been shown to delay healing in the mouth and should be completely eliminated for at least the first week or two following the surgery. Smoking after surgery is one possible cause for early implant failure.

In case of an emergency you can contact Dr. Hasday by beeper @ (516) 455-1351. It works like an answering machine, just leave a message including your phone number in and he will call you back. If you do not receive a return call within one hour, please call Dr. Hasday's cellular telephone, (516) 526-9857.