Surgical Instructions
Our Malone Patient’s Guide to Dental Surgery
Patients deserve to know about their treatment from start to finish, so Dr. Poupore and his staff strive to provide answers and support whenever needed. The information below can help patients start the research process.
Getting Ready for Anesthesia
Patients will need to prepare for anesthesia in several ways. For 6 hours prior to the surgery, patients should fast (both food and water.) Patients should not smoke for at least 12 hours before the surgery. Anesthesia requires a recovery period so patients aren’t able to drive after their surgery. Patients should arrange for a friend or family to bring them home. Patients should not wear jewelry, dentures, fingernail polish or contact lenses to their dental surgery. The dentist will review medications with the patient ahead of time. Some medicines may need to be stopped before the surgery.
What to Do Following Wisdom Tooth Removal
After a patient undergoes wisdom teeth extraction, they will need to closely follow post-op guidelines to heal well. After the wisdom teeth are removed, the dentist will place gauze over the surgical area to help stop blood flow. This needs to stay in place for a minimum of 45 minutes before removal. Patients should avoid drinking from a straw, as this can put strain on the sutures and may prevent the blood from clotting. Patients should rest the day of the wisdom teeth extraction but can go back to their usual routine the day afterwards if they feel ready. Pain medicine should be used as prescribed once the anesthesia wears off.
Take it Easy After Implant Surgery
Following dental implant surgery, patients should rest for 2 to 3 days. This can help with healing and can minimize bleeding. Patients should stay well hydrated but should avoid very cold or very hot drinks. Many people find that an ice compress on the face can alleviate pain and swelling after dental implant surgery. By the third day, most people feel much better. It’s normal to have a slight temperature (1 to 2 degrees higher than normal,) but this will return to normal within a few days. Patients can eat after dental implant surgery, but should avoid chewing in the area of the bone graft.
What to Do After Impacted Tooth Removal
After the removal of an impacted tooth, patients should expect to have some swelling and some moderate discomfort. This is normal, and it will abate within a few days. The dentist can prescribe pain medicine that will alleviate the pain, and cold compresses can be very helpful in reducing swelling. Patients should typically eat a soft diet for at least a few days so that the extraction site can heal properly.
Follow Your Aftercare Instructions After Tooth Removal
Standard teeth extractions are simple in most cases. Patients can expect swelling inside the mouth and sometimes in the eye area as well. The swelling is usually at its peak around day two. At this point, the eye area may be discolored, but this is relieved with warm compresses. Some patients experience a sore throat after extractions, as the muscles in the area are sore. Patients will typically see the dentist within a week of the tooth extractions to check on their healing and discuss any symptoms or issues that they are having. As with any dental surgery, closely following all instructions and guidelines from the dentist is very important. While it may be slightly inconvenient to take a few days to heal and rest, this time off is well worth the investment because it will allow the patient to achieve greatly improved oral health in the long term.