Care Instructions

Pre-operative Instructions

The following instructions may be helpful when preparing for your upcoming surgery. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any last-minute questions. We can be reached at Livingston Office (973) 625-1491 during regular business hours.

What to Do Before My Surgery

You should receive your pre/post-operative prescriptions with this instruction sheet. For your convenience, please have them filled out prior to your scheduled surgery unless they have been previously phoned into the pharmacy of your choice. Please bring your filled prescriptions with you to your appointment.

It may be important to stop taking aspirin and non-steroidal such as Motrin and Advil, 7-10 days prior to your surgery. If you are taking Coumadin or another blood thinner, remember to discontinue them as directed. If you take antibiotic premed, please take it as directed before your surgery. You will feel better if you have eaten prior to surgery. We keep the office cool, so dress warmly. You may bring your iPod or MP3 player with you if you like.

In order to evaluate your progress and healing, we will see you for weekly post-operative checks during the first 1-5 weeks. In most cases, after surgery, we will also look forward to seeing you back for a periodontal maintenance cleaning and an examination of tissue maturation about 10-12 weeks following the surgery.

Antibiotics

Please alert the office to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics. You will be prescribed an antibiotic if our doctor determines it to be necessary. Take as directed until gone. It is advisable not to take these medications on an empty stomach, as nausea may result. For women taking birth control pills, be advised that antibiotics may interfere with their effectiveness.

Sedatives

If you elect to use one of the following oral sedatives you must have a ride to and from the office. Please bring your remaining tablets with you. Remember, we encourage you to eat prior to your surgery.

Ativan (Lorazepam)
Triazolam (Halcion)

Post-operative Instructions

These instructions apply to the surgical procedure just completed. They are designed to help you minimize post-surgical discomfort and inform you of any situation that may require special attention.

Pain Medications

It is not unusual to have discomfort for at least the first week following your surgical procedure. You may be given a prescription for medication to help you tolerate the post-surgical recovery period. Please take your medications as directed. It is advisable not to take pain medication on an empty stomach, as nausea may result.

As an alternative to prescription medications, taking a combination of over-the-counter Ibuprofen and Tylenol to be effective. You may take the combination in the following dosages: 3 Advil (200mg each) and 1 Extra Strength Tylenol (500 mg), every 6 hours as needed for up to 3 days even if you are taking blood thinners.

Note: When taking any prescribed medication containing Acetaminophen (Tylenol), i.e.; Percocet, Hydrocodone, Vicoden or Tylenol with Codeine, you should not take additional Tylenol so as not to exceed the safety level of Acetaminophen. Please contact the office with any questions you may have.
Antibiotics

Please alert the office to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics. An antibiotic may be prescribed following your surgical procedure. Take as directed until gone. It is advisable not to take these medications on an empty stomach, as nausea may result. For women taking birth control pills, be advised that antibiotics may interfere with their effectiveness.

Swelling

Swelling may occur following your surgical procedure and will typically increase 2-3 days after the procedure. To minimize the swelling, place an ice pack over the outside cheek area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Continue using ice for 2-3 days following the procedure as often as possible.

Bleeding

A small amount of bleeding is normal. If excessive or continuous bleeding occurs: Do not rinse your mouth.
Elevate your head when lying down. Apply moistened gauze to the immediate area with moderate pressure for 20 minutes; repeat if necessary.
Enclose a moistened tea bag in a gauze square and apply pressure for 20 minutes.
Call the office if the bleeding persists.

Diet

Until comfortable, avoid chewing on the side where the surgery was completed.
A soft diet is recommended. Foods such as cottage cheese, oatmeal, soup, eggs, yogurt, pasta, mashed potatoes, casseroles, fish, poultry, soft meats and fruits are more easily eaten. However, fruits with seeds on the outside (ie - strawberries, raspberries, blackberries) should be avoided until your stitches are removed.
Avoid foods with seeds (poppy, sesame, flax, chia, caraway, etc.) until your stitches are removed.
Remember, adequate nutrition is essential for feeling better as well as for healing.

Smoking

Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks following your surgical procedure. It will significantly slow healing and can compromise results.

Alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.

Rinsing

Do not rinse for the first 24 hours. After that, we recommend Listerine Antiseptic mouthrinse twice a day.

Brushing

Do not brush the surgical site. You may resume normal brushing/flossing in other areas the following day.

Suture Removal

You may notice increased discomfort 3-4 days after the surgical procedure. As the tissues begin to heal, they may pull against the stitches. You may choose to take some form of pain medication one hour prior to your suture removal appointment to minimize tenderness. If you are a patient for whom Antibiotic Pre-Medication is generally required, you do not need to take the prescribed antibiotics prior to your suture removal appointment.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions or concerns during regular office hours, please do not hesitate to contact us at Livingston Office (973) 625-1491.