Routine Post Surgical Instruction

Medications / Prescriptions:

When an antibiotic is prescribed, it is to be taken until finished. Pain medication is to be taken following instructions on bottle. No driving when taking narcotic pain medication. The local anesthetic will wear off within 1/2 an hour to 4 hours following surgery. It is important to take pain medication prior to onset of discomfort. It is important to eat prior to taking pain medications. Not eating can cause nausea and vomiting.
If a rash should develop, itching difficulty breathing, wheezing, nasal congestion or swelling around the eyes not related to the surgery stop taking all medications and notify our office immediately.

ATTENTION: All female patients utilizing birth control pills, please be advised that if the doctor prescribes the use of antibiotics, an alternative form of birth control must be utilized until you next full cycle.

Bleeding:
A small amount of oozing is normal. Pink or blood tinged saliva may be present for 24-48 hours. You may wish to cover your pillow with a towel to avoid staining. Rest with your head elevated on 2 or more pillows for the first day.
Excessive bleeding can be controlled by applying pressure to the wound or by placing a moistened tea bag over the surgical site for one hour. Should the area fail to stop actively bleeding call Dr. Lupovici immediately.

Eating:
Avoid very hot and cold foods and beverages. Consume room temperature food and drinks. Use common sense. Eat on the opposite side of your mouth as necessary. No alcoholic beverages for 24-48 hours.

Swelling:
Some swelling after surgery is normal; don’t be alarmed. It takes 3 days for surgical swelling to reach a peak before subsiding. Ice packs are used to reduce swelling and produce a local numbness immediately after surgery. Ice packs should be applied during the first 24 hours after surgery. Plastic bags filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a damp towel or commercial ice bag are convenient forms of application. Apply for 20 minutes then stop for 10 minutes. After discontinuing ice, switch to moist heat. (hot water bottle or warm wash cloth).

Rinsing:
Avoid rinsing, spitting, drinking through straw and alcohol containing mouth washes for the first 24 hours as it may prematurely dissolve or dislodge the desired blood clot. A gentle rinsing with warm salt water (one half teaspoon salt in large glass) after meals and at bedtime is important after this period. After 72 hours a more vigorous rinsing is encouraged after meals and at bedtime for two weeks.

Bruising:
Bruising may be present to varying degrees. It will subside over a
period 5-10 days.

Smoking:
We advise you not to smoke at all during the first 24-72 hours after surgery. Smoking can increase pain and lead to poor healing. The longer you refrain from smoking the less chance you have of postoperative problems.

Activity:
Avoid excessive physical exertion and fatigue during the immediate post-operative period. Obtain adequate sleep.

Tooth Brushing:
No brushing the involved area the day of surgery. Brushing of the immediate surgical site should be discontinued for approximately one week after surgery to prevent disruption of the healing tissues. Keep area clean by rinsing. The remainder of the mouth should be brushed normally. When you resume brushing, the surgical site may experience a small amount of bleeding or discomfort, but this is normal.

Sutures/Dressing:
A variety of sutures and dressing may be used as part of your treatment and you may feel them with you tongue. They will either dissolve on their own or be removed at the appropriate postoperative time.

* Refer to Routine Post Surgical Instruction (link to above)

1. Take Pain medications every 4 to 6 hours, for a minimum of one day. Take stronger pain medication as needed. Discontinue if discomfort subsides.
2. Take antibiotic as prescribed. Finishing prescribed dose.
3. Apply Ice to site 20 minutes on 10 off- for 24 hours
4. Avoid extremely hot or cold food and beverages
5. Expect minor bleeding (if more general instructions)
6. Rinse as instructed
7. No exercise for 24 hours
Dr Lupovici is genuinely concerned about your wellbeing and post operative healing. If you experience any symptoms, which you feel are unusual, please feel free to contact us at any time.

* Refer to Routine Post Surgical Instruction (link to above)

1. Take Pain medications every 4 to 6 hours, for a minimum of one day. Take stronger pain medication as needed. Discontinue if discomfort subsides.
2. Take antibiotic as prescribed. Finishing prescribed dose.
3. Apply Ice to site 20 minutes on 10 off.
4. Avoid extremely hot or cold food and beverages
5. Do Not Create Positive pressure in mouth (for example drinking through straw)
6. Expect minor bleeding (if more general instructions)
7. Rinse with Peridex as instructed
8. No Brushing of the graft area for 12 weeks
9. No exercise for 24 hours

Dr Lupovici is genuinely concerned about your wellbeing and post operative healing. If you experience any symptoms, which you feel are unusual, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Dental Implants

Placement of dental implants is not usually associated with excessive discomfort.

* Refer to Routine Post Surgical Instruction (link to above)

1. Take Pain medications every 4 to 6 hours, for a minimum of one day. Take stronger pain medication as needed. Discontinue if discomfort subsides.
2. Take antibiotic as prescribed. Finishing prescribed dose.
3. Apply Ice to site 20 minutes on 10 off.
4. Avoid extremely hot or cold food and beverages
5. Do Not Create Positive pressure in mouth (for example drinking through straw)
6. Expect minor bleeding (if more general instructions)
7. Rinse with Listerine, Peridex or water as instructed
8. No exercise for 24 hours

Dr Lupovici is genuinely concerned about your wellbeing and post operative healing. If you experience any symptoms, which you feel are unusual, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Sinus Augmentation

* Refer to Routine Post Surgical Instruction (link to above)

1. Do Not Blow nose
2. Take Pain medications every 4 to 6 hours, for a minimum of one day. Take stronger pain medication as needed. Discontinue if discomfort subsides.
3. Take antibiotic as prescribed. Finishing prescribed dose.
4. Apply Ice to site 20 minutes on 10 off.
5. Avoid extremely hot or cold food and beverages
6. Do Not Create Positive pressure in mouth (for example drinking through straw)
7. Expect minor bleeding (if more general instructions)
8. Expect a minor Nose bleed
9. Sneeze with your mouth open
10. Rinse with Listerine, Peridex or water as instructed
11. No exercise for 24 hours
12. You may be aware of small granules in your mouth for the next few days. This is not unusual, as your graft is mainly made of particles and some excess particles will be lost.
13. If you feel congested, you may need to use antihistamines or decongestants. If you do, Use over the counter products such as Sudafed, Tavist-D or Dimetapp. I would also suggest that you avoid nasal sprays unless they are saline.

Dr Lupovici is genuinely concerned about your wellbeing and post operative healing. If you experience any symptoms, which you feel are unusual, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Guided Bone Regeneration/ Augmentation

* Refer to Routine Post Surgical Instruction (link to above)

1. Take Pain medications every 4 to 6 hours, for a minimum of one day. Take stronger pain medication as needed. Discontinue if discomfort subsides.
2. Take antibiotic as prescribed. Finishing prescribed dose.
3. Apply Ice to site 20 minutes on 10 off.
4. Avoid extremely hot or cold food and beverages
5. Do Not Create Positive pressure in mouth (for example drinking through straw)
6. Expect minor bleeding (if more general instructions)
7. Rinse with Peridex as instructed
8. No exercise for 24 hours

Dr Lupovici is genuinely concerned about your wellbeing and post operative healing. If you experience any symptoms, which you feel are unusual, please feel free to contact us at any time.