Surgical Instructions

Pre-Operative Instructions

Download them here.

If you have been given a prescription please have it filled prior to the day of the surgery and start taking medications as directed. Do not start taking medications until advised to do so! Please bring filled prescription with you to the appointment.

If you are taking anticoagulant medications such as Coumadin, Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, consult with your physician. These medications may need to be temporarily discontinued before surgery and resumed three days after surgery.

Eat a good meal, preferably protein and carbohydrate, but little sugar (fruit is good).  To secure optimal dental anesthesia during your dental appointment, avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, or tobacco.

On the day of the surgery, please wear loose fitting clothing and comfortable shoes. Leave all valuables at home.

Following surgery you will need to have a soft diet. Please make sure that you have a week’s worth of soft food at home. We recommend the following foods: yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, Ensure or other protein shakes, creamed soups, steamed or pureed vegetables, apple sauce, eggs, oatmeal, pasta, soft bread. Avoid alcohol and spicy or acidic foods as they can interfere with healing.

If you are having Ladies, please remove nail polish or artificial nails for monitoring vitals during surgery. Please refrain from using make-up around the mouth.

IV sedation, do not eat or drink 8 hours prior to surgery. Take your medications as your physician recommends with some water. Please do not drink any water 2 hours prior to sedation. Please arrange for a driver to bring you to the appointment, take you home, and stay with your for a few hours as the sedative medication wears off.

Post Operative Instructions

Discomfort– As with any surgical procedure,some discomfort is anticipated. You must take all prescribed medication as directed, following the procedure,to keep pain to a minimum. If you have been prescribed Vicodin or Norco (Hydrocodone) or any type of sedation, you may NOT drive, operate machinery, or sign any legal documents for 24 hours after the last dose. NEVER COMBINE ALCOHOL AND ANY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION.

Brushing–Please avoid brushing and flossing the surgical site! Use the oral rinse instead. You can continue to brush and floss the rest of your teeth. Do not use an electric toothbrush until cleared to do so.

Rinse Instructions– Rinse GENTLY with Chlorhexidine Gluconate (Peridex), starting on the second day after surgery.

Swelling– Some swelling should be anticipated after surgery. To prevent further swelling and keep swelling to a minimum please GENTLY place an ice pack on the outside of your face 20 mins on, 20 mins off for the first 24 hrs as much as possible. After the first 48 hrs, you may place compresses such as a warm wash cloth on the outside of your face 20 min on and 20 mins off. Swelling will peak on the third day.

Bruising– Some bruising may occur after surgery either outside of the mouth or inside of the mouth and can last up to 7-10 days. This is normal.

Bleeding– Some oozing of blood after surgery is normal. Avoid spitting and rinsing. Do NOT use a straw or do any sucking motions, this will cause bleeding and will interfere with the surgical site. If oozing continues, sit upright and use moderate pressure to position a moist Lipton black tea bag over the wound to help stop the bleeding.

Diet– Your diet following surgery will consist of ONLY soft foods, nothing hard, crunchy, spicy or acidic. Stay away from carbonated drinks. Avoid eating small seeds such as sesame seeds, poppy seeds or strawberry seeds etc. Chew on the opposite side of where the surgery was done to avoid disturbing the healing process. Protein shakes and fruit smoothies are a good source of nutrition, but remember NOT to use straws, use a spoon. Consume only cold food for the first 48 hours.

Activity– Avoid activity for 7 days after surgery as this will increase heart rate and promote bleeding and swelling in the surgical areas. After surgery, keep your head elevated and do not sleep on the side which was surgically treated.

Sutures– Sutures, also known as “stitches”, will most likely be needed after the surgery. Avoid touching them with your tongue and do not pull on your lip or cheek. Do not cut or remove any of your sutures.

Healing– Please do NOT, for any reason, lift or pull up your lip to look at the surgical site or feel the area with your tongue. Do NOT rest your hand on your face and do NOT sleep on the side that was surgically treated. Soft tissue takes between 4-6 weeks for healing. Bone grafting and implants take between 3-6 months for final healing.

Recovery time– Rest is very important,as your body only heals when you are sleeping. Taking 3-5 days off work is advised. Please minimize talking and facial expressions, such as smiling, after surgery for the first week,as this will disrupt the healing process and compromise your surgical results.

Palatal Stent– If you have been given a palatal stent, keep the stent in for the first 24 hours and do not take it out to rinse. You will wear the stentfor1-2weeks, removing it twice a day to clean with cold water.

Smoking– Please avoid smoking for 1 week prior and 2 weeks post-surgery,as smoking interferes with the healing process and will compromise your surgical results.

 

FOOD: Prepare for after surgery by having plenty of soft foods to eat. Examples include; yogurt, soft cheese, cottage cheese, pudding, ice cream, oatmeal, soft bread, pancakes, well boiled pasta, grits, polenta, thinly sliced lunch meats, tofu, eggs, mashed or baked potatoes, avocados, well steamed veggies, beans, hummus, Jell-O and apple sauce. Please stick to these types of foods for the first week after surgery.

Avoid any foods that are hard for you to chew or swallow, such as the following:

  • Starches: Dry bread, toast, crackers, and cereal.
  • Vegetables: Corn on the cob and raw vegetables.
  • Fruits: Raw, crisp fruits, such as apples and pears.
  • Dairy, meats, and protein foods: Crunchy toppings, dry or tough meat, and peanut butter.
  • Avoid spicy, acidic, and anything with small seeds.

If there is an emergency please call the office during business hours at (530) 8092379. If there is an afterhours emergency, please call Dr. Bea Criveanu at (530) 9885484 or Dr. Jennifer Clark at (970) 4035820 and leave a message

IV and Oral Sedation Patients ONLY

DO NOT have anything to eat or drink (including water) for six (6) hours prior to the appointment. Stay hydrated and drink lots of water the day before your procedure. Absolutely NO alcohol for 48 hours prior to your appointment.

Absolutely no marijuana, cigarettes, vaping or recreational drug use for at least 48 hours prior to surgery.

Pick up all prescriptions, read instructions, and take medications exactly as prescribed.

• A responsible adult must accompany you to the office,remain in the office until released by a staff member, drive you home, and stay with you the rest of the day.

You should NOT drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.Do not sign any legal documents, make any financial or important decision, for 24 hrs.

• Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and lowheeled shoes.No dresses.

Partials and dentures will be removed at the time of surgery. Please refrain from wearing jewelry to your appointment.

• Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.

• If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office (530) 8092379as soon as possible.

If you take routine oral medications, please call the office prior to your surgical date for instructions.

Inability to complete scheduled surgery due to noncompliance of any of the reasons listed above will result in a nonrefundable,broken appointment fee,of $100 for each hour of scheduled time that was reserved for you.

*If you have any questions or need clarification, please call and speak to a team member.

 

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