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 406 Periodontics Phone Number (406) 404-1303 during regular business hours.

For scheduled surgeries, prescriptions are sent several days prior to the pharmacy of your choice. For emergency/same-day surgeries, prescriptions will be sent the day of. Please bring your filled prescriptions with you to your appointment.

It may be important to stop taking aspirin and non-steroidals 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. We keep the office cool, so dress warmly. Headphones are welcomed and encourage should it be helpful to you. 

Post operative appointments will be scheduled to monitor healing progress. 

Antibiotics

Please alert the office to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics. You will be prescribed an antibiotic following your procedure to prevent any infection. 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

Our office provides a few sedation opptions along with the use of local anesthetic to ensure all patients are as comfortable as possible during surgery. Options include nitrous, oral and IV sedation. Nitrous (more comonly known as laughing gas) allows you to drive yourself to and from the appointment and eat or drink before you come. Oral and IV sedations require a ride to and from the appointment as well as eating and drinking restrictions. For oral sedatives, please follow the instructions on the prescription bottle as most will have you begin prior to arrival at the appointment. For more questions please call the office. 

Post-operative Instructions

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

Medications

It is not unusual to have discomfort for up to 1 week following your surgical procedure. You will be given a prescription(s) for pain medication to help you tolerate the post-surgical recovery period. Please take your medications as directed. It is advisable to not take pain medication on an empty stomach, as nausea may result.

Most patients are given an antibiotic, a prescription ibuprofen, and a prescription opioid for post-operative pain and infection control. 

Take your prescribed antibiotic as directed until gone. This will prevent any infections during your recovery. If any adverse affects from the antibiotic please contact the office right away for further instruction. 

It is recommended to take the ibuprofen every 4-6 hours as needed for mild to moderate pain, as well as to reduce swelling, for the first 2-3 days. You may also need it less frequently for up to 1 week.

For moderate pain, you may also follow a regimen that alternates ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ex: 800mg ibuprofen at 8:00am, 500mg tylenol at 11:00am, 800mg ibuprofen at 2:00pm etc.

As an alternative to prescription medications, some patients have found taking a combination of over-the-counter Ibuprofen and Tylenol to be effective. You may take the combination in either of the following dosages: 3 Advil Liqui-Gels and 2 Regular Strength Tylenol or 3 Advil Liqui-Gels and 1 Extra Strength Tylenol, every 4-6 hours as needed.

For moderate to severe pain, you may follow a similar alternating regimen with ibuprofen and hydrocodone, which also has acetaminophen in it. Ex: 800mg ibuprofen at 8:00am, 5/325 acetaminophen/ hydrocodone at 11:00am, 800mg ibuprofen at 2:00pm etc.

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.

Swelling

Swelling may occur following your surgical procedure and will typically peak around day 2 or 3. To minimize the swelling, place an ice pack over the outside cheek area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. After day 3 if swelling persists heat will be better than ice. Place a warm washcloth on the outside cheek area for 20 minuites on and 20 minutes off. 

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 bleeding persists.

Dressing

A dressing (which acts as a bandage) is often used to protect the surgical site and help reduce discomfort. The dressing may last a few hour to a few days. If you have any concerns regarding your dressing, call our office.

Diet

Until comfortable, avoid chewing on the side where surgery was completed. Avoid hot foods and liquids for approximately 1 week following the surgery as heat promotes bleeding and swelling. A soft diet is recommended. Avoid anything too hard or crunchy as well as anything with small particles like seeds or berries. Remember, adequate nutrition is essential for feeling better as well as for healing.

Food Suggestions

When preparing a post-op menu, please consider some of the following choices:

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.

Oral hygiene

Avoid brushing the surgical site. This can dislodge sutures, blood clots, and can be very uncomfortable. If you use anelectric toothbrush, turn it off and use it manually in the areas surrounding the surgical site. Do not rinse or swish with any mouth rinses or saltwater. This can disturb blood clots and delay healing.

Suture Removal

If your sutures are bothering you, we are happy to see you for a suture trim. Do not trim or remove them yourself. You may notice increased discomfort 3-4 days after the surgical procedure. As the tissues begin to heal, they may pull against the sutures and dressing. 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 required, take the prescribed antibiotics 1 hour 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 406 Periodontics Phone Number (406) 404-1303