Surgical Instructions
If you’ve been scheduled to have any type of oral surgery or you’re thinking it may become necessary in the near future, the information below will help you know what to do every step of the way. While this page is a good starting point, you can always call Cambria Smiles to get more information specific to your particular situation. Everything below should be considered a general guide.
After Wisdom Tooth Removal
Right after undergoing a wisdom tooth extraction, we will place a gauze dressing over the area to control the bleeding, and it should not be removed for at least 45 minutes. Once the dressing has become soaked (this is normal and no cause for alarm), it should be quickly changed. For the first 24 hours or so, a patient should refrain from drinking from a straw, rinsing their mouth, or spitting, as this can interfere with the area clotting.
You should plan to take the rest of the day off and relax, as unneeded activity can interfere with proper healing the first day. You will be prescribed a pain medication by your dentist, and you should take it as instructed after the local anesthesia has worn off. If pain or swelling seems to be getting worse after a day or so, be sure to give us a call.
After Dental Implant Surgery
After dental implant surgery, we recommend taking the next 48-72 hours easy. Doing so will help ensure proper healing after the procedure. You’ll be advised to drink plenty of fluids, but nothing too hot or cold. We may tell you to apply an ice pack to your face in 20-minute intervals for the first two days after surgery to help manage any swelling. Be sure to take any pain medication as instructed. If you had implants placed into your upper jaw, do not blow your nose for two weeks after surgery.
Bleeding, swelling, and pain at the implant site(s) is normal, and you may even experience a one to two degree fever, but this is no cause for concern. You’ll need to stick to a soft food diet for the first few days and avoid chewing in the area of your mouth where the implants were placed.
After Impacted Tooth Removal
When a tooth has become impacted, this basically means that it has become stuck while trying to come in. This can occur because there is not enough room for the tooth in the mouth (which is often the case with the wisdom teeth), or a tooth may be trying to come in at a very odd angle. We will usually choose to remove these teeth to prevent them from causing damage to the rest of a patient’s teeth.
After an impacted tooth has been extracted, a bit of pain, swelling, and bleeding in the area is to be expected. You’ll be asked to relax and not do much on the day of your procedure and maybe the day after in order to ensure proper clotting. You should also avoid drinking from a straw or spitting during the first 24 hours, as they could lead to excess bleeding.
Multiple Tooth Extractions
In most cases, we will choose to remove multiple teeth in one sitting in order to prepare the mouth to fit a new denture. After a multiple tooth extraction, you may experience a bit of swelling, and if the teeth were removed from the upper jaw, this swelling may include the area near the eyes as well. It’s also common for the muscles near the extraction site to become sore right after this procedure, leading to what can feel like a sore throat. These symptoms are all normal and can be managed with a cold compress on the face as well as pain medication. You’ll be advised to relax for the rest of the day after this procedure, and you should stock up on soft food items as well. You’ll be scheduled for a follow-up appointment within a few days, but be sure to give us a call if you experience any increasing pain or bleeding.
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