This video has been made to ensure that your experience on the day of surgery is as seamless and pleasant as possible. Intravenous sedation is a technique for administering medications through a vein to help you relax and to reduce discomfort. This method allows us to avoid general anesthesia and its side effects, thereby facilitating a more comfortable patient experience.

It is important that you follow these instructions very closely:

You may not have anything to eat or drink for 6 hours before surgery. If you were provided with medication to take before the procedure, it may be taken with sips of water one hour prior to the appointment.

All routine medications may be taken on their normal schedule unless you have been instructed to temporarily stop them. If routine medications need to be taken during the fasting period, please take them with small sips of water. Do not stop a routine medication unless advised by your doctor or surgeon.

Wear loose-fitting clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up past the elbow and low-heeled shoes.

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

Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.

It is advisable to visit the washroom 30 minutes before the appointment.

To reduce complications and delayed healing, refrain from smoking for 1 week prior to the surgery and 1 week after.

A responsible adult must accompany the patient to our office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home following surgery.

Plan to rest for the remainder of the day. The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following IV sedation.

The use of alcohol or recreational drugs can have an adverse effect on the anesthesia medications that we use. Please refrain from the use of these substances for 72 hours prior to your procedure.

If you have an illness, such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office before your appointment.

Please note that some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Patients are encouraged to review this point further with their pharmacist.

Following these guidelines along with our post-operative instructions is the best way for you to ensure a smooth treatment and comfortable recovery.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding these instructions, or if our team can be of further assistance, please contact our office, and it would be our pleasure to help.

All surgical procedures are associated with normal side effects and the possibility of complications. The information in this video has been compiled to help our patients understand the healing process and how to avoid problems. By following these instructions closely, you will ensure that your recovery is as comfortable as possible.

After your procedure, there is often swelling of the face and sometimes bruising of the skin. This is normal. An ice bag applied to the area (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off) for the first 24 hours will keep swelling to a minimum. Maximum swelling usually occurs within 48 to 72 hours after surgery. Swelling can persist up to 7 to 10 days. If the swelling resolves but then returns, please contact our office.

Eat a light diet for the first 2 days (for example: yogurt, soup, Jell-O, milk drinks, and meal replacements) and then progress to a more normal diet. Avoid hot foods and do not use straws for the first day, as this tends to cause bleeding. Drink plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated.

Rest for the remainder of the day following your operation, keeping your head slightly elevated.

Refrain from smoking, as smoking prevents healing and can increase your discomfort.

Some bleeding is normal for the first 24 to 48 hours. If bleeding is heavy, use moist gauze squares, folded in 4, and apply firm pressure to the bleeding area by biting on the gauze for 45 minutes. Do not spit on the day of your surgery, as this tends to promote bleeding.

Gentle tooth brushing can be resumed the day after your procedure.

It is important to keep your mouth clean. Starting 24 hours after surgery, use a saltwater rinse (1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) after meals and before bed. If a prescription mouth rinse has been recommended, please follow the directions as outlined by your healthcare professional.

If necessary, you will be prescribed medication to prevent and relieve discomfort. It is important to read the label to ensure the medications are taken properly. Please follow these instructions carefully. Often, over-the-counter medications are effective, and a prescription is not required. The use of these medications should be discussed with our team or your pharmacist. Following your recovery, any unused prescription pain medication should be returned to your pharmacist for proper disposal.

Dissolving stitches are used for most procedures. It is normal for these to begin to dissolve after 4 to 10 days.

If you have had IV sedation, please be aware of the possibility of psychomotor impairment, temporary amnesia, and re-sedation after surgery. The effects of IV sedation can differ from patient to patient, and a responsible adult should be present for the first 24 hours following surgery. Patients who have received sedation must not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions (such as sign legal documents) for 24 hours following the procedure.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office and we will be happy to assist in any way possible. If your issue is of a serious nature, please follow the telephone prompts to reach the emergency line, and we will return your call as soon as we receive your message.

The information in this video is intended for patients who have recently undergone the placement of dental implants or the replacement of missing bone, also know as a bone graft. By adhering to the following instructions, you will help minimize problems and ensure that you have a smooth and comfortable recovery.

Swelling and discomfort often follow any surgical procedure. This is a normal aspect of healing. It typically peaks between 48 to 72 hours after surgery. The amount of swelling and discomfort that occurs varies from patient to patient. You may help reduce your swelling by using ice packs on the affected area, keeping your head elevated after surgery, and by using the recommended medications.

You may be given a prescription for a strong pain medication following surgery. Alternatively, over-the-counter pain medications may be recommended. Once you have recovered, any remaining strong pain medications should be returned to your pharmacist for proper disposal. Antibiotics may also be prescribed in some cases to help prevent infection. Taking all medications as directed is one of the best ways to reduce swelling, avoid discomfort, and minimize the chances of complications.

Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. You may begin rinsing the day after surgery. Rinse gently with warm salt water or a prescription mouthwash if one has been provided. Avoid vigorous rinsing and spitting, as this may disturb the healing process. You may begin normal brushing as soon as possible. However, use caution around the wound for the first few days.

There may be a metal post slightly protruding through the gums — called an abutment. This will help shape and heal the surrounding gums. The abutment should be brushed as you would brush your teeth. Again, be gentle for the first few days after the procedure, as the wound is delicate.

If you have a temporary denture, please do not wear it post-operatively until advised to do so by your surgeon. As discussed during our consultation, wearing a denture over a new implant or graft site may increase the risk of complications such as wound breakdown, infection, and treatment failure. We will be seeing you for a checkup, 2 weeks following your surgery. At this time, we will assess healing and be certain that your temporary denture fits well and is safe to begin wearing again.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office, and we will be happy to assist in any way possible. If your issue is serious, please follow our telephone prompts to the emergency line, and we will return your call once the message is received.

Typically, sinus precautions are recommended for 6 weeks. However, in some cases, your surgeon may provide a specific time frame tailored to your situation. Following these guidelines is essential for a smooth recovery and to prevent complications.

The maxillary sinuses are hollow bone cavities located above the upper back teeth. “Sinus precautions” refer to instructions patients must follow after procedures involving or near these sinuses.

Common scenarios requiring sinus precautions:

Instructions for Smooth Recovery:

From time to time, patients call our office for information regarding their recovery. At times, more urgent calls are made after-hours. The following information has been compiled to help address some of these questions and to provide encouragement to those of you who may be concerned about possible problems.

The most common reason for post-operative calls is pain. It is normal that pain slowly increases for the first few days. The worst days are typically the second and third day of healing. In our experience, patients often wean themselves from their pain medication too soon. It is important to take pain medications at the proper dosage, with the proper schedule, and for the proper duration. If you have questions or concerns regarding your medications, please contact our office or speak with your pharmacist.

If patients who have been taking pain medication correctly still have significant pain that is radiating to the temple and neck, these patients may be experiencing a dry socket. This occasionally occurs 5 to 10 days after the removal of lower wisdom teeth. A dry socket is not dangerous, but it must be seen quickly so that a medicated dressing can be placed. This will improve symptoms in less than 10 minutes.

For patients who have been treated with sedation, it is important that a responsible adult stays with you for 24 hours after surgery. Our team will not discharge a patient from our facility until specific recovery criteria are met. However, re-sedation may occur in rare instances, as these medications may take a full 24 hours to completely leave the system. These patients will need assistance with walking, as they may be more prone to falling.

New swelling of the face with redness and warmth that arises after the initial swelling stage is likely an infection. These patients may have new or prolonged pain beyond the initial swelling stage. A fever may be present. Some patients suspect infection when they notice something white covering their wound. This is often normal immature gum tissue that has not yet fully healed and requires no treatment.

The prevention of problems is certainly more beneficial than having to treat complications. This is why we emphasize the importance of following our post-operative instructions. Please review our other videos and written instruction sheets, or visit our website for more information.
If you do have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office. We are here if you need us, and we are more than happy to help.