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Pre-op Instructions for Surgery Patients

We understand that having a periodontal surgical procedure is not a part of your daily routine. We strive to make you as comfortable as possible. Our commitment is to provide you with an optimal level of care. Please feel free to ask any questions before surgery to make this appointment as easy for you as possible.

If conscious I.V. sedation is being employed, you will be given specific pre-operative instructions regarding withholding food and drink prior to your appointment. Please make the office staff aware of a phone number where you can be reached the day before the appointment if different from your home number.

Please arrange to have a responsible adult monitor you for the first 24 hours. If you have received I.V. sedation, you must have an adult drive you home and refrain from operating a motor vehicle for 24 hours after surgery.

You will be given prescriptions for medications needed during your recovery. In many instances it may be helpful to have some or all of your prescriptions phoned into a pharmacy the day before your appointment. This will be discussed with you at your confirmation call the day before your surgery.

Generally hard, chewy or warm foods and drinks should be avoided immediately following surgery. Cool, soft foods such as ice cream, yogurt and Jell-O are suggested immediately after surgery. Liquids such as Instant Breakfast, Ensure and Gatorade can be helpful. Soft solids such as creamed potatoes, overcooked vegetables, soups and overcooked pasta are nutritious, easy to ingest and may be added the day following surgery. Recommended foods for Diabetic patients: Glucerna, Carnation Instant Breakfast (no sugar added) with skim milk, Sugar Free Pudding, Blue Bunny Ice Cream (no sugar added or fat free), Light Yogurt (artificially sweetened), Sugar Busters Yogurt, Tomato Soup or Cream of Chicken Soup.

Please consume no alcohol the night before. If you feel you will have difficulty sleeping the night before, please contact the office for evaluation for a possible sleep-aid.

Instructions for Day of Surgery

Daily medications should in general be taken as prescribed with a sip of water, if needed, on the day of your surgery. If you use an inhaler or take Nitroglycerin tablets, please bring these with you. If you are Diabetic, you will be given specific instructions regarding your medications. Please wear loose, comfortable, warm clothing with short sleeves or long sleeves that can be easily rolled up. A shirt or blouse that unbuttons down the front is helpful.

Plan to be in our office at least fifteen minutes before your scheduled appointment time. This will allow enough time to complete necessary forms, schedule a post-op appointment and fulfill previously made financial arrangements.

We are dedicated to providing the highest level of care possible. You will be carefully monitored throughout your surgery appointment and never be left unattended.

Please do not hesitate to call our office if you have any questions.

Post-Surgical Instructions

Dressing : If a protective dressing has been placed over the surgical area, avoid this area when eating or cleaning. The dressing does not have to remain in place for the procedure to be successful, but tenderness may increase if it is loosened or removed prematurely. If a dressing is not placed, avoid the area also. If removable appliances are worn, please leave them out as much as possible during the day, and definitely when sleeping.

Eating : Please wait until the numbness is no longer present, before attempting to eat. If necessary to get something on your stomach prior to taking medication, something cool and soft (ice cream, yogurt, jello) would be indicated. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may be able to eat soft food carefully in the areas of your mouth that are not involved. Soups, creamed potatoes, overcooked pasta and vegetables are suggested. Please avoid hot foods for a few hours following surgery as this can increase bleeding. If a liquid diet is consumed, fortified liquids such as Instant Breakfast or Ensure are nutritious. Recommended foods for Diabetic patients: Glucerna, Carnation Instant Breakfast (no sugar added) with skim milk, Sugar Free Pudding, Blue Bunny Ice Cream (no sugar added or fat free), Light Yogurt (artificially sweetened), Sugar Busters Yogurt, Tomato Soup or Cream of Chicken Soup.

Cleaning: Areas of your mouth not involved in the procedure may be cleaned as usual. Avoid cleaning the surgical area(s) with toothbrush or floss. Antibacterial rinse (Peridex) may have been prescribed to clean surgical area(s). Avoid rinsing for 24 hours following any extractions. If no rinse was prescribed, gently clean the teeth in the surgical area with Q-tips moistened with water or mouthwash.

Bleeding: Red-tinged saliva is not unusual for a few hours following a procedure. Cool water rinses or chipped ice held in the area will minimize this. Areas that continue to seep may be controlled by gentle, constant pressure, with cool water moistened gauze. A cool water moistened teabag applied with gentle pressure to the area is also helpful in controlling seepage. If this persists, or is of moderate or greater amounts please contact us.

Swelling: Swelling should reach a maximum 2-3 days following your procedure, and then begin to subside. It may be minimized by applying an icebag externally, off and on for 15 minute periods, as much as possible for the first 24 hours only.

Discomfort: Discomfort should be manageable with the medication prescribed. Allow 45-60 minutes for the medication to take effect. Taking your medication as directed, while still numb, will aid in the control of the onset of discomfort. Discomfort should maximize during the first 24-72 hours after your surgery, and then begin to decrease. If discomfort decreases, then begins to increase again, contact the office.

I.V. Sedation: If intravenous sedation has been used, please take it easy the remainder of the day. You should be attended to by a responsible adult for the first 24 hours. You should not operate any motor vehicles the remainder of the day. If the I.V. site is more than slightly tender for 24-48 hours, please contact the office.

Medications: If there are any questions or problems regarding your medications, please contact the office. In general, antibiotics should be taken as prescribed until finished. Antibacterial rinse (Peridex) should be used until directed to discontinue. Pain medications should be taken only as needed. Over the counter medications (Tylenol, Advil) may be used when possible. Aspirin may be taken, although excessive use could increase the tendency to bleed. Steroid Dose Packs (Decadron, Medrol) should be taken exactly according to the package instructions.

Emergencies: If any questions or unexpected effects from your procedure occur during office hours, please contact the office at (256)-882-0255. If the office is closed, a recording will give you my beeper number. If I am out-of-town, the message accessed by dialing my beeper number will tell you who is on call and how to contact them.