New patients at Oral Surgery for Georgia are generally referred to us by their dentist or orthodontist. Many of our patients choose to do a same day consultation and surgery to avoid making two visits to our office. If you choose this option, it is important you follow all of the pre-OP instructions before coming to your appointment. At the consultation, the doctor will discuss your treatment plan and provide information regarding fees and insurance coverage.
PRE-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS
Please read these instructions carefully.
- Because anesthetic or sedative medications (including oral premedication) cause drowsiness that lasts for some time, you MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult to drive you to and from surgery, and stay with you for several hours until you are recovered sufficiently to care for yourself. Sometimes the effects of the drugs do not wear off for 24 hours.
- During recovery time (normally 24 hours), you should not drive, operate complicated machinery or devices or make important decisions such as signing documents, etc.
- You must have a completely empty stomach. It is vital that you have NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK for at least six (6) hours prior to your treatment. To do otherwise may result in serious medical or even life-threatening consequences.
- Unless instructed otherwise, it is important that you continue to take any regular medications (high blood pressure, antibiotics, etc.) or any medicines given to you by your surgeon with only a small sip of water on the morning of your surgery.
POST-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS
Please read these instructions carefully.
Sometimes the after-effects of dental procedures are quite minimal, so not all of the instructions may apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt follow these guidelines or call our office for clarification at 678-365-4889. Our on-call phone number is available in our message system after hours.
Day of Procedure – First Hour: Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over the extraction areas, making sure they remain in place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not controlled. The packs may be gently removed after one hour. If active bleeding persists, place enough new gauze to obtain pressure over the extraction site for another 30 minutes. The gauze may then be changed as necessary (typically every 30 to 45 minutes). It is best to moisten the gauze with tap water and loosely fluff for more comfortable positioning.
Exercise Care: Do not disturb the procedure area today. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects. You may brush your teeth gently.
PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE for at least 48 hours, since this is very detrimental to healing and may cause a dry socket.
Diet: Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Avoid extremely hot foods. Do not use a straw for the first few days after surgery. It is sometimes advisable, but not absolutely required, to confine the first day’s intake to liquids or pureed foods (soups, puddings, yogurt, milk shakes, etc.) It is best to avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc., which may get lodged in the socket areas. Over the next several days you may gradually progress to solid foods. It is important not to skip meals! If you take nourishment regularly you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits or follow instructions given by your doctor.
Sharp Edges: If you feel something hard or sharp edges in the extraction areas, it is likely you are feeling the bony walls which once supported the extracted teeth. Occasionally small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the following week or so. If they cause concern or discomfort, please call the office.
Instructions for the Second and Third Day Mouth Rinses: Keeping your mouth clean after extractions is essential. Use 1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as often as you like, but at least two or three times daily.
Brushing: Begin your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as possible after the procedure. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.
Hot Applications: You may apply warm compresses to the skin over the areas of swelling (hot water bottle, hot moist towels, heating pad) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help soothe tender areas. This will also help decrease swelling and stiffness.
Healing: Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows: The first two days after surgery are generally the most uncomfortable and there is usually some swelling. On the third day you should be more comfortable and, although still swollen, can usually begin a more substantial diet. The remainder of the post-procedure course should be gradual, steady improvement. If you don’t see continued improvement, please call our office.
If you are given a plastic irrigating syringe, DO NOT use it for the first five days. Then use it daily according to the instructions until you are certain the tooth socket has closed completely and that there is no chance of any food particles lodging in the socket. It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office at 678-365-4889. Our on-call phone number is available in our message system after hours. However, calling during office hours will afford a faster response to your question or concern.