Tooth Removal & Socket Preservation Bone Grafting
Postoperative Instructional Video
Tooth Removal & Socket Preservation Bone Grafting
Postoperative Instructions
Special Instructions
You have just had tooth removal and socket preservation bone grafting. Your tooth has been removed, the socket cleaned, and a bone graft material placed in the socket. There will be a white colored membrane and sutures covering the socket. The sutures will resorb on their own over 5 to 10 days, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
The membrane will stay in place for two to four weeks. If the membrane does not fall out on its own, your doctor will simply remove the membrane like a bandaid.
Post-Op Bleeding
Bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon, however, bleeding should stop within 24 hours of the procedure.
How to know bleeding has stopped
Often the gauze will be somewhat pink but not deeply red or saturated. If it is somewhat pink, this indicates that bleeding is well controlled. The key is to prevent blood from welling up or dripping out of your mouth.
Tips:
- Place a firm roll of moist gauze directly over the bleeding area and apply continuous pressure by closing the teeth firmly together for 30-45 minutes. Repeat if necessary.
- If bleeding persists, bite on a moistened black tea bag for thirty minutes. The tannins in the black tea helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels.
Pain Management
For severe pain, prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the below medication if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take.
Note:
Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more each day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.
Tips:
- Our first and most effective regiment to manage pain is to take up to 800mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours for the first 48 hours after surgery.
- If your doctor has prescribed you a narcotic pain medicine and ibuprofen is not controlling your pain, you may take the narcotic pain medicine every 4 to 6 hours, in addition to ibuprofen. Please note that it is best to take pain medicines immediately after eating and not on an empty stomach.
- If you develop symptoms of nausea, vomiting, skin rash, or diarrhea, stop taking the medication and call our office.
Diet and Hygiene
Try not to miss any meals. You will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort and heal faster if you continue to eat.
What to Eat?
For the first two days after surgery, your diet should be fairly soft. This includes things like mashed potatoes, pudding, Jell-O, protein shakes, soups, or anything that you can put into a blender. After the first two days your diet should slowly increase each day with the goal of being back to a normal diet 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Diabetic?
If you are diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits as much as possible, and follow instructions from us or your physician regarding your insulin schedule.
Special Instructions:
No straws, smoking, or forceful spitting for the first week.
Please restart the prescribed mouthwash the day after surgery and discontinue one week after surgery.
You may brush your teeth as normal, however, stay off of the gums when brushing in the area of your surgery.
Swelling and Discoloration
Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and sides of the face is common. Swelling generally peaks 48 to 72 hours after surgery.
Skin Discoloration
The development of black, blue, green, or yellow skin discoloration of the cheek is due to bruising spreading beneath the tissues. This is a normal postoperative occurrence, which may last several weeks.
Tips:
1. A cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a towel should be applied firmly; 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off, to the face or cheek adjacent to the surgical area during the first 24 – 48 hours.
2.
It is helpful to keep the head elevated on extra pillows, or to sleep in a recliner, the first night after surgery