Post Op Forms: Extraction Post Operative Form
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER EXTRACTION OF TEETH
***PLEASE READ ALL OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY***
Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery 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. Our number is Institute of Facial and Oral Surgery office Phone Number (703) 729-0077.
DAY OF SURGERY
FIRST HOUR: Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over the surgical 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 surgical 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 surgical 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.
OOZING: Intermittent bleeding or oozing overnight is normal. Bleeding may be controlled by placing fresh gauze over the areas and biting on the gauze for 30-45 minutes at a time.
PERSISTENT BLEEDING: Bleeding should never be severe. If so, it usually means that the packs are being clenched between teeth only and are not exerting pressure on the surgical areas. Try repositioning the packs. If bleeding persists or becomes heavy you may substitute a tea bag (soaked in very hot water, squeezed damp-dry and wrapped in moist gauze) for 20 or 30 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.
SWELLING: Swelling is often associated with oral surgery. It can be minimized by using a cold pack, ice bag or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to the cheek adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the first 24 hours after surgery. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed.
PAIN: Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a prescription for pain medication. If you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you should be able to manage any discomfort better. Some patients find that stronger pain medicine causes nausea, but if you precede each pain pill with a small amount of food, chances for nausea will be reduced. The effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. If you do not achieve adequate relief at first, you may supplement each pain pill with an analgesic such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Some patients may even require two of the pain pills at one time. Remember that the most severe pain is usually within six hours after the local anesthetic wears off; after that your need for medicine should lessen.
NAUSEA: Nausea is not uncommon after surgery. Sometimes pain medications are the cause. Nausea can be reduced by preceding each pain pill with a small amount of soft food, and taking the pill with a large volume of water. Try to keep taking clear fluids and minimize dosing of pain medications, but call us if you do not feel better. Classic Coca Cola may help with nausea.
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, pudding, 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 surgical 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 DAYS
MOUTH RINSES: Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use ¼ 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. You also alternate the prescribed medicated mouth rinse using as directed.
BRUSHING: Begin your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as possible after surgery. 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-operative 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. A 24-hour answering service is available to contact the doctor on call after hours. Calling during office hours will afford a faster response to your question or concern. Institute of Facial and Oral Surgery office Phone Number (703) 729-0077.
Don’t Live With Tooth Pain! Call Us for Relief Today
Institute of Facial and Oral Surgery
Patient Review
I was very impressed at the professionalism of the doctor’s office. Everything was very clean and the staff made the visit feel like home. Once everything healed up, you could never tell that I had an issue. Thank you!
- Kelly C
Patient Review
Having gone to another Doctor for information on what I needed to do with my loss of bone and some tooth extractions, I was overwhelmed with what and how he was going to do for me! The price was over the top and was a very painful experience... thank God I went to Dr. Moose who calmed me down and explained what he thought should be done. The extraction of 5 teeth and Putting in bone went so smoothly I never felt ANY PAIN! The staff was wonderful and assuring me how terrific he was... thanks again to Dr. Moose and his staff... I gave them a 5 star rating all around..
- Kathy G
Patient Review
Excellent! Outstanding!
- Ruba B
Patient Review
I have already recommended them to some friends of mine.
- juana P
Patient Review
Dr. Patel is my oral surgeon. He did 4 surgeries on me in past 10 years: 1. Extraction of wisdom tooth-Involved strong complication with sinuses. There was a hole in gum that caused frequent infection over years. Dr. Patel used 3 layers to close it. After surgery, I had only 2 sinus infections in 9 years. 2.Molar implant- Local anesthesia was used. Surgery was painless and smooth. I never had an issue with implant after installation. 3.Abutment for implant- Once again, surgery went smooth. There was no pain during/after surgery. 4.Re-abutment for screwed crown- Outstanding surgery. Unfortunately, crown installed by general dentist (after previous abutment completed) fell off after 4+ years. I did not re-install crown in 5 years and gum tissue went thick. During re-abutment procedure, there was no pain with local shot, removal of excess gum tissue, and abutment procedure. Surgery took 7-10 minutes approximately. Altogether, being Dr. Patel’s patient for so many years,I can, doubtlessly, state that he is an outstanding, knowledgeable, dedicated, professional, and caring surgeon. In fact, I’d recommend him to anyone. It has been a pleasure to be in such good hands that genuinely heal patients with expertise and care for them. Thank you, Dr. Patel
- Farhanaz B
Patient Review
I can't say enough about the staff being so supportive during a visit that I was extremely nervous about. They really went out of their way to put me at ease and take great care of me.
- Sarah H
Patient Review
Amazing doctors,very professional!
- Farhanaz B
Patient Review
I have been Dr. Patel’s patient for almost 10 years now. I had wisdom tooth extraction, implant, and other dental procedures done by Dr. Patel. All surgeries were smooth and painless. The molar implant has been intact for 10 years. Dr. Patel is a Board-Certified Oral Surgeon. He is highly educated, knowledgeable, dedicated, and completes each surgery with extreme care and expertise. He is a wonderful person, an outstanding oral surgeon. I would highly recommend Institute of Facial and Oral Surgery to anyone.
- Ruba B
Patient Review
Professional,skilled,and dedicated doctors!
- Ruba B
Patient Review
You always do your best..Institute of Facial and Oral Surgery!
- ruba b
Patient Review
I had an accident where my jaw ended up being broken on New Years Eve. I stubbornly waited to go to the Emergency room until the next day around 3:30pm. After I got in and got the x-rays completed they found the jaw was in fact broken cleanly in half. As opposed to the PA calling the "on call" doctor in to take care of this ordeal immediately, I was given pain killers and the phone number on where to reach the doctor the next day. I thought that was very inattentive that they couldn't get me taken care of then or that evening but was a bit out of it. I walked out into the waiting room and my surprised girlfriend and I headed home. I called the next morning only to find out that not only was this doctor out of my network (had he performed it in the hospital it would have been) but doesn't take a lot of insurances. I then asked my health insurance provider to send me a list of "in network" oral surgeons. After a morning into early afternoon call session (yes with the jaw still broken) I had multiple offices on the list that didn't do the procedure I needed. What disturbed me more was there were multiple offices who said they were booked and couldn't get me in. I had one office tell me that they couldn't see me for 2 weeks (in an office an hour away from me) and that when I went in it would be a consultation only. Then they would set a date for the procedure afterword. I had given up and didn't know what to do. The next morning I realize I had left one stone unturned' The Institute of Oral and Facial Surgery. Upon calling them they immediately showed concern and asked if I could be in by 11am. I of course said absolutely. Doctor Patel had moved his schedule around for me realizing the severity of the issue. When I went in the staff was very supportive and friendly to say the least. My family and I were treated as if we had been their clients for years. I went in to the room and Doctor Patel not only took a look. There he was reworking his schedule again. He had me all wired up and set the same day. The process took only about 2 hours from beginning to end. The healing process had commenced immediately thanks to him. I could not have been more appreciative. Not only had I found a doctor that cared for his patient the way he did but a true perfectionist and a professional. I am now headed back for the removal of my wisdom teeth next month as is my significant other this month. You don't find places like this anymore and I would suggest using this office to anyone.
- Kenneth B
Patient Review
It's time to say once again, "You are the BEST!" We thank you for your excellent support and care.. Good night,Institute of Facial and Cosmetic Surgery:)
- Ruba B
Patient Review
dr.patel is a wonderful surgeon:)
- ruba b
Patient Review
excellent doctors and surgeons!
- ruba b
Patient Review
Best doctors and surgeons work here:)
- Farhanaz B
Patient Review
What can I say? Institute of Facial and Oral surgery deserves a 100/5.Thank you:)
- Ruba B
Patient Review
Institute of Facial and Cosmetic Surgery- here's your lifetime stamp of approval!
- Farhanaz B
Patient Review
Excellent doctors.I will return to Institite of Facial and Cosmetic Surgery over and over again.Thank You!
- Farhanaz B
Patient Review
This review is about their aesthetician Gaynor, I have been to several places for fillers and skin treatment. Gaynor is by far the best !!!!. She will take time to explain the treatments, and the results, so you have clear expectations.Also, Gaynor did not rush the procedures, I have had that with other spas, and their pricing is the best around. Do yourself a favor and go in for a consultation, you will be very happy you did.
- Janice W
Patient Review
Dr. Patel and his staff are AMAZING!!! I cannot tell you how much I am pleased with my results!!! I have just recently had my procedure done, from my consultation to post op. I have been treated with kindness, compassion, and caring. You will not be disappointed.
- Janice W