Post-Operative Instructions

Discomfort: Pain relief medication will be prescribed. Ibuprofen (600 mg) 4 times daily and extra strength Tylenol is usually sufficient. Tylenol #3 may also be prescribed. This is a strong painkiller and should only be used if other drugs are not effective.

Swelling: To avoid swelling use a cold pack (ice or frozen vegetables) wrapped in a moist towel on the side of your face 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 12 hours following surgery. Swelling peaks at 72 hours and takes approximately 1 week to completely resolve.

Bleeding: It is not unusual to have some slight bleeding. If the site continues to bleed, try to relax and apply constant pressure with moist gauze or a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. In order to avoid bleeding, keep your head elevated during the first evening, discontinue your exercise regime for 1-2 days, restrict yourself to a soft diet, and do not smoke. As well, do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, or drink alcohol for 24 hours following surgery. You may want to cover your pillow in order to avoid staining the cover the night following surgery.

Oral Hygiene: After surgery it is important to keep your teeth and mouth as clean as possible. The prescribed antibacterial mouthrinse is to be used twice daily for 4 days after surgery and then is applied gently to the surgical area with a q-tip. Additionally, warm salt-water rinses (1/2 tsp salt in warm water) can be used several times daily. The non-treated areas can be brushed normally. If a periodontal dressing is placed, it may fall off on its own. Do not be alarmed if this occurs. The dressing may be gently removed with your fingers if it becomes loose. Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours following surgery.

Post-operative appointments: You will be seen one week after the surgery for suture removal and oral hygiene instruction. A soft toothbrush can now be used to clean the teeth in the surgical site. Within two weeks of the surgery you should begin to resume your usual oral hygiene regime.

Following a clinical crown lengthening surgery your teeth may be sensitive to heat and cold. This is normal and will gradually subside over time. At a second post-operative visit, 3-4 weeks after surgery, healing will be monitored. If satisfactory, you will make an appointment with your dentist for the crown preparation six weeks after the time of surgery (possibly longer for a front tooth).

What to expect: Sometimes a pink dressing is placed over the graft site and usually remains in place for 1-5 days. There may also be a dressing on the roof of your mouth, which you can expect to fall off on the first day. To assist initial healing and to prevent graft movement, try to rest and avoid talking and eating for the first 3-5 hours. A soft diet is recommended for 6 weeks. Do not lift your lip to examine the grafted site as this can cause graft movement.

Discomfort: Pain relief medication will be prescribed. Ibuprofen (600 mg) 4 times daily and extra strength Tylenol is usually sufficient. Tylenol #3 may also be prescribed. This is a strong painkiller and should only be used if other drugs are not effective.

Swelling: To avoid swelling use a cold pack (ice or frozen vegetables) wrapped in a moist towel on the side of your face 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 12 hours following surgery. Swelling peaks at 72 hours and takes approximately 1 week to completely resolve.

Bleeding: It is not unusual to have some slight bleeding. If the site continues to bleed, try to relax and apply constant pressure with moist gauze or a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. In order to avoid bleeding, keep your head elevated during the first evening, discontinue your exercise regime for 1-2 days, and restrict yourself to a soft diet. As well, do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, smoke, or drink alcohol for 24 hours following surgery. You may want to cover your pillow in order to avoid staining the cover the night following surgery.

Oral Hygiene: After surgery it is important to keep your teeth and mouth as clean as possible. The prescribed antibacterial mouthrinse is to be used twice daily starting the day after surgery. Additionally, warm salt-water rinses (1/2 tsp salt in warm water) can be used several times daily. The non-treated areas can be brushed normally. If a periodontal dressing is placed, it may fall off on its own. Do not be alarmed if this occurs. The dressing may be gently removed with your fingers if it becomes loose. Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours following surgery.

Post-operative appointments: You will be seen two weeks after the surgery for suture removal and oral hygiene instruction. A q-tip can be used to clean the teeth at the grafted site for 4 weeks following your initial post-operative visit. Flossing can be re-instituted after your initial post-operative visit, but the floss must not hit the gums. A second post-operative visit to assess healing will take place 2-3 weeks later. Complete healing of the graft can take up to one year.

Discomfort: Pain relief medication will be prescribed. Ibuprofen (600 mg) 4 times daily and extra strength Tylenol is usually sufficient. Tylenol #3 may also be prescribed. This is a strong painkiller and should only be used if other drugs are not effective.

Swelling: To avoid swelling use a cold pack (ice or frozen vegetables) wrapped in a moist towel on the side of your face 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 12 hours following surgery. Swelling peaks at 72 hours and takes approximately 1 week to completely resolve.

Bleeding: It is not unusual to have some slight bleeding. If the site continues to bleed, try to relax and apply constant pressure with moist gauze or a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. In order to avoid bleeding, keep your head elevated during the first evening, discontinue your exercise regime for 1-2 days, and restrict yourself to a soft diet. As well, do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, smoke, or drink alcohol for 24 hours following surgery. You may want to cover your pillow in order to avoid staining the cover the night following surgery.

Oral Hygiene: After surgery it is important to keep your teeth and mouth as clean as possible. The prescribed antibacterial mouthrinse is to be used twice daily for 4 days after surgery and then can be applied locally with a q-tip. Additionally, warm salt-water rinses (1/2 tsp salt in warm water) can be used several times daily. The non-treated areas can be brushed normally. Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours following surgery. 

Post-operative appointments: You can expect to see a white membrane covering the bone-grafted extraction socket, which is held in place by sutures. The complete course of antibiotics must be completed. You will be seen for 2-3 post-operative visits:

1. One week following surgery to check healing and remove sutures
2. Possibly two-three weeks following surgery for further follow-up and suture removal
3. Four weeks following surgery to remove the membrane

An additional appointment will be scheduled for approximately 4 months following the surgery to assess the maturation of the bone graft. At this appointment, you will be given relevant information for tooth replacement.

Medication: The prescribed antibiotic must be completed.

Discomfort: Pain relief medication will be prescribed. Ibuprofen (600 mg) 4 times daily and extra strength Tylenol is usually sufficient. Tylenol #3 may also be prescribed. This is a strong painkiller and should only be used if other drugs are not effective.

Swelling: To avoid swelling use a cold pack (ice or frozen vegetables) wrapped in a moist towel on the side of your face 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 12 hours following surgery. Swelling peaks at 72 hours and takes approximately 1 week to completely resolve.

Bleeding: It is not unusual to have some slight bleeding. If the site continues to bleed, try to relax and apply constant pressure with moist gauze or a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. In order to avoid bleeding, keep your head elevated during the first evening, discontinue your exercise regime for 1-2 days, and restrict yourself to a soft diet. As well, do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, smoke, or drink alcohol for 24 hours following surgery. You may want to cover your pillow in order to avoid staining the cover the night following surgery.

Oral Hygiene: After surgery it is important to keep your teeth and mouth as clean as possible. Warm salt-water rinses (1/2 tsp salt in warm water) should be used several times daily, especially after meals, until the site is completely healed. The non-treated areas can be brushed normally. Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours following surgery. 

Post-operative appointments: You may be seen for a post-operative visit one week after surgery if necessary.

What to expect: Sometimes a pink dressing is placed over the graft site and usually remains in place for 1-5 days. There may also be a dressing on the roof of your mouth, which you can expect to fall off on the first day. To assist initial healing and to prevent graft movement, try to rest and avoid talking and eating for the first 3-5 hours. A soft diet is recommended for 6 weeks. Do not lift your lip to examine the grafted site as this can cause graft movement.

Discomfort: Pain relief medication will be prescribed. Ibuprofen (600 mg) 4 times daily and extra strength Tylenol is usually sufficient. Tylenol #3 may also be prescribed. This is a strong painkiller and should only be used if other drugs are not effective.

Swelling: To avoid swelling use a cold pack (ice or frozen vegetables) wrapped in a moist towel on the side of your face 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 12 hours following surgery. Swelling peaks at 72 hours and takes approximately 1 week to completely resolve.

Bleeding: It is not unusual to have some slight bleeding. If the site continues to bleed, try to relax and apply constant pressure with moist gauze or a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. In order to avoid bleeding, keep your head elevated during the first evening, discontinue your exercise regime for 1-2 days, and restrict yourself to a soft diet. As well, do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, smoke, or drink alcohol for 24 hours following surgery. You may want to cover your pillow in order to avoid staining the cover the night following surgery.

Oral Hygiene: After surgery it is important to keep your teeth and mouth as clean as possible. Gentle rinsing with warm salt-water (1/2 tsp salt in warm water) can be used several times daily. The non-treated areas can be brushed normally. If a periodontal dressing is placed, it may fall off on its own. Do not be alarmed if this occurs. The dressing may be gently removed with your fingers if it becomes loose. Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours following surgery.

Post-operative appointments: You will be seen two weeks after the surgery for suture removal and oral hygiene instruction. A q-tip can be used to clean the teeth at the grafted site for 4 weeks following your initial post-operative visit. Flossing can be re-instituted after your initial post-operative visit, but the floss must not hit the gums. A second post-operative visit to assess healing will take place 2-3 weeks later. Complete healing of the graft can take up to one year.

Medication: The prescribed antibiotic must be completed.

Discomfort: Pain relief medication will be prescribed. Ibuprofen (600 mg) 4 times daily and extra strength Tylenol is usually sufficient. Tylenol #3 may also be prescribed. This is a strong painkiller and should only be used if other drugs are not effective.

Swelling: To avoid swelling use a cold pack (ice or frozen vegetables) wrapped in a moist towel on the side of your face 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 12 hours following surgery. Swelling peaks at 72 hours and takes approximately 1 week to completely resolve.

Bleeding: It is not unusual to have some slight bleeding. If the site continues to bleed, try to relax and apply constant pressure with moist gauze or a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. In order to avoid bleeding, keep your head elevated during the first evening, discontinue your exercise regime for 1-2 days, and restrict yourself to a soft diet. As well, do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, smoke, or drink alcohol for 24 hours following surgery. You may want to cover your pillow in order to avoid staining the cover the night following surgery.

Oral Hygiene: After surgery it is important to keep your teeth and mouth as clean as possible. The prescribed antibacterial mouthrinse is to be used twice a day starting the day following surgery for 4 days and then applied locally with a q-tip. Warm salt-water rinses (1/2 tsp salt in warm water) can be used several times daily, especially after meals, until the site is completely healed. The non-treated areas can be brushed normally. Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours following surgery. 

Post-operative appointments: If you are wearing partial or full dentures, your dentist usually needs to make adjustments. You will be seen for 3 post-operative visits.

1. One week following surgery to check healing and remove sutures.
2. 3-4 months after surgery to verify clinically and radiographically that the implant has integrated with the bone.
3. After your dentist has placed the tooth for a final assessment and to review oral hygiene.

Your dentist should see you every three months for maintenance.

Discomfort: Pain relief medication will be prescribed. Ibuprofen (600 mg) 4 times daily and extra strength Tylenol is usually sufficient. Tylenol #3 may also be prescribed. This is a strong painkiller and should only be used if other drugs are not effective.

Swelling: To avoid swelling use a cold pack (ice or frozen vegetables) wrapped in a moist towel on the side of your face 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 12 hours following surgery. Swelling peaks at 72 hours and takes approximately 1 week to completely resolve.

Bleeding: It is not unusual to have some slight bleeding. If the site continues to bleed, try to relax and apply constant pressure with moist gauze or a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. In order to avoid bleeding, keep your head elevated during the first evening, discontinue your exercise regime for 1-2 days, and restrict yourself to a soft diet. As well, do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, smoke, or drink alcohol for 24 hours following surgery. You may want to cover your pillow in order to avoid staining the cover the night following surgery.

Oral Hygiene: After surgery it is important to keep your teeth and mouth as clean as possible.  Gentle rinsing with warm salt-water (1/2 tsp salt in warm water) can be used several times daily. The non-treated areas can be brushed normally. If a periodontal dressing is placed, it may fall off on its own. Do not be alarmed if this occurs. The dressing may be gently removed with your fingers if it becomes loose. Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours following surgery.

Post-operative appointments: You will be seen one week after the surgery for suture removal and oral hygiene instruction. A soft toothbrush can now be used to clean the teeth in the surgical site. Within two weeks of the surgery you should begin to resume your usual oral hygiene regime. Use of a rubber tip starting two weeks after surgery can help with healing and pocket reduction.

Following periodontal surgery your teeth may be sensitive to heat and cold. This is normal and will gradually subside over time. Once your condition has been stabilized you will be placed on a 3-month maintenance program.