Patient Instructions

Pre-Operative Instructions

Please do not eat or drink anything – including water – eight hours prior to your surgery
Do not smoke 12 hours before your surgery
Please bring a responsible adult to accompany you to with your appointment, be there with you in the office throughout the procedure and to be available to take you home afterwards
Please do not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia
Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes
Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery
Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery
If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office
If you take routine oral medications, please check with Dr. Antipov prior to your surgical date for instructions
Take your blood pressure medication with a small sip of water the morning of your surgery or as directed by your cardiologist

Post-Operative Instructions

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of your surgery. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through gum tissue.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness is normal for the first 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.

Swelling

To minimize swelling, which is a normal occurrence after surgery, apply a plastic bag or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of your surgery continuously for the first 36 hours.

Diet

To avoid irritation, eat soft foods, drink plenty of fluids and avoid hot liquids or foods on the day of your surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, several over the counter medications can be used including 1 or 2 Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol or 200 milligram Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. On the night following your surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before going to bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. The day following your surgery, Peridex should be used after breakfast and before going to bed. Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a dayespecially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem but be gentle brushing the surgical areas.

Activity

Avoid excessive physical activity as exercise may cause throbbing or bleeding. If this occurs, discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you may not be eating normally and may need to further limit your exercise.