BONE GRAFTING POST OP INSTRUCTIONS

After having a bone graft placed, you may find some small white granules in your mouth over the first several days. Do not be alarmed by these. It is normal to have some of them come out of the graft site. Here are some things you can do to minimize the number of particles that become dislodged:

Diet

A soft, mild, and nutritionally balanced diet should be consumed for 2–4 days (or longer if necessary) after your surgery. As the tissue around the bone graft heals, you can return to your normal eating routine. Crunchy hard foods are more likely to irritate the site. Avoid popcorn, nuts, and seeds. Make sure you are well hydrated with water, and avoid carbonation for the first 24 hours

Swelling

Swelling from oral surgery is normal and reaches its maximum in 48 hours. Keeping the head elevated with 2 pillows when lying down can minimize facial swelling. Swelling can also be minimized by applying cold compresses to your face (30 minutes on, 30 minutes off) for the first 48 hours. After 48 hours, warm compresses will help reduce the swelling. These should be continued (30 minutes on, 30 minutes off) until the swelling has subsided.

Rinsing

No vigorous rinsing or spitting for 3–5 days. After the first day a very gentle warm salt water rinse can be used to help keep the site clean. If you over-do it by rinsing or spitting too forcefully, you can disrupt the blood clot and delay healing.

  • You may softly brush the adjacent tooth surfaces as long as the brush does not disturb the graft site.

  • Avoid applying pressure with your tongue or fingers to the grafted area, as the material is movable during the initial healing period.

  • Do not lift or pull the lip to look at the sutures. This can actually cause damage to the wound site and tear the sutures.

Denture or Flipper

On the day of your surgery, you will be given specific instructions regarding when you should wear your denture or flipper. Possible options may include:

  • Leave denture or flipper out of your mouth until you are instructed to wear it. It must be realigned before wearing it.

  • Leave your denture or flipper in place for 48 hours then remove it. Wear the denture or flipper only as instructed by your doctor.

  • We will tell you which is applicable for your case.

Other general precautions include:

  • If any sores or swelling develop around or under your denture or flipper, leave it out of your mouth and call the office.

  • If you cannot place your denture or flipper back in your mouth, leave it out and call the office.

Bruising

Sometimes bruising may occur 24 or 48 hours after surgery has been performed. Application of warm compresses to the involved area (30 minutes on, 30 minutes off) will expedite the healing process.

Bleeding

If you experience heavy bleeding, it usually means you need to apply more pressure on the extraction site. Try repositioning fresh gauzee pads so that pressure is directly on the surgical area, and your remaining teeth are kept apart slightly by the pad. If this does not work, use a cooled off tea bag to apply pressure (black tea, not herbal.)

Pain

Unfortunately, most oral surgery procedures are accompanied by some degree of discomfort. Nearly one hundred percent of the time, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) are adequate if there are no allergies, they have been tolerated in the past, and they do not interfere with any other medications. A combination of 600mg ibuprofen (three 200mg tablets) plus one 325 tablet of acetaminophen can be taken together for severe pain. Studies have shown this combination is most effective for post-op pain. In rare cases, a prescribed narcotic may be prescribed. Taking your medications with food will decrease the chance of nausea. Remember, narcotic pain medications will impair your judgment and reflexes, so driving and operating heavy machinery is to be avoided.

Antibiotics

You may be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infections. Please take all of the medication as directed. If you experience any adverse reactions, such as nausea, rash, or itching, discontinue the medication and call our office and speak with your pharmacist. A rash or itching may indicate an allergic reaction to a medication. Antihistamines (Benadryl®) will usually counteract the hives, rash, and itching. Swelling of the lips or tongue or difficulty breathing may represent a more severe allergic reaction, and you should seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Infection

Although antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent an infection, a wound infection may occur a day or several days after surgery. You may be suspicious of an infection if there is a sudden increase in swelling, throbbing pain, or a foul-tasting drainage from the wound. If you suspect infection, call the office as soon as possible.

Smoking and Alcohol

Tobacco and alcohol should be eliminated during the first 2 weeks after surgery.