Periodontal Bone Grafting

Pre-Operative Instructions

  1. Start a Multivitamin of your choice a few days prior to the surgery.
  2. Take preoperative medications:
    1. Antibiotic: (e. g. Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Clindamycin). Start first dose at least one day prior to surgery.
    2. Topical Antimicrobial mouth rinse: Chlorhexidine (Peridex) Oral Rinse. Start one to two days prior to procedure.
  3. Contact the office if you have tenderness, throbbing pain or swelling in the area of the proposed procedure. The procedure may have to be delayed or changed.

Post-Operative Instructions

  1. Protection of the blood clot and surgical site
    Slight bleeding after implants is normal and may last for several hours. If bleeding is excessive then bite gently on folded gauze directly over bleeding area and replace as needed. If there is no active bleeding then leave the gauze out. Sit up or semi-recline. Avoid spitting, strenuous activity, bending over, sucking through a straw for 24 hours. No smoking for 48 hours.
  2. Rinsing Rinsing may dislodge the blood clot and interrupt the normal process of healing, so be gentle
    Day 1 (Day of surgery – first 24 hours after surgery)
    Very gently rinse twice with chlorhexidine rinse.
    Day 2 (24 hours after surgery until healing is complete)
    1. Brush your teeth, 3 times a day, be gentle around the surgical sites.
    2. Floss teeth. (Do not floss implants)
    3. Rinse gently using a glass of warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon per cup). Repeat rinsing 3 times a day.
    4. Follow with the chlorhexidine rinse 3 times a day.
  3. Care of teeth / Cleanliness and healing
    The teeth should be given their usual care. Brush three times a day. A clean mouth will heal faster. Be careful around the operative site, but still clean there. If the implant is protruding from the gums, use a cotton tipped applicator dipped in chlorhexidine to gently clean the exposed portion of the implant.
  4. Swelling / Fever
    An ice pack placed on face will be beneficial to help control swelling and bleeding. If extreme swelling occurs or a temperature above 101.5 contact my office.
  5. Pain
    Some discomfort is normal following oral surgery. If pain medication is prescribed, take only as directed. Often it is beneficial to take the medication after eating to help prevent nausea. Do not drive while using narcotic pain medications.

No Smoking or Alcohol

Do not smoke or drink alcohol for 48 hours following oral surgery. This may cause the disruption of healthy blood clot formation and increase in complications such as wound breakdown and post-operative infections.

Diet

No hot liquids, acidic foods or drinks for the first 72 hours. Eat something when you feel ready. Cool liquids are best to start but avoid sucking through straws. Then, when the numbness starts to wear off, progress to a soft diet but do not chew in the area of the surgery.

Injection site

After having intravenous anesthesia, the arm vein may become hardened and tender. Apply moist heat over the area for one hour three times a day for three days. Contact me if there is no improvement.

Foil and Colla-Plug

If Biofoil was placed it should remain for 24-72 hours. If it is not adherent then remove it. If a Colla-Plug was placed do not rinse it out or drink alcoholic or acidic beverages or soda.

Nausea

Nausea is a normal side effect of narcotic pain medications. If you have severe nausea or vomiting you may need to stop the pain medications or to take an additional anti-nausea medication.

Antibiotics and Contraception

Take antibiotic as prescribed until finished. Contraceptives may be ineffective while taking an antibiotic. Use extra protection.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days unless otherwise specified.