Bone Grafting

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Surgical Pre operative Instructions

• If you chose to have general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, do not have anything to eat or drink, including water, after Midnight the night before.
• If you take medications regularly, you should take them with small sips of water at the regular time.  Also, any additional medications which might be prescribed to you by our office should be taken with small sips of water as directed.
• Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing with short sleeves or sleeves that can be rolled up above the elbow.  You should not wear slip on shoes.
• Do not wear jewelry, including any mouth, tongue or facial piercings or makeup, including nail polish or eye cosmetics.  Please tie long hair back.
• If you wear contact lenses, please remove them prior to your appointment.
• No smoking the morning of surgery.
• Your mouth and teeth should be well cleansed to help avoid infection.
• Do not ignore a head or chest cold when oral surgery is to be performed.  Please call the office if you have any symptoms, as an appointment change may be necessary.
• If you wear dentures, please do not use denture adhesive.
• If you have general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, a responsible person must accompany you, remain in the reception area, and take you home.  You must NOT drive a car or operate machinery for 24 hours after intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.
• It is also recommended that a responsible person be with the patient at home the first day.
• If you are going to have local anesthesia only, you may eat prior to your appointment and do not need somebody to accompany you to the office unless you are under 18.

Surgical Post Operative Instructions

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.  Please try to call during office hours; however a 24-hour answering service is available for after hours contact with a doctor.  The after hours telephone number is (847) 381-0106

Brief Overview of General Care of your Mouth Following Extractions and other Oral Surgery

• Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours after surgery. 
• Keep fingers and tongue away from socket or surgical area. 
• Use ice packs on surgical area (side of face) for first 48 hours, apply ice 20 minutes on — 10 minutes off. Bags of frozen peas and corn work well. 
• For mild discomfort take Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Aleve as directed on the label, unless you cannot take those medications. 
• For severe pain, use the medication prescribed to you. 
• Drink plenty of fluids but, do not use a straw as extraction site healing can be disturbed.
• If the muscles of the jaw become stiff, chewing gum at intervals will help relax the muscles, as well as the use of warm, moist heat to the outside of your face over these muscles. 
• After the first post-operative day, use a warm salt-water rinse following meals for the first week to flush out particles of food and debris which may lodge in the surgical area. (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Mouthwash can be added for better taste.) 
• Diet may consist of soft foods which can be easily chewed and swallowed. No seeds, nuts, rice, popcorn, etc. 
• A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Bleeding is controlled by applying pressure to the surgical area using small rolled gauze for 30 minutes. After that time remove the gauze and then you may eat or drink. If bleeding persists, a moist tea bag should be placed in the area of bleeding and bite firmly for one hour straight. This will aid in clotting blood. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding still persists call our office. 
• We suggest that if you must smoke, you do not smoke for at least 5 days after surgery. Nicotine may break down the blood clot and cause a "dry-socket".