After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

UNCOVERING AND EXPOSURE POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. If you have received IV sedation, a responsible adult must accompany you from the facility to home, and remain with you until the next morning.
  2. GET PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED.  (If you were not given a prescription for an anti-inflammatory, you make take Ibuprofen over the counter as directed on the bottle, if you have no allergies or sensitivities to it).
  3. Take gauze out upon arriving home and GET SOMETHING SOFT TO EAT. (soup, yogurt, ice cream, jell-o, pudding, etc.)
  4. REPLACE GAUZE after eating.  Place moistened gauze over site and hold firm pressure for about 30-45 minutes. (you may then remove gauze and re-evaluate bleeding.)  For minimal bleeding (quarter-size amount) do not replace gauze.  It is normal to ooze for the first 24 hours but it should not be constant bright red.  (if you run out of gauze use a moistened tea bag).  If bleeding is excessive call our office.
  5. TAKE MEDICATIONS AS DIRECTED.   Make sure to eat before starting medications to avoid nausea.  Please wait 30-45 minutes after eating before taking pain medication.  Avoid alcoholic beverages.  If an anti-inflammatory medication was not given, you can take Motrin or Ibuprofen 200mg, 3 tablets 3 times a day.  
  6. Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.  
  7. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS. (to prevent dehydration)  Avoid hot liquids or foods for the first 24 hours, in order to cut down on bleeding.  Drink at least 5-6 glasses of liquid a day.  If you suddenly sit up or stand from a lying position you may become dizzy.  If you are lying make sure you sit for a minute before standing. 
  8. BRUISING is bleeding under the skin and may appear a blue or black discoloration which then fades to brown, green, and yellow.  Swelling and bruising will tend to move down into the neck and sometimes even to the chest, due to gravity over time.  This is normal and requires no treatment, unless swallowing or breathing is impaired. 
  9. SWELLING is often associated with oral surgery.  Keep your head elevated while resting or sleeping for 3-5 days after surgery to minimize swelling.   Swelling may be worse on you third day after surgery.  Try using a cold pack, ice bag, or frozen peas wrapped in a towel and applied to the cheek adjacent to the surgical site.  This should be applied for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 24 hours.  After the first 24 hours swelling or jaw stiffness may be relaxed by applying warm moist heat or a heating pad throughout the day several times a day.  (If you have been prescribed medication for the swelling take it as directed.)
  10. FOR THE NEXT 3-5 DAYS it’s good to stick with softer foods so not to disturb the surgical site and avoiding things hot so not to start excessive bleeding.  Gradually return to diet as tolerated.  DO NOT SMOKE. This slows the healing process and can cause bleeding also.  
  11. Be sure to continue good oral hygiene to keep surgical site clean.  You may rinse with salt water several times a day after the first 24 hours and continue to until healing is complete.  A CLEAN WOUND HEALS BETTER AND FASTER.
  12. You may have dissolvable sutures in place.  If these were to come out today, that is Okay, we would not have to replace them.  We do encourage you not to disturb them so that they will help slow bleeding.
  13. You should plan to see your orthodontist within about 14 days to activate the eruption process with traction if a bracket and chain is applied.
  14. OFFICE CALLS:    During regular office hours (8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Thursday and 8 AM to 12 PM on Friday) there will be staff members available to answer problems and questions at Greenville Office Phone Number 864-458-9800 or 864-442-6564.
    • If necessary, your phone message and chart will be given to Dr. Williams to address any further questions or concerns.  Please be sure to provide a phone number where you can be reached in the evening.
    • Prescription refills will only be called in during regular business hours, as your records need to be available for Dr. Williams. 
    • Dr. Williams will not be able to refill a controlled substance prescription after office hours.  
    • After hours, or on days the office is closed, Dr. Williams can be paged through our answering service for urgent or emergency calls only.   If your call is not returned within 30 minutes, please contact the answering service again.  Please remember Dr. Williams may be handling emergencies.

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