At Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry, we recommend our patients how to prepare before and after the surgery appointment. There are a few steps that patients need to take prior to anesthesia on the day of the surgery. First, patients should not eat or drink anything at least 8 hours prior to surgery and refrain from smoking 12 hours prior to the procedure. It is advisable to ask a family member to accompany you to the surgery and drive you home. On the day of surgery, do not wear any jewelry, contact lenses, or dentures. If you regularly take medications, discuss those with the doctor to ensure that they are approved prior to surgery. Make sure medical clearance is completed prior to any surgical procedure.
Wisdom teeth can grow in many directions. Usually impacted teeth means, that the wisdom tooth did not come out to the surface through the tissue. Wisdom teeth can be partially or completely impacted. At Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry, the treating Dentist will discuss post operative care before and after the procedure. Depending on the surgery, most patients can experience, mild to moderate discomfort and some swelling within the first 24-48 hours. Immediately after surgery, a gauze pad will be placed over the extraction site, which should not be removed for at least 45 minutes.To help minimize the discomfort the dental office will give a Rx for antibiotics to reduce infection and pain medication to overcome the discomfort. You may use cold compresses to alleviate the swelling. Sutures are often placed at the extractions site to control bleeding and promote healing. Depending on the type of sutures, some will either dissolve over time or patient will be required to come back for post care appointment for the dentist to remove the sutures. At Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry we recommend salt water rinses to keep the extractions site clean and minimize bacterial accumulation. The office will discuss about food restrictions. Smoking is prohibited as it can cause dry socket condition. We also encourage patients to refrain from drinking from a straw or rinsing the mouth to ensure that you do not dislodge the blood clot that has formed. Limit your activities within the first 24 hours. You can resume your regular activities the following day. Patients who develop dry socket condition experience extreme pain and the healing process is prolonged. SO PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE OR USE A STRAW.
In case of multiple extractions, sometimes the bone around the extraction site is shaped to prepare for any future prosthesis to be placed. Every individual heals differently, from years of experience Dr Jafferally has also seen patients may experience swelling both inside the mouth and possibly around the eye. The area around your eye may become discolored. Patients get very apprehensive in this situation. The swelling can be minimized and eventually alleviated by warm compressions. This takes few days to a week to improve. The muscles near the extraction site may become sore after surgery, causing a sore throat. This is normal as well. During the surgery, the cheek is pulled and stretched. This results in the corners of the mouth to become dry and cracked. Keep the corners of the mouth moist by using Vaseline or chap stick.
Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry strongly believes in service and educating our patients what to expect before and after surgical procedures.SO there are no Surprises !!. Use this guide to educate your self before the surgery day. If you have additional questions, please call the office 281 937 7530 and consult with the treating Dentist so all your concerns are answered before the surgery.