You must first complete a form collecting details about your condition before your first appointment at the clinic. We also invite you to prepare a list of medicines that you take.
To facilitate the registration process, we invite you to fill out the medical form at home or to present yourself 15 minutes earlier to your appointment:
Download the form (dynamic PDF)
Print it out and give it to the receptionist upon arrival, along with your full list of medications.
Please remember to bring your identity card/passport and any X-rays you may have.
Pre-op instructions for dental surgery differ depending on which procedure you are undergoing and the type of sedation or anesthesia you will receive. For patients who are only receiving local anesthetic, the process of preparing for oral surgery is simple. You do not need to worry about eating beforehand or having a ride home.
You should arrange for someone to take you to and from your appointment. They may need to stay with you for a few hours after you return home and help you with some basic tasks.
If you have a significant medical issue, such as diabetes or heart disease, you should inform your dentist in advance of your procedure. Some patients require antibiotics before undergoing surgery, such as those with artificial heart valves or a joint replacement.
You should also provide a list of any medications you take regularly, including blood thinners and insulin. Some medications can interfere with healing and your doctor may need to adjust your dosage prior to treatment.
Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing and a sleeveless or short sleeved shirt.
Wear flat-soled shoes that support your ankles.
Avoid alcohol and smoking for 24 hours before surgery.
Stop bleeding
After tooth extraction, it is important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That is why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, insert another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.
After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.
A small amount of bleeding is to be expected following the operation. If bleeding occurs, place a gauze pad directly over the bleeding socket and apply biting pressure for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, a moist tea bag can be used for 30 minutes. If bleeding occurs, avoid hot liquids, exercise, and elevate the head. If bleeding persists, call our office immediately. If given a denture, do not remove immediate denture unless the bleeding is severe. Expect some oozing around the side of the denture.
Do not rinse your mouth for the first post-operative day, or while there is bleeding. After the first day, use a warm salt-water rinse every four hours and following meals to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the operated area. (One teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water.). After you have seen your dentist for denture adjustment, take out denture and rinse three to four times a day.
REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.
After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Apply ice for the first 36 hours only. Apply ice continuously while you are awake.
Post-operative discomfort is normal after oral surgery procedures. Start taking the medication as prescribed by your doctor. The prescribed pain medicine will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Be sure to eat something prior to taking pain medication to reduce nausea. If you have any questions, please contact your doctor
If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or other unfavorable reaction. Call the office if you have any questions. Be aware that some antibiotics can reduce the contraceptive effect of birth control pills. Please contact your gynecologist or pharmacist if you have concerns.
Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
If immediate dentures have been inserted, sore spots may develop. It is important to make the necessary adjustments to relieve those sore spots. Failure to do so may result in severe denture sores, which may prolong the healing process.
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. The prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The night of surgery use the prescribed oral rinse solution before bed. The day after surgery, the rinse solution should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm saltwater rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.
Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation.