Guidance after dental extractions, surgical extractions, apicoectomies and dental implants
After today’s procedure, it’s important to follow these instructions so as to achieve the best results and keep your mouth healthy:
On the day of the procedure, do not drive vehicles or handle complex devices – you do so at your own risk. Please read all the instructions on the prescribed medication carefully and avoid physical effort and stress.
• Apply cold compresses or ice wrapped in cloth on the part/parts on the surgical site. Both should be applied intermittently for 20-30 minutes and then paused for 20-30 minutes. Continue for 2 days as this helps to reduce inflammation and pain. Do not apply heat.
• Avoid wide movements of the cheeks and lips (it could cause the sutures to come undone).
• Eat very soft and liquid food. Do not eat or drink anything hot or fizzy for a couple of days after surgery. Try not to chew with the part of the dental mouth that underwent surgery and do not touch the surgical site with your finger or tongue. Milk and dairy (yogurt, cheese) are allowed.
• Apply ointment or usual moisturizer onto the lips.
• Do not smoke at least until the stitches are removed. The stitches are removed after a period of 7 – 14 days. Total smoking cessation would be optimal for your oral and general health. Smoking can cause implant failure.
• Brush your teeth regularly (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss), carefully avoiding the stitches around the surgical site. Rinse carefully after brushing with a manual toothbrush, without puffing the cheeks up. You can use mouthwash with chlorhexidine (Corsodyl, Eludryl, Parodontax etc).
• Do not blow your nose, but finely swab it. Use nasal decongestant drops (Bixtonim, Olynt) 3 times a day in both nostrils if your nose is blocked. Please read the label carefully before use.
• Do not lean your face on your hands or sleep on the side of the surgical site – it is recommended to sleep on a pillow slightly higher than usual. Try to avoid straining your face for any reason. Use suppositors in case of constipation.
• Do not worry if the cheek is inflamed around the surgical site, or if opening the mouth and swallowing become slightly uncomfortable or limited. It is perfectly normal and will pass. We kindly ask you to take the medication prescribed for pain and inflammation, but if you experience significant pain, please contact us immediately.
• In case of bleeding in the surgical zone, apply a sterile compress. If the bleeding does not stop within 30 minutes, contact us immediately.
• Avoid putting any pressure on or touching the implants throughout the healing period.
• Should you feel generally unwell, measure your temperature regularly in the morning and evening. A slight increase in temperature is normal. If the temperature is above 38 ºC, contact us immediately. Local measures will be taken and you may be prescribed an antibiotics .
• If you suffer from any general diseases than affect your organs, which you have not already told us about, please contact us immediately. We will contact your doctor, who will establish a special treatment.
• Keep your appointments and continue to visit for regular check-ups!
Possible complications
• Post extraction haemorrhage – you will need to apply a sterile compress on the extraction site for 30 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, please contact us.
• Oedema –“swelling” is at its maximum 24 – 48 hours after surgery. From this point on, the swelling should start going down and this can be aided with ice or cold compresses covered in a towel (do not apply ice directly to the skin). Apply intermittently, holding on for 20 – 30 minutes and then removing for the same period of time, for 2 days.
• Most of the discomfort will be noticeable during the first 2- 3 days after surgery, but it will reduce after this. We recommend you take the prescribed pain killers; if pain occurs later (after 4-5 days), it could be a sign of infection so please contact us.
• Trismus (lockjaw) – this can temporarily prevent the opening of the mouth and can sometimes occurs after the extraction of the wisdom tooth . In extreme cases it may last for up to week. We recommend trying mechano-therapy, which involves placing your fingers on the back teeth and pushing them apart gently. By moving a little further each day, you will achieve maximum opening of the mouth.
• Dysphagia – this can cause pain when swallowing and appears after the extraction of a wisdom tooth; it lasts a few days and will just disappear on its own.
• Paraesthesia –this can lead to lack of sensitivity in a certain area, usually in the lower lip. It occurs after extractions of the lower premolars/molars or after inserting implants in this area as a result of swelling. It will disappear after a few days. It may also happen around the lower teeth after a bone grafting procedure – this may take a little longer to subside, perhaps a week or two.