Wisdom Teeth Removal

We sincerely believe that one can look forward to oral surgery when well informed, well prepared and well assisted. In fact, one of our missions is to ensure that all of our patients are well accompanied to make an informed decision and to make sure that your experience is as comforting and as enjoyable as possible. To better prepare for your surgery and ensure your comfort and the best possible results, it is highly recommended that you follow these procedures and guidelines in preparation for your surgical treatment.

BEFORE YOUR SURGERY  | GENERAL INFORMATION

Medication
• Inform your oral and maxillofacial surgeon of any medications or natural products that you are taking.
• If you have been prescribed antibiotics, you should take them according to the instructions. Do not use aspirin or tablets containing aspirin during the week before your surgery unless prescribed by your doctor for a specific medical condition.
• For women who are using birth control pills and taking antibiotics, be advised to use an additional method of birth control as antibiotics lessen the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
• If your surgeon has asked you to take medication before your treatment, take it with a small quantity of water one hour before your appointment.
• Do not take any other medications on the same day of your surgery without first consulting with your surgeon.

Dress
Wear loose-fitting clothes. You want to make sure that you are comfortable.
For men and women: short sleeve shirts or blouses are preferred.

*If undergoing Intravenous (IV) sedation, please review the following instructions.

AFTER YOUR SURGERY | GENERAL INFORMATION
The following applies to dental implants and wisdom teeth removal

Immediately following your surgery, you may rest for short (15-30 minutes) while in the clinic before you are ready to return home . If you have received intravenous sedation you must not drive for 12 to 24 hours afterwards. You must have a responsible adult accompanying you and taking you home.  Please follow the instructions below regarding what to eat and how to care for your mouth after your wisdom teeth removal or dental implant treatment:

Medication
Take your antibiotics and pain medication as prescribed.  Antibiotics are not routinely given and their use is limited to particular situations. Please make sure to carefully follow the instructions given on the bottle.

Start you pain medication as soon as you return home before the freezing completely wears off and continue using on a regular basis for the first 48 to 72 hours. Some pain medication will make your feel sleepy, so it is advised that you do not drive or operate machinery.

 Head position
If possible, use an extra pillow for the first two nights after your surgery to help reduce swelling.

Bleeding
You can expect some bleeding 24-48 hours after you surgery. We will provide you with cotton sponges that you can placefolded in four on the bleeding area and bite down, applying firm pressure for 20 minutes. Refrain from splitting as this may promote bleeding.

Swelling
After surgery, there is often mild swelling of the face and at times, bruising of the skin. Be assured that this is a normal part of the recovery process. Hold an ice pack to your face (30 minutes on and 30 minutes off) for the first 48 hours to reduce the swelling. You can expect the swelling to be the greatest within 24-48 hours after surgery. Swelling can last for 7-10 days. If the swelling disappears and then returns a few days later, please contact your surgeon immediately as this may be an indication of an infection.

Nutrition
Eat a light diet including soft foods such as yogurt, soup, milk products and Jell-O for the first few days. Progress to a normal diet as you are feeling more comfortable after 2-3 days. Avoid hot food and do not use a straw as this may lead to bleeding.

Smoking
Please refrain from smoking, as it is known to diminish your capacity for healing by decreasing the blood supply to the surgical site. Smoking may increase your risk for the development of an infection or implant failure.

Hygiene
Optimal healing after your oral surgery requires that you keep your teeth and mouth clean. This also diminishes the chance of infection. Starting the day after surgery, a salt-water rinse (1 teaspoon of salt in one glass of warm water) should be used after meals and before bedtime.

You may brush your teeth as usual but should avoid the areas of your mouth that were treated. You may be instructed to use a special mouthwash to keep healing area clean. If so please do so. Brushing a treated site within the first week of surgery may induce bleeding and discomfort. Avoid commercial mouthwashes as they contain alcohol and can irritate the treated area. Gentle tooth brushing of the teeth and surgical site can be resumed within 7-10 days after surgery using a soft brush.

Stitches
Dissolving stitches: Dissolving stitched are used for most operations. These normally begin to fall out five to seven days after your oral-dental treatment. Non-dissolving sutures: In some cases, non-dissolving sutures are needed and these must be removed within 10 to 14 days after treatment.

Dentures or Prosthesis
It is important that you do not wear your old dentures or temporary prosthesis until your surgeon advises you to do so. They may require adjustment or relining. If they are inserted too early this could interfere with the healing process

Activity
Normally, light physical activity (jogging, aerobic exercise) can be resumed 48-72 hours after your treatment.

Follow-up Appointments
A member of our professional team will set up an appointment within 7 to 14 days after surgery for us to check on your healing process.

For more information or questions, please contact us.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION
If you HAD surgery under intravenous (IV) sedation or general anesthesia

Since the medications given to your intravenously will still be in your system after the surgery, you may feel sleepy. It is thus important to follow these precautions:
• Please have a responsible adult accompany you to your appointment and drive you home after your surgery.
• You should plan to rest for the remainder of the day, keeping your head elevated.
• Change position slowly when trying to get up. You may experience dizziness if you try to get up abruptly from a sitting to a standing position.
• You should not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after your sedation.
• You should not drink any alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after your sedation.

If you experience any of the following, contact us!

  • Increasing swelling under the tongue or around the face and neck
  • Continuous bleeding
  • Jaw or mouth pain that does not stop after you take the pain medication you have been given
  • Fever (greater than 38.5°C)
  • Presence of numbness after the anesthetic has worn off