After Bone Grafting / Jaw Reconstuction

The site of the bone grafting must not be disturbed during the first 7 days following your treatment.

Do not wear your removable prosthetic until advised by our Surgeons &/or Nurses.

There may be stitches placed at the treatment site. If the stitches are of the dissolvable type, they will fall out on their own within 3 to 7 days. We will remove any stitches which have not dissolved on their own.

Diet

Day 1 – Drink plenty of fluids following your treatment. Clear, cool and “flat” (non-carbonated) fluids are recommended during the first 48 hours following treatment.

Do not eat foods that require you to chew in the area of the dental implant(s). Remain on a soft non-chew diet for the first 5 days after surgery or as instructed by the surgeons &/or nurses at Contours Oral Surgery.

Day 2 and 3 – Full fluids such as yogurt, protein drinks (Ensure), cream soups and other such foods that can be spooned into your mouth and not chewed are recommended.

Day 4 to 10 – Soft non-chew diet (e.g. mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pasta)

Avoid popcorn, nuts, seeds (e.g. sesame seeds, sunflower seeds etc) or hard crunchy foods for at least 2 weeks after your surgery.

Using a straw is not recommended for the first 24 hours after surgery as it may increase negative pressure in your mouth and increase bleeding from the treatment site. Straws may also traumatize the wound while the local anesthesia is effective.

Bleeding

Mild bleeding from the surgical site or redness of the saliva is normal during the first 24 hours following treatment.

Apply the sterile gauze provided to you from Contours following your treatment directly to the surgical wound. Change the gauze before it becomes saturated with blood or saliva, generally between 20 and 30 minutes apart.

Excessive bleeding, or bleeding that is profuse and constant must be reported to our office immediately in order for our surgeons to manage your care.

Swelling

Gum and facial swelling is normal and may continue for at least 24 to 48 hours following your treatment. To help minimize swelling, apply an icepack to the the cheek adjacent to the extraction site for 5 to 10 minutes during the first 24 hours after treatment. If both sides of the mouth were treated, alternate the ice pack application, 5 to 10 minutes per side for the first 24 hours after treatment.

Pain

You will be prescribed or recommended pain medications to take after your treatment. The surgeons &/or nurses of Contours Oral Surgery will provide you or your responsible adult escort with the details for how to take these medications. The information will also be clearly labelled on your prescription bottle.

Antibiotics

Please be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics to help prevent infections.

Oral Hygiene

Gentle oral hygiene is recommended for the first 48 hours following your treatment. Do not brush the gums directly near the surgical wound. Supplement gentle oral hygiene with the prescribed Chlorhexidine rinse starting 24 hours after your treatment. Aggressive brushing or rinsing during the first 24 hours after your treatment may cause bleeding form the site.

Activity

Reduced physical activity following your treatment is recommended. Avoid excessive exercise, long distance running or heavy lifting during the first week following your treatment.

Questions or Emergencies

Please review the detailed post-operative instruction form provided to you following your treatment.

Please call our office during regular business hours for further instructions.

The on-call Oral Surgeon is available after hours for emergency care