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Before & after your visit

Patient
Information

Everything you need to prepare for your procedure and recover comfortably — pre- and post-operative instructions for each of our services.

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Important: These are general guidelines. Your surgeon will provide personalised instructions specific to your procedure at your consultation. Always follow the instructions given directly by your care team. If you have questions, call us at 302-995-1870.

Wisdom Teeth Dental Implants IV Sedation Jaw Surgery Bone Grafting General Tips

Extraction

Wisdom Teeth
Removal

Following these instructions carefully will help minimise swelling, reduce the risk of complications such as dry socket, and support a smooth recovery.

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Before your procedure
  • 1
    If you are having IV sedation, do not eat or drink anything, including water, for at least 8 hours before your appointment.
  • 2
    Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day if you are having sedation.
  • 3
    Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with short sleeves or sleeves that roll up easily.
  • 4
    Take any prescribed pre-operative medications (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories) as directed.
  • 5
    Let us know if you are taking blood thinners or any other medications — we will advise whether to pause them.
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After your procedure
  • 1
    Bite firmly on the gauze placed at the extraction site for 30–45 minutes. Replace as directed if bleeding continues.
  • 2
    Do not rinse, spit forcefully, use a straw, or smoke for at least 24 hours — these actions can dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket.
  • 3
    Apply ice packs to your cheek for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours to reduce swelling.
  • 4
    Take pain medication as prescribed. Start it before the anaesthetic fully wears off for best effect.
  • 5
    Eat soft foods only (yogurt, scrambled eggs, soup) for the first few days. Avoid crunchy, hard, or spicy foods.
  • 6
    After 24 hours, gently rinse with warm salt water (½ tsp salt in 8 oz water) after meals. Avoid commercial mouthwashes.
  • 7
    Rest for the remainder of the day. Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 3–4 days.

Call us if you experience

  • Bleeding that doesn't slow after 1 hour of firm gauze pressure
  • Severe or worsening pain after 3–4 days (possible dry socket)
  • Fever above 101°F, or increasing swelling after day 3
  • Numbness or tingling that persists beyond the day of surgery

Questions? Call us at 302-995-1870.

Tooth Replacement

Dental
Implants

Implant surgery involves two phases — placement of the implant and, after healing, placement of the final crown. These instructions apply to the surgical placement phase.

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Before your procedure
  • 1
    If you are having IV sedation, do not eat or drink anything, including water, for at least 8 hours before your appointment..
  • 2
    Arrange a driver for any appointment involving sedation.
  • 3
    Take any prescribed antibiotics as directed — usually starting 1 day before the procedure.
  • 4
    Inform us of all medications and supplements, especially blood thinners, aspirin, or anti-inflammatory drugs.
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After your procedure
  • 1
    Some bleeding and swelling are normal for the first 24–48 hours. Keep your head elevated — even when sleeping — for the first night.
  • 2
    Take antibiotics and pain medications as prescribed. Complete the full antibiotic course even if you feel well.
  • 3
    Eat a soft diet for at least one week. Do not chew directly on the implant site.
  • 4
    Keep the area clean but gentle. Brush surrounding teeth normally; avoid directly scrubbing the surgical site for the first week.
  • 5
    Do not smoke during the healing period — ideally for at least 6 weeks. Smoking is the leading cause of implant failure.
  • 6
    Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments — these allow us to monitor osseointegration and address any issues early.

Call us if you experience

  • Implant feels loose or moves
  • Increasing pain or swelling after the first few days
  • Fever, pus, or foul taste near the implant site
  • Numbness that doesn't resolve

Questions? Call us at 302-995-1870.

Anaesthesia

IV Sedation
Instructions

These instructions apply to any procedure performed under IV sedation at our office. Strictly following them is essential for your safety.

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Before your procedure
  • 1
    Do not eat or drink anything, including water, for at least 8 hours before your appointment..
  • 2
    A responsible adult must drive you to and from the appointment and remain available for the rest of the day. You cannot take a taxi or rideshare alone.
  • 3
    Wear short sleeves or sleeves that roll up easily above the elbow for IV placement.
  • 4
    Do not wear nail polish on at least one finger — we use a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen levels.
  • 5
    Take essential daily medications with the smallest possible sip of water, unless instructed otherwise. Tell us everything you take.
  • 6
    Do not consume alcohol or other substances for 24 hours before sedation.
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After your procedure
  • 1
    You will feel drowsy for several hours after sedation. Rest at home for the remainder of the day.
  • 2
    Do not drive, operate machinery, sign legal documents, or make important decisions for 24 hours after sedation.
  • 3
    Begin with clear liquids and progress to soft foods as tolerated. Nausea is common — start slowly.
  • 4
    Do not consume alcohol or other substances for at least 24 hours after sedation.
  • 5
    Have your companion stay with you until you are fully alert and stable.

Go to the emergency room if you experience

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or rapid heart rate
  • Severe allergic reaction (hives, throat swelling)
  • Loss of consciousness or inability to wake up

Questions before your appointment? Call us at 302-995-1870.

Orthognathic

Corrective Jaw
Surgery

Jaw surgery is a significant procedure performed in a hospital setting. Recovery takes several weeks — plan ahead and follow your surgeon's instructions carefully.

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Before your procedure
  • 1
    If you are having IV sedation, do not eat or drink anything, including water, for at least 8 hours before your appointment..
  • 2
    Arrange at least one week off work or school. Most patients need 2–3 weeks before returning to light activities.
  • 3
    Prepare your home with liquid and soft foods in advance — blender, protein shakes, broths, yogurt, smoothies.
  • 4
    Have a responsible adult available to care for you for at least the first week at home.
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After your procedure
  • 1
    Expect significant swelling and bruising for 1–2 weeks. Swelling peaks around day 3 and slowly improves. Sleeping with your head elevated helps.
  • 2
    Your jaw may be wired or banded shut temporarily. A liquid/blended diet is essential — all nutrition must pass through a small opening.
  • 3
    Take all prescribed medications (pain relief, antibiotics, anti-nausea) as directed. Set alarms if needed.
  • 4
    Keep your mouth clean with saline rinses and a soft-bristle toothbrush on accessible teeth.
  • 5
    Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 6 weeks. Light walking is encouraged after the first week.
  • 6
    Attend all post-operative appointments — typically at 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months after surgery.

Call us or go to ER if you experience

  • Difficulty breathing or airway obstruction
  • Fever above 101.5°F for more than 24 hours
  • Sudden increase in pain or swelling after initial improvement
  • Hardware feels loose or broken

Questions? Call us at 302-995-1870.

Bone Restoration

Bone
Grafting

Bone graft sites need time and protection to heal properly. The graft material must integrate with your existing bone over several months — how you care for it matters.

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Before your procedure
  • 1
    If you are having IV sedation, do not eat or drink anything, including water, for at least 8 hours before your appointment..
  • 2
    Take any pre-operative antibiotics as prescribed — usually beginning the day before.
  • 3
    Inform us of any medications or supplements you are taking, particularly those affecting bone metabolism.
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After your procedure
  • 1
    Do not disturb the graft site with your tongue, fingers, or any object. The graft material and membrane must remain undisturbed.
  • 2
    Eat soft foods only and chew on the opposite side from the graft for at least 2 weeks.
  • 3
    Do not smoke for a minimum of 4–6 weeks — ideally until implant placement. Smoking is the primary cause of graft failure.
  • 4
    Take all medications as prescribed.
  • 5
    After 24 hours, use gentle warm salt water rinses. Avoid vigorous rinsing near the graft site.
  • 6
    Small white granules appearing at the site can be normal — do not attempt to remove them. Call us if concerned.

Call us if you notice

  • The membrane (if placed) appears to be coming loose
  • Significant swelling or pus after the first week
  • Fever, or pain that worsens instead of improving

Questions? Call us at 302-995-1870.

For all procedures

General recovery
guidelines

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Medications

Always take prescribed medications as directed. Do not stop antibiotics early even if you feel fine. Over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil) is often effective for post-surgical pain unless contraindicated — ask your surgeon.

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Diet & Hydration

Stay well hydrated. Soft foods like yogurt, eggs, soup, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and protein shakes are your friends during recovery. Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, and chewy foods until cleared by your surgeon.

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Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene supports healing. Gently brush non-surgical areas normally. Use warm salt water rinses after 24 hours — but avoid vigorous rinsing near the surgical site. Avoid commercial mouthwashes unless prescribed.

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Rest

Rest is one of the most powerful healing tools you have. Sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first few nights to reduce swelling. Avoid exercise, bending, and heavy lifting for at least a few days post-surgery.

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No Smoking

Smoking significantly increases the risk of complications including dry socket, infection, implant failure, and poor wound healing. We strongly advise stopping well before your procedure and throughout recovery.

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When to Call Us

Don't hesitate — if something feels wrong, call us. We'd much rather answer a question early than manage a complication later. Reach us at 302-995-1870 during office hours.

We're here for you

Questions about
your procedure?

Our team is always happy to walk you through what to expect. Reach out before or after your visit — we're here to help.

Send Us a Message Call 302-995-1870