Post visit care instructions

Before Intravenous Anesthesia Sedation

Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to ensure that we may serve you and other patients as safely and efficiently as possible.

You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for eight (8) hours prior to the appointment.
No smoking at least 12 hours before surgery. Ideally, cut down or stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the day of surgery. It is highly recommended that you do not smoke after surgery as it will delay your healing.
A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.
The patient should not drive a vehicle, operate any machinery, care for small children or make important decisions for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.
Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
Do not wear lipstick, perfume, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office.
If you take routine oral medications, please check with Dr. Roccia, Dr. Marsh, Dr. Singh, Dr. Faigen, Dr. Licht or Dr. Laino prior to your surgical date for instructions.

After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery.

Bleeding

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

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack, or a towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as often as possible, for the first 36 hours.

Diet

If you are being sedated for the procedure, you should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the surgery. After the surgery, 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.

Discomfort

You should begin taking medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate tenderness, one to two Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every three to four hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets. Two to three tablets may be taken every three to four hours as needed for pain. For severe discomfort, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor otherwise.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics (tablets or rinse) as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. If Dr. Roccia, Dr. Marsh, Dr. Singh, Dr. Faigen, Dr. Licht or Dr. Laino feel that a medicated mouth rinse is indicated, begin rinsing as instructed the night of surgery. The day after surgery, the medicated rinse should be used two to three times daily. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt-water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least four to five times a day, as well, especially after meals. Be gentle initially when brushing the surgical areas. If healing abutments have been placed, brushing your teeth is not a problem.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering strenuous activity, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If symptoms persist, you should discontinue the activity. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Routinely, partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately following surgery. Every patient and case is different. Please follow the direction of Drs. Roccia, Marsh, Singh, Faigen, Licht or Laino for your specific case.

After Wisdom Tooth Removal

The removal of impacted teeth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary discomfort and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully.

Immediately Following Surgery

The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for a half hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded.
Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged.
Take the prescribed medications as soon as you begin to feel discomfort. This will usually coincide with the local anesthetic becoming diminished.
Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.
Place ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on Swelling for an explanation.

Bleeding

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first rinsing or wiping any old clots from your mouth, then placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels. To minimize further bleeding, do not become excited, sit upright, and avoid exercise. If bleeding does not subside, call for further instructions.

Swelling

The swelling that is normally expected is usually proportional to the surgery involved. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. The swelling will not become apparent until the day following surgery and will not reach its maximum until two to three days post-operatively. However, the swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Two plastic bags filled with ice, or ice packs should be applied to the sides of the face where surgery was performed. The ice packs should be wrapped in a thin towel and left on continuously while you are awake. After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect. If swelling or jaw stiffness has persisted for several days, there is no cause for alarm. This is a normal reaction to surgery. Thirty-six hours following surgery, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face is beneficial in reducing the size of the swelling.

Discomfort

For moderate tenderness, two to four tablets of ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) may be taken every four to six hours or Tylenol, one or two tablets, every three to four hours.

For severe discomfort, take the tablets prescribed as directed. The prescribed medicine will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If there is no relief from your symptoms, additional attention may be required. Please call the office should any questions or concerns arise.

Diet

Drink cold clear liquids after IV sedation. Do not use straws when drinking from a glass. The sucking motion can cause more bleeding by dislodging the blood clot. You may eat anything soft by chewing away from the surgical site(s). High calorie, high protein intake is very important. Try to maintain a normal diet. Although your food intake may be limited for the first few days, you should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. In order to prevent dehydration at least five to six glasses of liquid should be taken daily. Try not to miss a single meal. You will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort, and heal faster if you continue to eat.

CAUTION: If you suddenly sit up or stand from a lying position, you may become dizzy. If you are lying down following surgery, make sure you sit for one minute before standing.

Keep the Mouth Clean

No rinsing of any kind should be performed until the day following surgery. You can brush your teeth the night of surgery but rinse gently. The day after surgery you should begin rinsing at least five to six times a day with a cup of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt especially after eating.

Discoloration

In some cases, discoloration of the skin follows swelling. The development of black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration is due to blood spreading beneath the tissues. This is a normal postoperative occurrence, which may occur two to three days post-operatively. Moist heat applied to the area may speed up the removal of the discoloration.

Antibiotics

If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the tablets or liquid as directed until gone. Antibiotics may be given to help prevent infection. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or other unfavorable reaction. Call the office if you have any questions.

Nausea & Vomiting

In the event of nausea and/or vomiting following surgery, do not take anything by mouth for at least an hour including the prescribed medicine. You should then sip on clear liquids such as water, tea, Gatorade or ginger ale. You should sip slowly over a 15-minute period. When the nausea subsides, you can begin taking solid foods and the prescribed medicine.

Please do not hesitate to call the office with questions or concerns. Dr. Roccia, Dr. Marsh, Dr. Singh, Dr. Faigen, Dr. Licht or Dr. Laino are on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to serve the needs of our patients.

Other Complications

If numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue occurs there is no cause for alarm. As stated before surgery, this is usually temporary in nature. You should be aware that if your lip or tongue is numb, you could bite it and not feel the sensation. So be careful.
A slight elevation of temperature immediately following surgery is not uncommon. If the temperature persists, notify the office.
You should be careful going from the lying down position to standing. You were not able to eat or drink prior to surgery. It was also difficult to take fluids. Taking pain medications can make you dizzy. You could get light headed when you suddenly stand up. Before standing up, you should sit for one minute and then get up.
Occasionally, patients may feel hard projections in the mouth with their tongue. They are not roots; they are the bony walls, which supported the tooth. These projections usually smooth out spontaneously. As part of the normal post operative appointment, Drs. Roccia, Marsh, Singh, Faigen, Licht or Laino will evaluate any such projections.
If the corners of your mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment such as Vaseline.
Sore throats and pain when swallowing are not uncommon. The muscles get swollen. The normal act of swallowing can then become painful. This should subside in several days.
Stiffness (trismus) of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days following surgery. This is a normal post-operative event that will resolve in time.

Finally

Your case is individual. No two mouths are alike. Do not accept well-intended advice from friends. Discuss your problem with the persons best able to effectively help you: Drs. Roccia, Marsh, Singh, Faigen, Licht or Laino or your family dentist.

Sutures are placed in the area of surgery to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing. Sometimes they become dislodged. This is no cause for alarm. Just remove the suture from your mouth and discard it. The sutures will dissolve on their own in approximately one week after surgery. If minor oozing ensues after a stitch has fallen out, bite on gauze continuously for one hour. Please call if excessive bleeding persists.

The pain and swelling should subside more and more each day following surgery. If your post-operative pain or swelling worsens or unusual symptoms occur, call the office for instructions.

There will be a bony defect where the tooth was removed. The void will gradually fill in with new tissue over the next few weeks. In the meantime, the area should be kept clean especially after meals with salt-water rinses or a toothbrush.

Brushing your teeth is okay just be gentle at the surgical sites.

A dry socket is when the blood clot gets dislodged prematurely from the tooth socket. Symptoms of pain at the surgical site and even pain to the ear may occur two to three days following surgery. Call the office if this occurs.

If you are involved in regular exercise, be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising.

After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

Do not disturb the wound. If surgical packing was placed, leave it alone. The pack helps to keep the tooth exposed. If it gets dislodged or falls out, do not get alarmed.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding which results in your mouth filling rapidly with blood can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice cubes on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously as much as possible for the first 36 hours.

Diet

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.

Discomfort

You should begin taking medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate relief, one or two Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken. Tylenol may be taken every three to four hours. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: Two to three tablets may be taken every three to four hours as needed. For severe discomfort, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed.

Oral Hygiene

Mouth cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth as best you can. Rinse with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) six times a day. Continue this procedure until healing is complete.

REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.

Activity

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. Be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising.

After Socket Preservation Bone Grafting

The following information applies when grafting material has been placed into extraction sites to help preserve your jawbone in preparation for future implant replacement of the extracted tooth.

Your bone graft is made up of many particles. Dr. Roccia, Dr. Marsh, Dr. Singh, Dr. Faigen, Dr. Licht or Dr. Laino may or may not have placed a resorbable plug in order to help maintain the graft. You may find some small granules in your mouth for the first several days. Do not be alarmed by these. It’s normal to have some of them come out of the graft site and into your mouth. There are some things you could do to minimize the amount of particles that become dislodged:

Do not disturb or touch the wound.
Avoid rinsing or spitting for 2 days to allow blood clot and graft material stabilization.
Do not apply pressure with your tongue or fingers to the grafted area, as the material is movable during the initial healing.
Do not lift or pull on the lip to look at the sutures. This can actually cause damage to the wound site and tear the sutures.
Do not smoke.

If a mouth rinse has been prescribed, gentle rinsing two to three times a day should begin on the second day following surgery. If a partial denture or a flipper was placed in your mouth, you may have to see your restorative dentist to have it adjusted and learn how to remove and replace it appropriately.

It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office. Please try to call during office hours; however a 24-hour answering service is available for after hours contact with a doctor.

After Sinus Lift

The following information applies when upper jaw bone height or width have been lost. The graft is placed to help restore your jawbone in preparation for possible implant replacement of a single tooth or multiple missing teeth. This procedure is commonly done in the posterior upper jaw.

You have had a Sinus Lift Augmentation procedure in your upper jaw. This procedure regains lost bone height in the area of your first and second molar and occasionally second premolar. It is an important procedure as it allows implant placement in an area that could not be implanted otherwise because of insufficient bone height due to an enlarged sinus.

The bone that has been grafted is most commonly a combination freeze-dried bone, artificial synthetic bone and your own bone. Dr. Roccia, Dr. Marsh, Dr. Singh, Dr. Faigen, Dr. Licht or Dr. Laino would be happy to discuss the specifics of your case at the time of consultation. Specific oral and written postoperative instructions will also be provided.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. BLOW YOUR NOSE FOR THE NEXT FOUR (4) WEEKS. This may be longer if indicated. You may sniff all you like but NO BLOWING.

Do not blow your nose or sneeze holding your nose. Sneeze with your mouth open. Do not drink with straws and do not spit. Scuba diving and flying in pressurized aircraft may also increase sinus pressure and should be avoided. Decongestants will help reduce pressure in the sinuses and will be prescribed by Drs. Roccia, Marsh, Singh, Faigen, Licht or Laino if indicated. You may also be given a prescription for antibiotics. Please take these as directed. Anything that causes pressure in your nasal cavity must be avoided. Avoid bearing downas when lifting heavy objects, blowing up balloons, playing musical instruments that require a blowing action or any other activity that increases nasal or oral pressure. Smoking must be stopped. If necessary Drs. Roccia, Marsh, Singh, Faigen, Licht or Laino can direct your care towards nicotine replacement, medication or smoking cessation programs.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Do not rinse or spit on the day of your surgery. This tends to disturb the blood clot, open the wound and can prolong bleeding and slow healing. You should not have a significant amount of blood in your mouth. Saliva can be swallowed, even if slightly blood tinged.

Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential to reduce the risk of infection. Start salt water rinses the day following your procedure. Use one-half teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as often as you like, but at least four to five times daily and always after eating for the next five days.

Do not brush the teeth in the area of surgery for 48 hours. When brushing, be very gentle. When expectorating, also be gentle.

Drs. Roccia, Marsh, Singh, Faigen, Licht or Laino may prescribe an antibiotic rinse (Chlorhexadine, Periogard, Peridex) for certain procedures. This rinse should be used two to three times a day after routine mouth care. Do not eat, drink or rinse your mouth after using the medicated rinse.

Smoking

Do not smoke for at least two weeks after surgery, if at all. As discussed at your consultation, smoking dramatically increases the risk of bone graft and sinus augmentation failure. Drs. Roccia, Marsh, Singh, Faigen, Licht or Laino can direct you towards nicotine replacement therapy or smoking cessation programs.

Wearing your Prosthesis or Night guards

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery unless specifically instructed otherwise. Please contact the office if there is any question. If you have a temporary flipper to wear do not place it until the numbness in the area is gone. When it is placed it should not touch the gums in the area of the surgery. If it does, this can cause ulceration of the wound edges and breakdown of the suture margins. This can lead to loss of the graft. If you have questions about the fit of your flipper, partial or complete denture, do not wear it until your general dentist or our office can see you.

Post-Operative Problems or Complications

As with any procedure, unexpected post-operative healing can occur. Please notify the office immediately should any of the following occur following graft placement.

If you notice the unexpected flow of air or liquids between your mouth and nose.
If you are aware of several small particles of graft material being discharged from your nose.
If you experience sinus or nasal congestion on the side your surgery was performed.
If there is an increase in swelling in your mouth, cheek or under your eye after 3 days.

t is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office. Drs. Roccia, Marsh, Singh, Faigen, Licht or Laino are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to better care for our patients.

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, its important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Thats 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 slow 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.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some discomfort and experience mild swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

Use the prescribed medication as directed. Call the office if the medication doesnt seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. 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.

It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for two to three days, or a reaction to the medication, call the office immediately at North Hills Phone Number (412) 367-3222.

After the Removal of Multiple Teeth

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, elevate the head, avoid hot liquids and strenuous activity. If bleeding persists, call our office immediately.

If a denture or partial denture was placed by Dr. Roccia, Dr. Marsh, Dr. Singh, Dr. Faigen, Dr. Licht or Dr. Laino at the time of surgery, do not remove the prosthesis for 24 hours unless the bleeding is severe. Expect some oozing around the side of the denture.

Do not smoke. Smoking causes increased bleeding and decreased wound healing. Avoid smoking of any kind for as long as possible following surgery. Drs. Roccia, Marsh, Singh, Faigen, Licht or Laino would be happy to direct you towards several smoking cessation options.

Use ice packs (externally) on the same side of the face as the operated area. Apply ice for the first 36 hours only. Apply ice continuously while you are awake.

For mild discomfort, over the counter medications such as Tylenol ; two tablets every three to four hours. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 200mg can be taken two to three tablets every four to six hours.

For severe discomfort, use the prescription given to you. If the pain does not begin to subside in a few days, or increases after two days, please call the office. If an antibiotic has been prescribed, finish your prescription.

Drink plenty of fluids. If many teeth have been extracted, the blood lost at this time needs to be replaced. Drink at least six glasses of liquid the first day.

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.

Restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods that are comfortable for you to eat. As the wounds heal, you will be able to advance your diet.

The removal of many teeth at one time is quite different than the extraction of one or two teeth. Because the bone must be shaped and smoothed prior to the insertion of a denture, the following conditions may occur (all of which are considered normal):

The area operated on will swell, reaching a maximum in two to three days. If teeth were extracted on the top jaw (maxilla), swelling and discoloration around the eye may occur. The application of a moist warm towel will help eliminate the discoloration. The towel should be applied continuously for as long as tolerable beginning 36 hours after surgery (remember ice packs are used for the first 36 hours only).
A sore throat may develop. The muscles of the throat are near the extraction sites. Swelling into the throat muscles can cause pain. This is normal and should subside in two to three days.
If the corners of the mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment like Vaseline. There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24-48 hours. If temperature continues, notify the office.

If immediate dentures have been inserted, sore spots may develop. In most cases, your dentist will see you within 24-48 hours after surgery and 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.

Orthognathic Surgery

Post-Operative Instructions: Orthognathic Surgery

Go to your nearest emergency room if you are having trouble breathing!
Notify our office if you have increasing drainage from your incision or recurring fever (101.5 F) for more than 12 hours.
Facial swelling will increase for the first 48-72 hours. Apply ice packs (15 minutes on; 15 minutes off) and keep your head elevated (extra pillow or recliner). Most of the swelling will resolve within the first few weeks; however, healing will continue for 4-6 months.
Bruising may occur after a few days. In some cases, the bruising may extend onto your upper chest.
No Smoking.
Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Brush your teeth gently with a child size soft bristle brush. You may use toothpaste as well.
You may use mouth rinse.
If your teeth are rubber banded together, please try to limit your jaw motion. The rubber bands may be cut with scissors in case of a true breathing emergency (notify the doctor afterward).
The antibiotic should be taken as directed for 5 days. The first dose may be taken when you arrive at home.
The pain medication can be taken every six hours as needed.
While the teeth are rubber banded, meals may include liquids such as juice, broth, milk products (including soy & rice), and liquid supplements (instant breakfast, Boost, Ensure). No chewing. Your doctor will advise you when it is safe to begin chewing. Most large pharmacies carry a variety of supplements in different flavors. It is generally easier to sip directly from a cup, but you may use a straw if you like. You should try to have 4-6 “meals” a day to be sure that you are receiving ample nutrition and hydration.
Do not lie in bed all day. This can lead to pneumonia and blood clots. Light activity is acceptable, even good. Try to be out of bed during the daytime.
Please notify your doctor if you feel that your bite has shifted.

In addition to the instructions above, for UPPER JAW SURGERY patients:

Post Surgical Aftercare

We understand that the first week after surgery can be difficult. Although the swelling peaks at 2-3 days after surgery, it does not really start to come down until after the first week. At 2 weeks after surgery, usually 70% of the swelling has resolved. For the final swelling and numbness to resolve, it will take weeks to months after surgery. It is common to be more swollen or numb on one side vs. the other.
One week after surgery, you will follow up with one of our surgeons. If you need to be seen sooner it will not be a problem. During your follow up, we will change out your rubber bands and answer any questions you may have. One week after your surgery the swelling should be starting to come down and at this point, you should still be on a liquid diet.
Two weeks after your surgery, you will begin to take off and put on the rubber bands yourself. We will show you where we want the rubber bands to go. The doctor may change the pattern of your rubber bands over the next 8 weeks.

You will take the rubber bands off for three reasons:

Eating — Your diet can advance to very soft foods such as mashed potatoes and very soft pastas. No chewing. You can have anything you want, but no chewing.
Mouth Opening Exercises — With the rubber bands off you will now begin to stretch the mouth open. You will need to do this 6 times a day for a period of 5-10 minutes. We do not want you to hurt yourself. Stretch the jaw open so you can regain your normal mouth opening.
Brushing Teeth — After eating and doing your mouth opening exercises, you should thoroughly brush and clean your teeth. If you have a splint on the upper jaw, do the best you can. We understand that this can be difficult.

3-4 weeks — If you have a splint in the upper jaw it will usually be removed 3-4 weeks after surgery. After the splint is removed, you will need to see your orthodontist within a couple of days to get a continuous arch wire placed in the upper brackets.
6 weeks — You can blow your nose 6 weeks after surgery. We will assess your bite and change the elastic pattern if needed.
8 weeks — You may begin chewing food at 8 weeks after surgery. Start with softer foods and over the next 4 weeks you can transition to a normal diet. If you still have rubber bands, you will likely only need to wear them at nighttime now.
12 weeks — You will need to be seen 12 weeks after surgery and then every 3 months until your braces are off. After your braces come off, you will need to come in the office for final records.

Trust your care to a Specialist

Call (412) 367-3222 or request an appointment online.