PATIENT INFORMATION

DAY OF SURGERY:

Any pre-operative instructions should be carefully followed prior to your treatment appointment. If you are having sedation or general anaesthesia, please have nothing to eat or drink (including water) for 8 hours prior to your scheduled time. If your medical condition requires you take morning medications you may do so with a small sip of water. You will require someone to bring you to the appointment and take you home afterwards. When you arrive for your appointment a staff member will discuss your post- operative care with yourself and your driver.

It is important to remember that while we try very hard to stay on schedule, various circumstances may arise which can lengthen the time allocated for your or another patient's procedure. Often we are requested to treat emergency patients which can cause delays to our schedule. We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience should this occur.

POST OPERATIVE COURSE:

(You may also refer to the heading under 'post-operative instructions' for specific surgeries)

Care of your mouth following oral surgery:

Immediately following the procedure keep a steady pressure on the bleeding area by biting firmly on a pad of damp gauze. Change gauze every 30-60 minutes but DO NOT sleep with gauze in your mouth.
Keep your head elevated, minimize activity and avoid spitting. Do not touch or brush the wound in the first 24 hours. Brushing the remainder of the mouth is suggested.
Please take medications as prescribed. Women note: some antibiotics interfere with the effectiveness of the birth control pill. Taking your pain medication with food helps to prevent nausea.
Use ice packs (or bags of frozen peas) on the surgical area (to the outside of face) for the first 48 - 72 hours as much as tolerated. After the third day, warm packs applied to the cheeks may help to diminish swelling and stiffness.
Soft, cool food and liquids will be easier to eat. Return to a normal diet as tolerated unless otherwise directed. Avoid hot fluids and the use of a drinking straw for one week.
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a full glass of warm water) on the evening of surgery and thereafter 3 times per day until healed. You may brush your teeth the evening of surgery, however avoid the wound. Start use of the syringe 4 days after surgery to irrigate lower tooth extraction sites with warm salt water. Use the syringe 3 times per day after meals until unable to do so.
If you have had sedation or general anaesthetic DO NOT drive for the remainder of the day. Also do not drive or operative machinery if you are taking Tylenol #3 which can cause drowsiness.

The removal of impacted wisdom teeth and surgical extraction of these teeth is quite different from the extraction of erupted teeth. The following conditions may occur, all of which are considering normal:

Stiffness of the muscles may cause some difficulty with mouth opening
You may have a slight earache or sore throat
You may experience aching in other teeth temporarily. This is referred pain and should not last
There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 - 48 hours. If this persists, advise the office.

SAFETY

DO NOT DRIVE for the remainder of the day if you have had IV sedation or general anaesthetic. You are legally impaired.
DO NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE MACHINERY if taking Tylenol #3 as this medication can cause drowsiness.

COMPLICATIONS IN HEALING

Infection - Most frequently, infections can be directly related to lack of adequate oral hygiene.
Dry Sockets - Infrequently there can be an interruption in the healing process whereby a breakdown of the blood clot occurs in the wound. It is very sore, but is easily treated requiring follow up visits.

INJURY TO ADJACENT STRUCTURES

Nerve Injury - Roots of lower teeth may be very close to the nerve supplying sensation to your lower lip, chin, gums, teeth or tongue. Surgery or injection of local freezing into the area can result in temporary or permanent altered sensation/numbness.
Sinus Involvement - As some roots of the upper teeth are directly adjacent to, or within the sinus cavity, removal can result in a sinus opening which could require subsequent minor surgical treatment.
Adjacent Teeth and Restoratives - On rare occasion, injury to teeth and fillings are unavoidable, therefore in unique circumstances, additional costs and follow up visits to your dentist may be necessary.

ANAESTHETIC RISKS

Although the anaesthetic is provided in the utmost safe manner and environment, very rarely can complications arise from the anaesthetic itself. Most rare occurrences are as a result of pre-existing health ailments and can safely be managed. In healthy individuals, adverse events are very unlikely. The type of anaesthesia will be discussed in consultation.

YOUR CARE AND SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY

EMERGENCIES:

If you are a patient of record and need to speak with Dr. Sowden during non business hours for urgent care, please call our office number 604 924-8088. The answering service will page Dr. Sowden or the Oral Surgeon on call and have them contact you.