Bone Grafting - Special Instructions
Before Surgery
Make sure you have read over our Patient Instructions for Surgery. This information will provide specific instructions for patients having a bone graft prior to implant placement.
We normally prescribe (five) medications to keep our bone graft patients comfortable.
- Antibiotic: usually amoxicillin or cleocin. You will start taking it 3 days before your procedure and continue after surgery until it is gone..
- Steroid: “Dexamethasone” to accelerate healing and reduce swelling. Take 3 tablets the day after surgery and 1 tablet the next morning. Your initial dose will be given IV
- Non-narcotic, anti-inflammatory pain reliever: “Motrin”, which will also help reduce swelling and reduce pain. You will take 1 pill 8 hours after surgery and then 3 times daily for 3 days. Your initial dose will be given in your IV. This is your “baseline” pain medication
- Narcotic pain reliever: “Acetaminophen with hydrocodone.” Although severe pain is unusual, you can take this, every 4 hours as needed after surgery, in addition to the Motrin. It can cause drowsiness, and is best taken before bedtime,
- Antiseptic rinse: Peridex “Chlorhexidine" which you can start using the day after surgery to keep the area clean during healing. Rinse morning and night avoiding food or drink for 1-hour. Do not rinse vigorously
After Surgery
For 3 days after your surgery, do NOT spit, smoke, rinse hard, drink through a straw, create a “sucking” action in your mouth, use a commercial mouthwash, drink carbonated soda, or use an oral irrigating device. Doing any of these can disrupt clotting, the healing process and open the incision.
For the next 8-10 days or until your sutures are removed:
- Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco.
- Do not take in liquids through a straw.
- Do not lift or pull on lip to look at sutures “stitches”.
- Do not lie on side of face over area of surgery.
- Do not press on cheek or the jaw over area of surgery for 1 month.
- Dr. Wolf usually places a protective white membrane under the gum. Sometimes it will become exposed during healing. This is not urgent; however, please call on the next business day for instructions.
Notify the office if:
- Your medications do not relieve your discomfort
- If you develop a fever above 99.5F
- If you have any unusual swelling, uncontrolled bleeding or discharge