Preoperative Instructions

If you are Having General Anesthesia

• You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for six (6) 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.
  
• 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 or operate any machinery 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, 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 our doctors prior to your surgical date for instructions.
  

Special considerations following removal of impacted teeth

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

• The surgical area will swell.
  
• Swelling peaks on the 2nd or 3rd post-operative day
  
• Trismus (stiffness) of the muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days.
  
• You may have a slight earache.
  
• A sore throat may develop.
  
• Your other teeth may ache temporarily. This is referred pain and is a temporary condition.
• If the corners of the mouth are stretched out they may dry and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with cream or ointment.
  
• There will be a space where the tooth was removed. After 24 hours this area should be rinsed following meals with warm salt water until it is healed. This cavity will gradually fill in with new tissue.
  
• There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If temperature continues, notify us.
  
• It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of an extraction.
  
• Numbness of lips and/or tongue on the affected side may be experienced for a variable period of time. (This was reviewed with you before your surgery).
  

Please take all medications as directed, if you have any questions please call.

Women please note: Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of your birth control pills. Please check with your pharmacist.