Post - Operative Instructions
1. Oral Hygiene:
- Follow your recommendations for oral hygiene.
- Brush your teeth gently but thoroughly using a soft-bristle toothbrush.
- Floss carefully to clean between your teeth and along the gumline, taking care not to disturb any surgical sites.
2. Rinsing:
- If prescribed, use a prescribed antimicrobial or saltwater rinse as directed by Dr. Christos Constantinides.
- Avoid vigorous rinsing or swishing for the first 24 hours.
3. Pain Management:
- Take prescribed pain medications as directed or over-the-counter pain relievers if advised.
- Don’t exceed recommended dosages, and avoid alcohol while taking pain medication.
4. Swelling and Ice:
- Apply an ice pack to your face in the first 24 hours to help reduce swelling (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off).
- Keep your head elevated when lying down to minimize swelling.
5. Diet:
- Follow any dietary restrictions, such as avoiding hot, spicy, or hard foods.
- Stick to a soft diet if necessary, and gradually transition back to your regular diet as directed.
6. Avoiding Certain Habits:
- Avoid smoking, as it can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
- If you’ve had gum grafting or other procedures, avoid activities that could put pressure on the surgical area (e.g., vigorous chewing, playing musical instruments).
7. Prescribed Medications:
- Take any prescribed antibiotics as directed by Dr. Christos Constantinides to prevent infection.
- Complete the full course of antibiotics even if you start feeling better.
8. Follow-Up Appointments:
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments.
- They will monitor your healing progress and remove sutures if needed.
9. Oral Discomfort:
- Some discomfort, bleeding, and slight swelling are normal after periodontal procedures.
- If you experience excessive bleeding or persistent pain, contact Dr. Christos Constantinides.
10. Avoiding Trauma to the Area:
- Be cautious when eating, and avoid biting on the surgical site.
- Don’t use toothpicks or place foreign objects near the surgical area.
11. Cleaning Instruments:
- If you wear dentures or other removable appliances, follow your periodontist’s instructions for cleaning and wearing them.
12. Smoking:
Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks following your surgical procedure. It will significantly slow healing and can compromise results.
13. Alchocol:
Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.
14. Reporting Problems:
- Contact Dr. Christos Constantinides immediately if you notice signs of infection (e.g., increased redness, swelling, pus), fever, or any other unusual symptoms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We will be as gentle as possible. The periodontal exam can be completed with little or no discomfort.
We will need current periodontal x-rays in order to see disease not otherwise visible. If your referring dentist has taken x-rays, you may request that they be forwarded to us.
Since all patients are different, your periodontist must complete your examination before establishing your treatment planning and the fee for care. The fee for periodontal treatment can vary considerably depending on the type of problems and the complexity and length of treatment. An approximate fee can usually be determined at the initial visit; but on occasion, some initial treatment or further diagnostics must be completed before the final treatment planning can be established. Our philosophy of practice is to treat as conservatively as possible to attain treatment goals.
Dental insurance policies often cover periodontal treatment. Please bring all medical and dental benefit information and cards to your examination appointment.
Not everyone needs periodontal surgery. If treated early, gum disease can be controlled without surgery. We will make recommendations based on your individual situation. Our philosophy of practice is to treat as conservatively as possible to attain treatment goals.
The recent advances in periodontal treatment allow us to successfully treat most teeth.
Our office and your dentist will work closely together. If crowns and fillings are needed your dentist will provide them. Regular visits to your dentist are an important part of periodontal maintenance.
Periodontal disease is a progressive, painless infection. Delay can cause you further bone loss and more expense. If your teeth are lost, dentures are never as effective as your own natural teeth.
After tooth extraction, if the walls of the socket are very thick, they will usually fill naturally with bone in two to three months. However, when the walls of your socket are very thin (such as in your upper and lower front teeth), this type of healing will not be as predictable. In these situations, a bone graft is often placed at the time of tooth extraction to help your body fill in the empty socket with bone. This step will maintain the width and volume of bone you will need for implant placement several months later.
