After Extraction of Multiple Teeth
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE IMMEDIATE DENTURES
1. DO NOT SMOKE FOR 5 DAYS AFTER SURGERY. IF YOU INSIST ON SMOKING, THE FOLLOWING MAY HAPPEN: (because the chemicals and gases in tobacco smoke contains ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, lead, nicotine, pesticides, radioactive polonium, and many other deadly gases).
- You will greatly increase your pain and prolong healing time.
- You will have a 4 times greater chance of developing a ‘dry-socket’.
- You will significantly increase your chance of infection.
2. If several teeth have been extracted, swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal, and if the surgery was difficult, all these symptoms will be greater. Hold ice against your face for 45 minutes each hour and take your pain medication to help reduce discomfort.
3. The dentures will act as a bandage and help to limit bleeding; however, some bleeding for the first 24 to 48 hours is normal. Even a few drops of blood will redden saliva.
4. You must leave the dentures in your mouth for 24 hours after surgery. Pain experienced because of the extraction of teeth will not be decreased by removing the dentures. Swelling may happen and you may not be able to get the dentures back in your mouth. DR. BURNHAM WILL HELP YOU REMOVE YOUR DENTURES THE DAY AFTER SURGERY. DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE THEM THE FIRST TIME YOURSELF.
5. After this first post-surgical appointment, the dentures should be removed for cleaning after each meal and at bedtime (at least 4 times a day, regardless of whether you eat). Always hold the dentures over a sink partly filled with water. Scrub the dentures inside and out gently with the denture brush supplies and the denture cleaner. Then place the dentures in a container of cold water with ice cubes, while you clean your mouth. Clean your mouth by brushing your tongue with a tooth brush and tooth paste. Then apply tooth paste to your finger and gently massage your gums and stitches to remove old blood and food debris. Rinse the tooth paste away with warm, MILD salt solution (1/8 teaspoon salt to one cup of water). KEEPING YOUR MOUTH CLEAN WILL SPEED HEALING AND LESSEN THE CHANCE OF INFECTION.
6. Your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth come together) usually will be imperfect when you first get your dentures. Major imperfections will be corrected at the time of insertion. The final refinement cannot be completed until swelling has disappeared (one to two weeks).
7. Your diet for the first 24 to 48 hours should be liquid. Gradually increase the substance of your diet as healing progresses and you can tolerate firmer foods.
8. One to two weeks after surgery, you should begin removing the dentures at night. Removing the dentures will allow the tissue to rest from the pressure of the denture, and help keep oral tissue healthy and preserve the bone under the tissue for a longer period of time.
9. As initial adjustments are made and healing progresses, you will notice an improvement in comfort and function of your denture. However, the remaining tissue and underlying bone will continue to recontour rapidly for 6 to 9 months, and the denture will gradually become looser. If a treatment reline was placed at the time of surgery, this is only a temporary, and may need to be replaced periodically until the dentures are relined with a hard plastic reline by the dentist who originally made them.
10. Dr. Burnham and his staff have done everything possible to provide you with the best in anesthetic and surgical care. However, the ultimate success of the operation now depends on correct post-surgical management. You have been given very specific verbal and written instructions for proper home care. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully. Only in this way will you avoid the complications, which lead to unnecessary discomfort and delayed healing. YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR HEALING BY FOLLOWING OUR INSTRUCTIONS.
11. If any questions arise, or problems develop, call the office any time, day or night, so your questions can be answered. If you are unable to reach someone after normal office hours, please call Dr. Burnham at 303-809-1550.