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Surgical Instructions
Browse our pre-operative instructions, oral surgery home care and recovery tips, and other resources here.

Oral Surgery Care Instructions

At Gonzalez, Carr & Maniscalco, the care and comfort of our patients is our top priority. Before your procedure, your surgeon will provide detailed pre-operative instructions and answer any questions you may have. You can also download these easy and convenient home care instruction sheets for your reference anytime. If you have additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 205-991-9787.

Oral Surgery Instructions | Oral Surgeons in Birmingham - instructions1

Pre-Anesthesia Instructions

For any procedure involving anesthesia, it’s critical to follow these pre-operative instructions. Your doctor will discuss any additional instructions with you as necessary.

  • Do not eat or drink anything 6 hours before surgery (including water). If you take blood pressure medication, you may take it with a sip of water on the day of surgery.
  • A responsible adult must accompany you to your appointment and drive you home. They must remain in the office for the entire duration of your procedure.
  • A responsible adult will also need to stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.
  • If you currently have or have had a cold or upper respiratory infection like bronchitis in the past month, please call our office to inform us in advance.
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Oral Surgery Instructions | Oral Surgeons in Birmingham - ImplantsGrafting1
Oral Surgery Instructions | Oral Surgeons in Birmingham - ImplantsGrafting2
Oral Surgery Instructions | Oral Surgeons in Birmingham - ImplantsGrafting3
Oral Surgery Instructions | Oral Surgeons in Birmingham - ImplantsGrafting4

Implants & Advanced Bone Grafting

Follow these instructions after having dental implants placed or after any bone grafting procedure.

  • If the patient has had sedation, a responsible adult must accompany them for 24 hours after surgery.
  • It is very important to take your antibiotics as prescribed until they are gone. Please note that antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives.
  • Diet - Begin with cold liquids (water or gatorade preferred). Then, try soft foods that don't require much chewing and advance to a more normal diet as comfort allows. Do not bite or chew with your implant or bone graft area.
  • Take pain medicine with a little food within an hour after surgery. Do not drive or work while taking pain medication. It can be beneficial to take nausea medicine 30 minutes prior to the pain medicine.
    *Taking Ibuprofen every 6 hours can also greatly reduce pain and swelling.
  • Do not rinse mouth during the first day. Starting the day after surgery, rinse mouth with warm salty water, 5 times a day for 7 days. Do not use listerine, peroxide, or other mouth rinses.
Oral Surgery Instructions | Oral Surgeons in Birmingham - GCM-Instructions2

Post-Extraction

Follow these instructions after wisdom tooth removal or any other tooth extraction procedure.

  • If the patient has had sedation, a responsible adult must accompany them for 24 hours after surgery.
  • Bite on gauze for 1 hour after surgery. After that time, gauze may be removed. Some oozing may continue.
  • Diet - Begin with cold liquids (water or gatorade preferred). Then, try soft foods that don't require much chewing and advance to a more normal diet as comfort allows.
  • Apply ice packs to face over the surgical area for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, for the 1st day after surgery. Swelling usually gets worse for 3-4 days before improving.
  • Take pain medicine with a little food within an hour after surgery. Do not drive or work while taking pain medication. It can be beneficial to take nausea medicine 30 minutes prior to the pain medicine.
    *Taking Ibuprofen every 6 hours can also greatly reduce pain and swelling.
  • Do not rinse mouth during the first day. Starting the day after surgery, rinse mouth with warm salty water, 5 times a day for 7 days. Do not use listerine, peroxide, or other mouth rinses.
  • If you have been prescribed antibiotics, be aware that they may decrease the effectiveness of contraceptives.
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Post-Extraction/Infection

If you have had an infected tooth or teeth removed, follow these instructions for post-operative care.

  • If the patient has had sedation, a responsible adult must accompany them for 24 hours after surgery.
  • Bite on gauze for 1 hour after surgery. After that time, gauze may be removed. Some oozing may continue.
  • Start your antibiotics immediately. It is very important to take them as prescribed until they are gone. Antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives.
  • Diet - Begin with cold liquids (water or gatorade preferred). Then, try soft foods that don't require much chewing and advance to a more normal diet as comfort allows.
  • Apply warm compresses over the affected area at least 4 times a day for 20 minutes.
  • Take pain medicine with a little food within an hour after surgery. Do not drive or work while taking pain medication. It can be beneficial to take nausea medicine 30 minutes prior to the pain medicine.
    *Taking Ibuprofen every 6 hours can also greatly reduce pain and swelling.
  • Do not rinse mouth during the first day. Starting the day after surgery, rinse mouth with warm salty water, 5 times a day for 7 days. Do not use listerine, peroxide, or other mouth rinses unless prescribed.
Oral Surgery Instructions | Oral Surgeons in Birmingham - GCM-Instructions4

Sinus Surgery & Sinus Communication

Follow these instructions after any surgical procedure involving your sinuses, including sinus lifts or sinus augmentations.

  • Do not blow your nose. This is extremely important. Do not bend over, lift heavy objects, smoke, or try to hold in a sneeze. Don't do anything that pressurizes your mouth/sinus area. You may also experience sinus congestion which may last from days to weeks.
  • If the patient has had sedation, a responsible adult must accompany them for 24 hours after surgery.
  • If gauze was placed, you may remove it 1 hour after surgery. Some oozing may continue.
  • Diet - Begin with cold liquids (water or gatorade preferred). Then, try soft foods that don't require much chewing and advance to a more normal diet as comfort allows. Do not chew food in the area of your surgery.
  • Take pain medicine with a little food within an hour after surgery. Do not drive or work while taking pain medication. It can be beneficial to take nausea medicine 30 minutes prior to the pain medicine.
    *Taking Ibuprofen every 6 hours can also greatly reduce pain and swelling.
  • It is very important to take your antibiotics as prescribed until they are gone. Please note that antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives.
  • Do not rinse mouth during the first day. Starting the day after surgery, rinse mouth with warm salty water, 5 times a day for 7 days. Do not use listerine, peroxide, or other mouth rinses.

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Phone: (205) 991-9787

Our friendly & helpful staff is standing by to answer any questions you may have.

Gonzalez, Carr & Maniscalco is an independent, family-owned oral surgery and implant center proudly serving the Birmingham metro area since 1990. We combine our years of wisdom with the latest and greatest technology to provide you with the best possible care experience.

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Office Location
101 Heatherbrooke Park Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone Number
(205) 991-9787
Fax Number
(205) 991-2687
Our Hours
Monday - Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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