Safety Measures

Post-Operative Instructions: Expose and Bond

Play Video

After Your Surgery

Post-Operative Instructions

The following instructions are important following an expose and bond procedure.

General:

  • After your surgery, do not disturb the surgical site or the packing that is placed inside your mouth. This packing is in place to keep the tooth exposed.
  • Do not spit for the first week following your surgery.
  • Do not be alarmed if this packing falls out or moves from its original position.
  • If a small gold chain was placed attached to the impacted tooth, it is essential that your orthodontist activates the chain as soon as possible or per their instructions following surgery.
  • If this chain becomes dislodged from the tooth, please contact our office immediately to have the chain replaced.

Bleeding:

  • A small amount of bleeding is common for the first few days.
  • If you experience excessive bleeding, place a gauze pad directly over the surgical sites and hold it in place with firm biting pressure for 30–45 minutes or until the bleeding can be controlled.
  • Replace the gauze pads every 30–45 minutes.
  • Bleeding may vary from person to person.
  • Gauze pads will always appear red. The way to assess bleeding is to directly look at the sites after the gauze pads have been removed.
  • If the bleeding does not slow down, please call our office.

Swelling Control:

  • Swelling can be normal after surgery.
  • Swelling can be reduced by applying an ice pack to the side of your face. Do this for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
  • Continue icing the face as much as possible for the first 24–36 hours. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
  • Please do not lay flat. Use 1–2 pillows to elevate the head to avoid or minimize swelling.
  • These measures may not eliminate swelling but they will help reduce its severity.

Diet–Day of Procedure:

  • Soft liquidy foods are strongly recommended on the day of the procedure. Pudding, JELL-O®, applesauce, yogurt, ice cream, and smoothies are excellent options for the day of the procedure.
  • Always cool down any hot foods or liquids during the first 24 hours following your procedure.

Diet–First Week:

  • You should eat only soft foods for the first week, such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, soft fish and steamed vegetables.
  • Do not use a straw.

Diet–Foods to Avoid:

  • Avoid hard, crunchy, or very chewy foods until the site is fully healed, you are pain-free, and until the tooth becomes visible.
  • Please consult your orthodontist at your follow-up visit.

Pain Control:

  • Discomfort can be normal after the procedure.
  • Pain medication may be prescribed. It is advised that you take pain medication on the first day.
  • If you are not allergic or intolerant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, you may start taking ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®).
  • If the ibuprofen alone doesn’t control your discomfort, take the prescribed narcotic in addition.
  • It is recommended that you alternate between the narcotic and ibuprofen. Do not take them at the same time.
  • Be certain to take your pain medication with food, as this will help prevent an upset stomach.
  • Remember: narcotic pain medication will impair your judgment and reflexes, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery.
  • Typically, minors will not be prescribed narcotics, as over-the-counter pain medications are effective for these procedures.

Hygiene:

  • Begin brushing your teeth on the day of surgery. It is important to brush all of your teeth, even if the teeth and gums are sensitive.
  • Avoid the surgical sites on the day of surgery. On the following day, gently brush over the surgical sites with almost no pressure.
  • You may remove some stitches. Brush around the packing if one has been placed.
  • It is important to keep surgical sites really clean to avoid infection or delayed healing.

Thank you for reviewing these post-operative instructions and following them carefully.

Questions?

We Are Here To Help

Please contact our office if you have any questions or issues with these instructions.

PDF Version

Download Instructions

Take the instructions on the go. Download in PDF format.

CALL NOW (630) 708-6637