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Surgical Instructions
Clear guidance helps patients feel prepared, confident, and supported before and after an oral surgery procedure. At Implant & Oral Surgery of Columbus, Dr. Patel and our care team review specific instructions with every patient, based on your medical history, type of surgery, and anesthesia plan. If questions come up at any point, call our surgeon’s office. You will always receive straightforward guidance and a steady, reassuring plan for what comes next.
These Surgical Instructions are designed to make the day of surgery easier to navigate and to support the best possible healing process afterward.
Day of Surgery Instructions (For Patients Receiving Anesthesia or Sedation)
A simple plan helps support a smooth recovery and reduces stress in the surgical suite. These instructions apply to patients scheduled for oral surgery with sedation or anesthesia. If your procedure does not require anesthesia, our team will provide specific guidance during your consultation.
Before You Arrive
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery, including water, coffee, mints, or gum.
- If prescribed antibiotics or instructed medications, take them with a small sip of water only, unless directed otherwise.
- Confirm your appointment time and arrival time with the surgeon’s office.
- Notify our team if there has been any change in your health, including fever, cough, flu symptoms, or chest congestion.
What to Bring
- A responsible adult who can remain on site during surgery and drive you home.
- Any insurance company information that may be needed.
- A list of current medications, supplements, or recent changes to your medical history.
- Payment options may include credit cards, depending on your treatment plan.
What to Wear and Leave at Home
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing with short sleeves for anesthesia monitoring.
- Choose comfortable shoes or slippers.
- Remove contact lenses, oral or facial piercings, nail polish, and heavy makeup.
- Leave valuables at home.
Transportation and Recovery Planning
- Patients receiving anesthesia cannot drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day.
- Plan for an adult to stay with you at home following surgery.
- If your procedure is scheduled on a Monday or Friday, plan recovery time that fits your work, school, and transportation needs.
Before Anesthesia
Your safety and comfort are our top priorities. Please read these specific instructions carefully and contact our office if anything is unclear before the morning of surgery.
Food and Beverage Restrictions
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your appointment, including coffee, water, mints, or beverages of any kind. This includes clear liquids such as Gatorade. On the day of your surgery, having anything in your stomach increases the risk of complications during anesthesia care.
If you were given antibiotics to take before surgery, you may take them with a small sip of water (about 1 fluid ounce). If you take regular medications for blood pressure, heart disease, blood sugar, or other medical conditions, ask Dr. Patel for specific instructions on your medication schedule. If pre-operative diet instructions present a problem, such as for a diabetic patient, please call the office.
Arrival, Timing, and Preparation
Plan to arrive on time based on your arrival time and time of surgery. The day of surgery often involves coordinated steps with our surgical team, including vital signs, pre-op verification, and anesthesia monitoring. Being prompt supports a calm experience in an outpatient surgery setting.
What to Wear and What to Remove
Wear loose-fitting clothes with short sleeves, or a shirt with sleeves that easily pull up. Access to your upper arms is needed for monitoring during general anesthesia or sedation options.
Before your appointment, please remove:
- Contact lenses or lenses of any kind.
- Oral and facial jewelry, including piercings (non-dangling earrings are acceptable).
- Nail polish, false eyelashes, and heavy makeup.
- Dentures or removable appliances, if instructed by our care team.
- Hearing aids, if instructed during your pre-op review.
If you use a medical device or have a physical limitation that affects positioning, walking, or balance, tell us in advance. If you typically use crutches, we want to plan ahead for safe movement during discharge.
Responsible Adult and Transportation
If you are receiving a general anesthetic, you must arrive with a responsible adult who can drive you home. A family member or escort should be present before surgery begins and remain available during your visit. You cannot take a taxi home without an escort. An adult should stay with you at home for the rest of the day.
A minor patient must come with a parent or actual legal guardian, and that adult needs to remain in our facility during the procedure. If documentation applies, bring what you may need for verification (for example, guardianship paperwork or power of attorney).
Driving and safety
Patients may not drive or operate any machinery for the remainder of the day after anesthesia. Plan for rest, hydration, and support at home.
Health Changes Before Surgery
If there is any change in your health in the days before surgery, such as fever, flu, chest cold, persistent cough, or concerns related to pneumonia risk, notify our office immediately. If you have been told to coordinate with a primary care provider for clearance or a physical exam, complete that step as early as possible.
Medication and Supplement Reminders
Share a complete list of regular medications, counter medications, supplements, and weight loss medications with our team. Some medications and supplements can affect bleeding, anesthesia, or recovery. Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing products unless your healthcare provider has given you a specific plan.
Possible Surgical Risks and Common Findings
Every surgical procedure carries some risk, and risks vary based on the planned procedure and anatomy. Rare complications may include numbness or tingling, sinus involvement, inflammation, damage to nearby teeth or restorations, infection, persistent bleeding, delayed healing, drug reactions and side effects, or the need for a subsequent operation.
Common post-operative findings can include discomfort that may require pain medication, soft tissue swelling, muscle stiffness, and bruising.
After Implant Surgery
After placement of dental implants, protect the surgical site and allow the gum tissue to heal around the healing abutment. A metal healing abutment may protrude through the gingival (gum) tissue.
First Day Care
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the area on the day of surgery.
Smoking
Avoid smoking for at least 24 hours. Smoking increases bleeding, raises infection risk, delays wound healing, and can affect long-term implant success.
Bleeding
Some bleeding is expected after implant placement. If bleeding continues or becomes excessive, remove blood clots with a damp washcloth. Place a tight ball of gauze or a moist tea bag over the area and apply firm pressure by biting for 45 minutes. Repeat as needed until a stable blood clot forms.
Swelling
Swelling is common after an oral surgery procedure. Swelling often peaks around 48 hours and may last 5 to 7 days. Use an ice pack for 24 to 48 hours, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
Pain control
Discomfort is expected. For mild discomfort, follow label directions for Tylenol or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). For more significant pain, use the prescribed pain medication as directed. It helps to take pain medication before local anesthesia fully wears off.
Bruising
Bruising can occur and may extend into the neck area. Discoloration can last 7 to 14 days.
Diet Instructions and Fluids
A nutritionally balanced diet supports healing. If you had a single implant, choose soft foods that require minimal chewing for about 5 days. If multiple implants were placed for dentures, your diet may begin with full liquids and pureed foods, then advance as directed by Dr. Patel. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid using straws for 24 hours.
Oral Hygiene
You may brush and rinse beginning 24 hours after surgery. Use Periogard as directed, and consider warm salt water rinses after meals for 7 to 10 days to support a clean surgical site.
If you wear dentures, follow the guidance provided for when to resume use. Many patients need a denture adjustment 3 to 5 days after surgery.
Fever
A slight temperature elevation for 24 to 48 hours can occur. If fever persists above 101.5°F, call our office.
If you received anesthesia or sedation, do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours.
After Wisdom Tooth Surgery
Wisdom teeth removal is a common oral surgery procedure for third molars, and careful aftercare supports comfort and lowers the risk of dry socket or infection.
Immediately Following Surgery
Keep the gauze pad in place for 30 minutes and bite firmly. Once home, remove and discard it. Avoid vigorous rinsing or touching the surgical site, since that can dislodge the blood clot.
Take prescribed pain medication before discomfort increases, usually as numbness fades. Rest on the day of surgery, and resume normal activities when your comfort level allows.
Bleeding
Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in saliva is common. If bleeding is heavier, gently wipe old clots away, place moist gauze over the area, and bite for 30 minutes. A moistened tea bag can help support clot formation. Sit upright and limit activity. If bleeding does not improve, call our office.
Swelling
Swelling often appears 12 to 24 hours after surgery and may peak around day 3. Use ice packs as directed while awake. After 36 hours, moist heat can help reduce swelling and jaw stiffness.
Pain
For moderate pain, Tylenol or ibuprofen may help. For severe pain, follow the prescription instructions provided. Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking pain medication. Pain should improve each day. If severe pain continues, call our surgeon’s office.
Diet
Start with sips of liquids after general anesthesia or IV sedation. Drink from a glass, not a straw. Eat soft foods, chewing away from the extraction site. High calorie and high protein options help support healing, along with plenty of fluids.
Oral Hygiene
Do not rinse on the first day. Beginning the day after surgery, rinse 5 to 6 times daily with warm salt water, especially after meals. If prescribed, use your mouth rinse twice daily for one week starting 24 hours after surgery. Brush gently the day after surgery.
Antibiotics
If antibiotics were prescribed, take them as directed. If you develop a rash or hives, discontinue and contact our office.
Nausea
Nausea can occur after anesthesia or from swallowing a small amount of blood. Pause all oral intake for one hour, then sip a carbonated beverage such as ginger ale slowly. If nausea continues, contact our office.
Other Common Findings
Bruising and discoloration can occur 2 to 3 days after surgery. Jaw stiffness can make opening difficult for a few days. Keep lips moisturized if corners feel dry or cracked.
A “hole” where the tooth was removed will gradually fill in over the next month. Keep the area clean with salt water rinses and, if provided, an irrigation syringe as directed.
Dry socket can develop if the blood clot is lost early. Pain can appear 2 to 3 days after surgery and may radiate toward the ear. Call our office if this occurs.
After Exposure of Impacted Tooth
If surgical packing was placed, leave it in place. Packing helps keep the tooth exposed. If it falls out, remove it and discard it.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in saliva is normal for 24 hours. If bleeding is heavy, bite on a gauze pad placed directly over the area for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, call our office.
Swelling
Use an ice pack on and off as directed for the first 36 hours.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot foods and hot liquids on the day of surgery. Choose soft foods and return to a normal diet as directed.
Pain
Take pain medication as numbness fades. Tylenol or ibuprofen may be used as directed. For severe pain, take the prescription provided.
Oral Hygiene
Beginning the day after surgery, brush as best you can and rinse with warm salt water six times daily. Clean wounds heal better and faster.
Activity
Limit physical activity at first. If exercise causes throbbing or bleeding, stop. Hydration and nutrition support recovery.
After Dental Extractions
Bleeding and Clot Formation
After tooth extraction, a blood clot needs to form in the extraction socket to stop bleeding and begin the healing process. Bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after your appointment. If bleeding or oozing continues, place a gauze pad or moist tea bag over the area and bite firmly for another 45 minutes. You may need to repeat this a few times.
Protect the Extraction Site
Once the blood clot forms, do not disturb it. Avoid vigorous rinsing, smoking, sucking on straws, and brushing directly next to the extraction site for 24 hours. These actions can dislodge the clot and slow healing.
Swelling and Discomfort
Some pain and swelling are common. Use an ice pack on the outside of the face as directed. Swelling typically improves after 48 hours. Take pain medication exactly as directed. Call the office if the medication does not seem to be working.
Antibiotics
If antibiotics are prescribed, take them for the full length of time, even if symptoms improve.
Diet and Fluids
Drink plenty of fluids and choose nutritious soft foods the day of the extraction. You can return to a normal diet as soon as you feel comfortable.
Oral Hygiene
After 24 hours, resume your normal dental routine, including brushing and flossing at least once or twice a day. Be gentle around the surgical site. Keeping your mouth clean supports a smoother recovery.
When to Call Us
Call our office if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling after 3 days, or a reaction to medication.
After Multiple Extractions
Multiple tooth extractions often involve additional shaping of bone to support healing and future dental work. Some oozing is expected.
If bleeding occurs, place gauze over the area and bite for 45 minutes. A moist tea bag can also be used. If bleeding persists, avoid hot liquids, minimize activity, elevate your head, and call our office. If an immediate denture was placed, keep it in unless bleeding is severe, since it can act like a bandage.
Use ice for the first 36 hours, on and off while awake. For mild discomfort, Tylenol or ibuprofen may be used. For severe pain, take the prescription provided.
Drink at least eight glasses of liquid the first day, since fluids support healing and replace expected blood loss. Avoid straws. Do not rinse on the first post-operative day while bleeding is present. After the first day, use warm salt water rinses every 4 hours and after meals.
Swelling often peaks on day 3. Bruising near the eye can occur. Moist warmth after 36 hours may help. Sore throat, dry corners of the mouth, and mild temperature elevation can occur for 24 to 48 hours. If fever persists, call our office. If dentures were placed, see your dentist within 24 to 48 hours for adjustment to prevent sore spots that slow the healing process.
After Sinus Lift Bone Graft
Sinus Pressure Precautions
Do not blow your nose for the next four weeks, or longer if Dr. Patel indicates. You may sniff, but do not blow. Do not sneeze while holding your nose. Sneeze with your mouth open.
Avoid activities that increase nasal or oral pressure, such as heavy lifting, straining, bending over, blowing up balloons, scuba diving, or flying in pressurized aircraft. Do not spit or drink through straws.
Medications
If antibiotics are prescribed, take them exactly as directed until they are gone. A decongestant such as Sudafed may be recommended to reduce sinus pressure.
Oral Hygiene
Do not rinse or spit on the day of surgery. Beginning the day after the procedure, start gentle salt water rinses to support healing and lower the risk of infection. Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz glass of warm water and gently rinse several times a day, especially after eating, for about 10 days. Avoid vigorous rinsing that could force fluid into the surgical wound and reflux out through your nose.
Do not brush directly in the area of surgery for 48 hours. When brushing, be gentle and avoid pulling at sutures.
Smoking and Appliances
Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks. Smoking significantly increases the risk of infection and graft failure after sinus augmentation. Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery unless Dr. Patel specifically instructs you to.
Sinus Precautions
You may have developed a communication between the maxillary sinus and a tooth socket, or you may be at higher risk of developing one. These precautions support complete tissue healing.
Avoid smoking during the healing period. Avoid blowing your nose for four weeks and avoid activities that increase pressure, including strenuous exercise, straining, bending over, or sneezing with your mouth closed. Use saline nasal spray twice daily for two weeks if recommended. Take antibiotics as prescribed.
Sudafed or Dimetapp may be recommended for two weeks to reduce sinus congestion. Rinse your mouth gently and avoid vigorous rinsing, which can push salt water into the socket and cause a burning sensation or fluid from the nose.
Some nasal bleeding can occur during the first week. Rest, elevate your head, and use a drip pad if needed. If you continue to feel water moving into your nose when you drink, call our office at (614) 471-6600.
After Socket Bone Graft
A socket bone graft is made up of very small particles that support new bone formation. During the first several days, you may notice a few small granules in your mouth. This is expected and does not indicate a problem with the graft.
Protecting the Graft Site
During the early healing period, the graft material is still stabilizing. To support proper healing and preservation of the socket:
- Do not disturb the wound with your finger or tongue.
- Avoid rinsing or spitting for the first two days to allow the blood clot and graft material to stabilize.
- Do not pull on your lip to look at the stitches, as this can damage the surgical site.
- Avoid smoking, as it interferes with healing and increases the risk of graft failure.
Oral Hygiene and Rinsing
After the second day, you may begin gently rinsing with warm salt water. Rinse carefully and avoid vigorous swishing, which can dislodge graft particles. Continue gentle rinses as directed to keep the area clean while protecting the graft.
Dentures and Appliances
If you wear a partial denture or flipper, you may need to see your dentist for an adjustment. Your dentist can also provide guidance on safe removal and placement during healing.
Barrier Membranes and Follow-Up Care
If a non-resorbable barrier membrane was placed and secured with non-dissolving sutures, you may need a follow-up visit around two weeks after surgery for suture removal and another visit around three weeks for membrane removal. Timing depends on your individual treatment plan and healing progress.
If you have questions or notice anything unusual during healing, contact our office for guidance.
After Soft Tissue Biopsy and Frenectomy
Soft tissue biopsy and frenectomy healing is usually straightforward when bleeding control and oral hygiene are consistent.
Bleeding
Bleeding should be minimal, though light oozing can occur. Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, smoking, or straws for the first day. Rest in a semi-upright position using two pillows. If bleeding occurs, apply constant pressure with gauze over the surgical site, changing it every 10 to 15 minutes for the first 30 minutes. Repeat as needed. If significant bleeding continues, call our office.
Swelling
Swelling and bruising are normal and vary. Use ice 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 36 hours. Swelling often peaks around day 3.
Infection
Risk is low in healthy patients, though antibiotics may be prescribed. Take medication exactly as directed. If you develop hives or a rash, discontinue medication and contact our office. A mild temperature elevation for 24 to 48 hours can occur. If fever persists, call our office.
Pain
For minor pain, an over-the-counter option may help, such as Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve. Avoid aspirin, since it can affect clotting. If you were given a prescription pain medication, take it as directed and avoid driving while using it. Take pain medication with food to reduce nausea risk.
Nausea
Nausea is often linked to swallowed blood or pain medication. Sipping a carbonated beverage such as 7-Up or ginger ale can help. If nausea continues, call our office.
Diet
Use a no-chew diet on the day of surgery. Avoid crunchy, spicy, or acidic foods at first. After that, return to normal eating and drinking as comfort allows. Avoid the surgical site when chewing. Do not use a straw. If you had a lingual frenectomy, begin using your tongue the next day. If you had a labial frenectomy, avoid biting into foods like a sandwich for a few days.
Oral Hygiene
Rinse gently with warm salt water 5 to 6 times daily. Brush your teeth after surgery, avoiding the treated area for a few days. Clean healing tends to be faster and more comfortable.
Smoking
Smoking irritates gum tissue, increases discomfort, delays healing, and raises infection risk. Avoid it during recovery.
When Should I Call Our Office?
Call Implant & Oral Surgery of Columbus in Gahanna if you have heavy bleeding, swelling that increases after the first few days, fever, severe pain that is not improving, or any concerns about your surgical site. Clear communication supports safer healing and helps protect your recovery.
What Patients Can Expect From Our Team
Many patients tell us they felt comfortable every step of the way and appreciated how clearly everything was explained before and after surgery. Dr. Patel and his team are known for calm, direct communication and personal follow-up after procedures, including post-op check-ins by call or text when appropriate, so patients feel supported once they are home.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have questions about these instructions, your type of surgery, sedation options, or your recovery plan, our team is here to help. Contact Implant & Oral Surgery of Columbus in Gahanna, Ohio, to schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel and receive procedure-specific guidance designed to support comfort, safety, and a smooth recovery.
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