Pre-Operative Care Instructions
Prior to dental surgery, we will have given you prescriptions for antibiotics to start the day prior to surgery and pain medication for after the surgery. Some patients experience gastrointestinal difficulties with antibiotics and it is helpful to start taking Probiotics (you can get these at any pharmacy) when you start taking the antibiotics. Probiotics help replenish the good bacteria in your intestines that antibiotics can kill off. If you experience any difficulties with your medications, especially diarrhea, call us immediately.
Please let us know if you are on an aspirin or ibuprofen therapy. We may have you discontinue their use prior to the surgery.
The day before surgery it is important to be well hydrated, this makes it easier for us to locate a vein for IV sedation or a blood draw, so please drink plenty of fluids the day prior. If we are doing IV sedation you will need to fast for 6 hours prior to the surgery, wear short sleeves and have someone drive you to and from your appointment.
Be prepared for your recovery- you will need to take it easy for several days following the surgery. For the first two days you will need to use ice packs to help reduce swelling, the better you are at this, the less amount of pain and swelling you will experience. Soft foods that contain good nutrition are important to your healing process. Yogurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, Ensure (nutritional drink), cottage cheese, even ice cream is a good choice. For the first two days nothing hotter than room temperature, hot foods increase bleeding and can increase swelling.
Pain medication- Most patients will receive Vicodin (hydrocodone). You can take 1-2 tablets every 6 hours as needed for pain. Please make sure you are not taking this medication on an empty stomach, it can cause nausea. If you are able to take ibuprofen (ie: Advil) take 600mg every 6 hours, continue this regimen for one week. Make sure you are not taking the time release form of this medication(ie: Aleve). This will also help reduce swelling. Do not take Tylenol with your prescribed pain medication (hydrocodone) it already contains Tylenol and may result in an overdose. Please call the office if you have any questions concerning your medications.
If you have problems after hours call the office number and our answering service will reach Dr. Miller for you.
Pre-Op Instructions For Conscious Sedation Patients
- Hydrate well the night before the appointment. Then no food or drink 6 hours prior to appointment.
- Please wear short sleeves.
- Do not wear fingernail polish.
- A responsible adult escort must accompany you to the appointment and must stay for the duration of the procedure. We cannot release patients to a taxi service.
- Discontinue taking anti-inflammatory medications (i.e. aspirin, Advil) one week prior to appointment
