Matthew Okui, D.D.S., Inc.
16055 Ventura Blvd-Suite 820- Encino, California 91436
Periodontics & Dental Implants
TEL: (818) 990-5222 Cell: (818) 426-6312 E:mokui@aol.com
Post operative instructions
Driving:
If sedated during the operation, do not drive an automobile or put yourself at risk for 24 hours.
Medications like Valium, Codeine and Vicodin impair coordination and should not be used when
driving or operating dangerous machinery.
Discomfort:
There may be some discomfort after surgery. Take primary pain medication for 2 days even if you
are experiencing little or no pain. Combinations of pain medications work better, but avoid taking
different medications at the same time. Take medications with 2-4 ounces of water and a little
food. Use ice packs for the first 2 days.
Bleeding:
It is normal to have a small amount of bleeding the first day. If excessive bleeding occurs, apply
pressure inside the mouth for 20 minutes with a moist paper towel or a moist tea bag.
Do not rinse to stop bleeding.
Swelling:
It is normal to have swelling after therapy. Ice packs lightly held on the outside of the face over
the treated area reduce swelling. Apply for 20 minutes per hour for 48 hours following surgery.
(Frozen peas or corn are effective ice packs).
Ibuprofen and Aleve (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications) reduce pain and swelling
significantly. Swelling and bruising may appear the day after surgery and last 5 days. Elevate your
head with pillows the first night. Place towels over pillows to prevent staining. Skin discoloration
and bruising is common.
Rinsing:
Gently rinse after meals (or 3 times per day) with small amounts of salt or tap water for the first 4
days. Starting on day 5 you can alternate rinses with Listerine or Scope. Continue rinsing until the
dressing is removed. Do not use water jet/pick irrigation system around the surgical site for at least
2 weeks. No hydrogen peroxide as this will delay healing.
Brushing:
Do not brush or floss the areas treated for 7 to 10 days. Continue to brush and floss untreated areas.
Eating:
Do not chew in the areas treated for 3 weeks. No hot food and drinks for the first 2 days.
Eat soft food like yogurt, ice cream, eggs, jello, cottage cheese, fish, bananas. Multivitamins and B
complex speed healing. Minerals like calcium and magnesium help bone heal. Eat foods high in
protein for the building blocks of healing.
Drinking:
Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated.
No alcohol during the first day, especially if taking Sedatives, Tylenol and Codeine or Vicodin.
Smoking:
Do not smoke. Smoking interferes with healing and delays recovery. If you must smoke, smoke as
little as possible.
Rest:
Limit your activity to those requiring minimal exertion for the first 3 days. Heavy activity will
worsen bleeding and swelling, so get plenty of rest.
Bandage:
Bandaging with putty like material may be placed around the teeth and gums. Chew on the
opposite side of the mouth. Small particles or the entire dressing may come off. If so, don’t worry.
Simply throw dressing away. The dressing will be removed at the next appointment. Dissolvable
sutures have been placed.
Warning signs:
There will be lethargy during the first 4 days. This should not be cause for alarm, but if any of the
following rare conditions occurs, please call Dr. Okui immediately:
-Pain or bleeding you cannot control.
-Swelling that does not improve in 7 days.
-Hives or rash that can signal to an allergic reaction usually from the medications.
-Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
-Dental implant crowns or components are loose or have come off.
Post operative visits:
Follow-up visits will be scheduled approximately 7 days, 3 weeks, and often 12 weeks after
surgery. Taking Ibuprofen or Tylenol an hour before these appointments can help with any
sensitivity.
We will be able to give a prognosis for the treated areas as healing progresses.
Oral hygiene:
Daily brushing and flossing and periodic cleaning by dental professionals prolongs the health of
the treated areas. We will be reviewing correct oral hygiene during post-operative visits.
Medication Directions
Antibiotic:
tablet(s) every
hours for
days
Second antibiotic to be started after finishing the above.
Antibiotic:
tablet(s) every
hours for
days
Primary Pain Medication
Ibuprofen 200mg (Advil)
Naproxen Sodium 220mg (Aleve)
Aspirin
Tylenol 500mg
tablet(s) every
hours for
days
Secondary Pain Medication (Use as needed together with primary pain medication)
Tylenol 500mg
tablet(s) every
hours for
days
Tylenol and Codeine
Vicodin (Hydrocodone)
tablet(s) every
hours for
days
Percocet
Do not take all the medications together at one time. Space out the medications.
Drink with 6 ounces of water. Minimize orange juice (acidic) which causes vomiting.
Dr. Okui’s Cell Phone (818) 426-6312