Surgical Instructions

Post-Operative Instructions

Follow the simple instructions below to minimize complications and help ensure prompt recovery after these procedures:

After a Soft Tissue Graft Healing Process

The area where the graft was taken (the palate) will cause you the most problem. Since you do not form a "scab" in the mouth, the area in the palate will appear ulcerated. DON'T BECOME CONCERNED - THIS IS NORMAL HEALING.
 
The most common problem associated with the palate is bleeding. The slightest trauma during eating, etc., may start profuse bleeding. DON'T PANIC. If a guard has been made for you, place it in the mouth and apply enough pressure to cut off circulation. Apply this pressure for a minimum of five minutes. Always remove all large loose clots before applying pressure. Wear the guard continuously for the first 24 hours. Wear it as often as you like after the first 24 hours. The guard is for your comfort, especially when eating. If you don't have a guard then a tea bag soaked in cold water and applied with 10 minutes of pressure will usually stop any oozing.

A Proper Diet for Healing

This type of bleeding may occur from time to time up to a week after surgery, especially if you have not been on a high protein diet. Poor healing will also result if you don't maintain proper nutrition. Tuna is an excellent source of protein, and we have found that it has a profound effect on healing. We recommend that you eat a can a day during your healing process. Supplemental protein liquid meals are another excellent source of nutrition. Stress-tabs (a vitamin) may be purchased at any pharmacy. The high Vitamin C and zinc content included in this vitamin also promotes healing. Take one or two a day. If these are taken in the middle of a meal, you maximize absorption. Your palate will be much more comfortable and heal more rapidly if you avoid sugary, salty, spicy, and acidic foods. Smoking appears to affect the circulation of the graft and may cause the graft to slough, resulting in recession. It is very important, therefore, that you cut back or preferably stop smoking during healing.

Care

Be careful not to dislodge the dressing (if used) over the graft for we are striving for complete root coverage. Use an ice pack over the grafted site 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for three to four hours after surgery. This will prevent swelling. Twenty-four hours after surgery, rinse with Peridex twice a day. After the first week you may use a cotton applicator (Q-tip) to dab the Peridex on the grafted and donor sites, twice a day, if rinsing begins to cause staining.
Begin brushing the rest of the mouth the day after surgery, but avoid brushing the graft sites for three weeks. Be careful not to dislodge dressing, but if the dressing becomes loose please call our office at (972) 934-1400.