Socket Grafting Postoperative Instructions

  • Prescribed medications should be used as directed.
  • For the first 12 hours after surgery, ice packs should be placed extra orally over the surgical site (15 minutes on/15 minutes off).
  • A small amount of blood oozing from the surgical site is normal; however, in the event of such bleeding, the patient should bite down on sterile gauze for 30 to 45 minutes. If bleeding is excessive, the clinician’s office should be contacted immediately.
  • Please refrain from using any prescribed or over the counter mouth rinse during the healing period.
  • Do not consume any Alcohol during the healing period.
  • A soft diet should be followed in the area of the surgery for 2 weeks.
  • Sucking on a straw, spitting, or smoking should be avoided.
  • Brushing near the grafted site should be avoided for 1 to 2 days.
  • The patient should relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities for the first 24 hours following surgery.
  • The office should be contacted if the patient experiences a fever of 101ºF or higher, excessive bleeding, unusual pain, or reaction to the medications prescribed.
  • The patient should return for the postoperative follow-up and suture removal appointment.

If a sinus communication occurred during surgery as a result of the close relationship between the roots of the maxillary teeth and the sinuses, these instructions should be followed:

  • The patient should not blow the nose.
  • The patient should not sneeze through the nose but rather with the mouth open.
  • Swimming and strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 1 week.
  • It is not uncommon to have a slight amount of bleeding from the nose for several days.
  • If there is a persistent sinus communication, a second procedure occasionally may be required to close the communication.

If you need to speak with Dr. O or the on call doctor after hours please call our office:

908-751-7117 and press option 5.