New Dental Patient Information Cypress
Helping You Prepare for Your First Visit
Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Cypress is here to make your first visit to our office a success. If you have received a referral from your general dentist, we assure you that our oral surgeons are the best in the area. Part of what makes us a preferred choice among healthcare professionals and patients is our commitment to honest, transparent, and superior care. This starts by making sure you are fully prepared for your initial visit, so feel free to review the following information and call us if you have any questions.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Our doctors believe in building relationships based on trust, so your first appointment will likely consist of learning more about us and vice versa. We want you to be comfortable with us and our approach, so we’ll ask questions about your case and what you hope to achieve with oral surgery and treatment. We’ll also perform a thorough examination so that we can visualize the problem area(s).
For this initial appointment, we ask that you please bring:
- Documents provided by your dentist (i.e., X-rays and referral slip)
- A list of any medications you are currently taking, as well as the dosages
- Your dental and medical insurance cards
- Any medical records that indicate an extensive history of conditions or issues
You should not expect to undergo any formal treatment on the same day of your initial visit. Instead, we will schedule this for another date, as we’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary information before deciding whether to move forward. If we decide that preparatory treatments are required, this will also be discussed during this appointment and scheduled for another date and time.
Patient Registration Forms
If you want to speed up the check-in process when you arrive at our office, make sure to click on the links below to download your patient registration forms. These can be filled out beforehand and brought to your appointment. This will ensure you are escorted to a treatment room quickly so that you can meet with one of our doctors on time.
Medical & Dental Insurance Information
Depending on the type of procedure you require, you may want to use your dental or medical insurance to help with the costs. At Piney Point OMS of Cypress, we are pleased to welcome PPO, HMO, and POS plans so that you can maximize your available benefits and get the most out of your coverage. Our team is here to take the burden of filing a claim off your shoulders, as we will make sure all the paperwork is filled out correctly before submitting for approval.
How much you can expect your plan to pay will vary based on the type of treatment you receive, and it’s unlikely that the full amount will be paid by your insurance company. Since some out-of-pocket costs are to be expected, our team will be happy to go over the additional payment options that are available.
Pre-Op Instructions
- Make sure your mouth (i.e., teeth, gums, tongue, etc.) is clean before arriving for your appointment.
- Have a responsible adult come with you to your visit, as they will need to drive you home. They will need to be present before, during, and after the procedure.
- If your surgery is in the morning, do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. If it is not until the afternoon, you may consume liquids for breakfast, but nothing else until after your procedure. The most important rule of thumb is NO FOOD OR DRINK FOR AT LEAST SIX HOURS BEFORE YOUR SURGERY.
- If your doctor provides medication that must be taken 1-2 hours before surgery, only take it with a sip of water.
- If your child is preparing for oral surgery, you or another parent or legal guardian must remain with them throughout the appointment.
- It’s best to wear loose-fitting clothes as well as short sleeves. You should not wear any jewelry or shirts with a tight collar. Also, no neckties.
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The effects of sedation will likely dissipate within 30-45 minutes after surgery; however, you will still need someone to escort you home, where you will need to rest for the remainder of the day.
Post-Op Instructions
Fractured Jaw & Osteotomy Surgery Care Instructions
Bleeding
Use clean gauze to apply pressure to the extraction site for 45 minutes. If you notice the bleeding continues, swap out the current gauze pad with a clean one and bite down hard. You will need to do this in 45-minute intervals so the bleeding will stop. Do not be surprised if your saliva appears to be tinged with blood for a few days following your procedure.
Medication
If your doctor prescribes any medication, take it as instructed. You’ll want to take the first dose with a clear liquid. Any additional doses should not be taken on an empty stomach. Once you begin to feel uncomfortable and have ingested (drank) something substantial, take the second dose.
Smoking
Do not smoke or use any kind of tobacco products for at least 48 hours after your surgery.
Oral Rinsing
It’s best to wait at least 6 hours after your procedure before rinsing your mouth. The day after surgery, you can gently rinse with mouthwash to keep your oral cavity clean.
Diet
You should only have liquids on the day of your surgery as well as the day after. Consuming a lot of fluids in the days following your procedure will help prevent dehydration and keep your mouth moist. You may ingest the first liquid three hours after surgery. If you are able, you can begin to incorporate soft foods after the first 48 hours. Only until you hear from our doctors can you eat anything else. You should avoid all alcohol for at least 24 hours, but if you are taking pain medication, do not attempt to consume these types of beverages.
Ice Packs
Using an ice pack during the 48 hours after surgery can help reduce swelling and discomfort. You’re likely to see more inflammation on the second day, but this will begin to go down as the days pass. After 72 hours have passed, you can use moist heat if you experience soreness or bruising, but any heat should only be used in 30-minute intervals. You can do this 3-4 times a day until you no longer experience symptoms.
Dental Emergencies
After your surgery, our team will want you to be able to reach us should unusual symptoms occur, or an accident happen. This is why you can call the surgical office 24 hours a day for help. It’s important to remember that following your doctor’s instructions will lower the risk of complications. Improvement should be visible within 3-4 days, but tenderness will likely remain. If you notice pain is not dissipating, even with the help of medication, after 3-4 days, call our office right away.
Postoperative Care - Day of Molar Surgery
Bleeding
Post-surgical bleeding is normal but should be controlled with firm, consistent pressure that is applied for one hour. You will need to bite down on sterile gauze until it's time to remove it after one hour. If bleeding continues, you can reapply a clean gauze pad every hour until it stops.
Medications
- Antibiotics: You should begin taking your antibiotics four hours after your surgery. This should also be after you consume your first liquid meal. Do not stop your medication at any point; instead, continue until it is finished.
- Anti-Inflammatory: If you are prescribed Motrin, NSAID, or any other anti-inflammatory medication, begin taking it four hours after surgery and after your first liquid meal. You’ll need to take it again every 8 hours for three days. Only if mild pain persists should you continue to take it. These medicines help reduce swelling and discomfort but do not cause drowsiness. If it is necessary, you can take anti-inflammatory and pain medication at the same time to control your discomfort.
- Oral Pain: Your doctor will likely administer pain medication immediately after your surgery, so you should not expect to feel any discomfort for several hours. If necessary, you may take additional pain medication every 3-4 hours, but they are likely to cause drowsiness, so you should not plan to drive.
Smoking
Do not attempt to smoke for at least 48 hours after your procedure.
Ice Packs
Continuous use of an ice pack is recommended for 36 hours following surgery.
Diet
You should plan to follow a liquid diet after surgery, which can start three hours after returning home. You’ll need to continue for 48 hours and make sure you’re consuming lots of fluids for several days.
Oral Rinsing
Six hours after surgery, you can begin to rinse with half Chloraseptic, half water. This should be done after meals and before you go to bed.
First Day After Oral Surgery
Medications
Based on your doctor’s instructions, you should take any antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and pain medications.
Ice Packs
You’ll need to continue using an ice pack during the day, but you should not use one at night. Increased swelling is common on the second day after surgery.
Diet
You’ll need to consume a full liquid diet throughout the day.
Brushing
On the first day after surgery, you can begin to brush your front teeth, but you’ll need to avoid any surgical sites until after your follow-up appointment with your doctor.
Second Day After Oral Surgery
Medications
Based on your doctor’s instructions, you should take any antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and pain medications.
Ice Packs
Do not plan to use an ice pack on the second day.
Diet
You may begin eating soft foods, such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and other similar options.
Third Day After Oral Surgery
Medications
You should plan to continue taking your antibiotics until the prescription is finished. If you are taking anti-inflammatories, you can discontinue these unless you experience discomfort. If you are in pain, you may take the appropriate medication, but only if the anti-inflammatory is not enough.
Heat
Moist heat or a heating pad may be used if you notice bruising or swelling. You can apply it 3-4 times a day for 20-30 minutes at a time. You should discontinue the use of heat once your symptoms subside.
Diet
You are free to eat a regular diet at this time, but you’ll need to avoid any sharp or overly chewy items for several more days.
Emergencies
You can contact your doctor 24 hours a day by calling the oral surgery office if you notice unusual symptoms. Abiding by the instructions provided will help reduce the likelihood of complications. Tenderness is normal, but it should improve after several days (3-4). If you develop persistent pain and medication is not helping, call our office right away.
You should expect a postoperative visit to be scheduled 5-10 days after your procedure, so make sure to keep your appointment.
Fractured Jaw & Osteotomy Surgery Care Instructions
- When surgically repositioning a broken jawbone, it will need to be immobilized. This means wiring your teeth and using splints and rubber bands to position the bones for maximum healing. If we must use internal rigid fixation with screws and plates, jaw movement is allowed.
- It’s normal for healing to take 6-8 weeks. Only then will any appliances be removed.
- There will likely be initial pain, but pain medications can be taken as needed. Over time, this will dissipate, but you should not attempt to open or move your jaws, as this will only increase the pain and potentially delay healing. It may also create muscle spasms throughout your jaws.
- You will need to stay nourished during this time, so expect your diet to consist of liquids (i.e., milkshakes, soup, juice, etc.). You can also take liquid supplements, like Sego, Boost, and others. You may find it helpful to use a food processor to blend up solid foods. You’ll find it easier to consume 5-6 small meals as opposed to 3 large ones, but you’ll need to make sure you are ingesting 8-10 cups of fluid daily. The key when it comes to your diet is to maintain at least 2,000 calories each day to keep from losing weight and stay hydrated.
- Keeping your mouth clean is essential, even when your teeth are wired shut. You’ll need to rinse 4-5 times a day (after eating is a must). You can also use a child’s toothbrush to clean your teeth. It can be helpful to purchase a water irrigator to remove food debris after meals as well. When it comes to rinsing, you’ll need to use the following products separately during each cleaning time:
- Hydrogen peroxide, 3% - 1/2 strength
- Chloraseptic, Listerine, or Cepacol mouthwash
- Peridex oral rinses
- Vomiting or severe nausea can occur, so if it does, remove the rubber bands or wires between your upper and lower teeth. You can use scissors or wire cutters if your jaws are fixed, but you’ll need to call our office to have them replaced immediately.
- It is necessary to undergo frequent office visits and have postoperative X-rays taken to ensure proper healing.
- After the first 1-2 weeks of recovery, you may resume a moderate schedule. You should not plan to go swimming or engage in any contact sports. You can, however, bathe and wash your hair like normal.
- If you notice that the wires are irritating your soft oral tissues (i.e., lips, cheeks, etc.), you can use wax over the sharp areas, but only temporarily. Using a lip lubricant like Vaseline is helpful, but if you discover problems, such as an uncomfortable bite, fever, swelling, or bleeding, call our oral surgery office right away.
