How you prepare for your surgery, both mentally and physically, can have a significant impact on the success of your procedure. If you require anesthesia for your surgery, there are several ways to prepare so you remain safe during surgery. It’s normal to feel apprehensive or nervous, but rest assured, your surgical team at Newme Dental Implants has the qualifications and training to provide safe and comfortable treatment in Houston, TX. Following our pre-operative instructions can help you experience better surgery and recovery.
Do not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for the 8 hours before your appointment. If your surgery is scheduled for the morning, avoid food and water after midnight. If you have an afternoon appointment, you can eat and drink lightly (toast, water, tea, or black coffee) in the morning. Do not drink alcohol for the 24 hours before your appointment.
Refrain from smoking at least 48 hours before your appointment. Ideally, it will be most beneficial for your health and healing to minimize or stop smoking as soon as you can before your surgery. Tobacco and nicotine can burn oral tissues and restrict blood and oxygen flow. Healing slows, and the risk of infection significantly increases.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing, short sleeves, and shoes with low heels (or no heels). We’ll need access to your arm during surgery and want you to feel as comfortable as possible. Do not wear jewelry, contacts, or cosmetics (perfume, makeup, lipstick, nail polish, etc.).
For your safety during surgery, you must fully inform our team of any daily medications or supplements, including vitamins and herbal products, blood thinners, insulin, pain or depression medication, or any other substances used medically or recreationally. Certain medications are allowed on the day of surgery, but others may need to be paused days and even weeks before. Patients with asthma should bring their inhalers to the appointment.
If you have a chest or head cold, sore throat, fever, stomach flu, or another illness, we may determine that rescheduling your appointment is necessary. Surgery is an invasive experience for your body, and it’s critical for the success of your procedure and your recovery that you’re in the best possible health.
You will need a friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment and to remain in our office (or waiting outside in a vehicle) for your surgery. You cannot drive, operate machinery, or make decisions for the rest of the day.
Do not participate in physical activity or exercise, drive a vehicle, or use machinery for the first 24 hours following surgery.
This is an approximate timeline. Due to your bone anatomy, healing time and schedule, this may change.
Extractions, bone graft, implant placement
-Recovery from sedation
* Actual surgery 8AM-11AM*
-Digital scan process to design temporary prosthesis for next day delivery
*Scan & Design 11AM-2PM*
-FoIIow -up & Hybrid Acrylic permanently retained temporary placed
**you will wear this temporary until ideal healing is achieved
*30 MINUTE APPOINTMENT*
-Check healing process
-Review Oral hygiene instructions and begin using water pik
*30 MINUTE APPOINTMENT*
-Check healing process
-Review Oral hygiene instructions and begin using water pik
Same Day Design & New Design Try-In Option $200:
Digital scan impression ((AM scan and PM Try In of new hybrid acrylic design))
Same Week Zirconia Option $500:
Digital scan impression w/ multiple try ins on 1st appt date & delivery of zirconia 5 days later
Ex: Scan on Tuesday at 9am,Delivery on Saturday
THIS APPOINTMENT IS TO START THE SCANNING PROCESS TO BEGIN
FINALIZING AESTHETIC CHANGES FOR YOUR ZIRCONIA FINALS**
-Check healing process
-Possible final scan/digital impression taken if ideal healing has been achieved.
-IF no additional adjustments are needed on your second set, we will start processing your Zirconia.
-IF additional adjustments or appointments are needed in between, please call the office to schedule.
-After the Zirconia set, we will see you every 6 months for maintenance.
-Please remember to call our office with any questions or concerns or for any scheduling needs.
8406 Hall Rd. Ste 100
Houston, TX 77075
832-791-3039
Toothpaste is an anticoagulant and will disrupt the clotting process required for your healing. You may dip your toothbrush head into a separate cup of the stellalife mouth wash and brush using that instead. Once you are able to brush using toothpaste, please use one with NO baking soda, whitening, or anything abrasiv or “scratchy”. Doing so will scratch up the surface of your temps.
Please use one one the examples listed below:
Pepsodent toothpaste OR Crest Gum Detox toothpaste
Any soft bristle toothbrush- brush twice a day to remove a biofilm layer of bacteria on teeth.
The sinus lift is performed to increase the height of bone available for your implant(s). It is imperative that you follow the instructions listed below carefully to maximize your healing and improve the long-term outcome of your sinus lift and dental implant(s).
Do NOT blow your nose for at least 4 WEEKS, as the pressure will delay or damage TOMORROW your sinus healing. If you have to sneeze, do NOT hold it back- sneeze out. Open your mouth and try to minimize the pressure in your nasal/sinus passages.
You may use nasal decongestants, such as over-the-counter Sudafed® tablets or Afrin® nasal spray, to keep your passages dry, especially if you have noticed continued drainage or feel the need to blow your nose
This creates suction, which may damage a healing clot.
You may drink out of a cup or bowl, or use a spoon
-FoIIow -up & Hybrid Acrylic permanently retained temporary placed
**you will wear this temporary until ideal healing is achieved
When using the stella life mouth wash or salt water,
you will roll the fluid around in your mouth and allow it to fall out after.
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are exercising, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.
Standards of good oral hygiene are critical for the success and functionality of the implants and restoration. The best way to prevent infection and ensure healing is to keep your mouth clean. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal beginning the day after surgery. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste (AFTER ONE WEEK) after meals and at bedtime. If you wish to brush your prosthetic teeth, you may do so with a toddler/extra soft toothbrush and a non abrasive toothpaste. Use of dental waterpik is highly recommended to irrigate underneath the denture to flush out debris. DO NOT begin use of the dental waterpik until you are directed by our office to do so.
Minimal bleeding is expected after this implant procedure. The best way to stop bleeding is to place a damp piece of gauze in your mouth and gently bite down, applying firm pressure for approximately 30 minutes. Pink or blood-tinged saliva may be seen for 2-3 days following the surgery and does not indicate a problem. Suture material may last 2-3 weeks and should be left alone. You will be asked to return at the surgeon’s discretion. Do not pull or cut the sutures yourself.
Swelling/bruising is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and healing and trauma. The swelling may not become apparent until 24 hours after surgery and will not reach its peak for 2-3 days. After this time the swelling/bruising should decrease but may persist for 7-10 days. Swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Apply an ice pack to the outside of the face 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off while awake for the first 24 hours .. After 48 hours, begin use of warm, moist compresses to the cheek. THIS IS ALL A NORMAL PART OF THE PROCEDURE AND HEALING PROCESS
Rest and relax with no physical activity that will elevate the heart rate for the first 3-4 days after surgery. After 4 days, you may resume activity as tolerated. No strenuous exercising or heavy lifting for approximately 1 week after surgery.
Unfortunately, most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. If you do not have an allergy to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil), we recommend taking this prior to the local anesthetic wearing off. More severe pain may require narcotic pain medication. Narcotic pain medication will make you drowsy, do not drive or operate mechanical machinery while taking the prescription. Alternate ibuprofen (2 tablets/200mg each) and the narcotic medication every two hours if needed. ONce you feel like you can stop the narcotic, use ibuprofen or Tylenol. You may also be prescribed an antibacterial mouth rinse which should be used twice daily in the first two weeks following implant surgery. Postoperative antibiotics should be taken as directed and always take the entire course of the prescription. All medications should not exceed the recommended dosage. *NOTE: If you are taking PLAVIX or COUMADIN, do NOT take ibuprofen or aspirin products.
After general anesthetic or I.V. sedation, start with liquids. While numb, patients should avoid hot foods and liquids. Your food intake will be limited for the first few days, compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. We recommend high protein shakes, smoothies (Ensure, Special K, etc) as a meal replacement supplement. Patients are restricted to a SOFT chew food diet for the first 6 weeks. If food cannot be easily cut with a fork, DO NOT eat it! ABSOLUTELY NO CHEWING ON ICE.
Drinks,
Water, Juice, Yogurt, Popsicles, Smoothies/protein shakes, Milkshake
Foods
Jello, Pudding, Ground meats Fish, Ice Cream (PLAIN) Scrambled Eggs, Cream of Wheat Soups, Mashed Potatoes, Cottage Cheese, Pasta, Pancakes
The first week will require soft foods only. When you are able, you may introduce fork tender foods. ANY FOOD THAT CAN BE CUT WITH A PLASTIC FORK! Add soft foods when numbness is gone. Increase diet as tolerated
*NO RICE OR NUTS OR CHEWING ON ICE **ENSURE DRINK, SMOOTHIES ARE RECOMMENDED ***NO CARBONATED BEVERAGES OR SPICY FOODS for approx 2 weeks as you still have open sites
PLEASE DO NOT USE WATER PIK UNTIL YOU ARE CLEARED TO BY OUR OFFICE!
• You will rinse with warm salt water for the first month after surgery (1 c water to ó
tsp salt) if you can tolerate 1 tsp of salt, please do so.
• If the corners of your mouth are stretched, they may dry and crack. Your lips should be
kept moist with an ointment such as vaseline.
• Sore throat and pain when swallowing are not uncommon. The muscles get swollen and
the normal act of swallowing can become painful. This will typically subside in 2-3 days.
• Stiffness of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days.
Do not force your mouth open. Massage the muscles and apply moist heat.
• With the upper jaw implant treatment, you may develop bleeding from the nose. This is
usually temporary and typically will not persist after 2-3 days. Follow sinus precautions
supplied to you, if applicable.
• An appointment may be needed within a few days of surgery to make any adjustments
to your temporary denture.
• Excessive salivation is normal. Your mouth has to become accustomed to something
new.
• You will have to move soft foods to the back of your mouth and swallow.
• Your case is individual, as no two mouths are alike. Discuss all questions/concerns with
your oral surgeon or implant coordinator.
• IF YOU HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO HOLD BLOOD THINNER, PLEASE CHECK
AND CONFIRM WITH YOUR PCP ON WHEN TO RESUME TAKING MEDICATION.
Although I grouped these foods by meal, if I felt like a baked potato at 8am I had it. The most important thing for me was to stay full (as much as you can). Another important thing for me was to change up your flavors. Don’t get in a rut! Stay creative! For instance if you think you’re getting tired of scrambled eggs, add some chorizo or cheese. Make it Italian with some garlic powder, basil and parmesan cheese or add some pesto.
Some of these foods on the list I couldn’t do the first couple weeks as my mouth was very sore, but I added them for later.
• Grits (could add different cheeses or gravies)
• Cream of Wheat or Cream of Rice
• Pureed oatmeal (add milk, pureed fruit, honey)
• Boost or Ensure
• Carnation Instant Breakfast
• Smoothies (fruit and protein)
• Refried beans (with queso or melted cheese or chorizo)
• Soft scrambled eggs or over-easy eggs
• Blended egg salad (no celery or pickles but you can add pickle juice)
• Gravy with a soaked biscuit or soft bread (no crust)
• Pancakes
• Egg bites
• Juices (avoid orange/VS juice at first)
• Canned fruit
• Bananas
• Watermelon or cantaloupe in a blender or any other fruit
• Applesauce
• Muffins/pumpkin or banana bread (no nuts or raisins)
• Cottage cheese/Ricotta cheese with honey or pureed fruit
• Yoghurt (high protein if possible)
• Soggy cereals (Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, or Golden Grahams are good soggy cereals)
• Baked potatoes (with cheese, sour cream, chives)
• Mashed potatoes (garlic and dill, or add cheese, garlic, etc)
• Baked sweet potatoes
• Steamed/cooked until very soft veggies like zucchini (no seeds), cauliflower, broccoli
(very tops of the heads only)
• Canned carrots or green beans (mashed)
• Canned beets (mashed)
• Frozen chopped or creamed spinach
• Mashed beans or chickpeas (I like to add tikka sauce to chickpeas with a little plain
Greek yoghurt)
• Cornbread
• Canned pastas such as Chef Boyardee or Spaghettios
• Stuffed shells (with cheese or finely cooked seasoned hamburger meat) *If you boil
hamburger meat and stir as it cooks it becomes very fine. Then you can drain it and
season it from there.
• Baked ravioli (either of these with marinara or alfredo sauce)
• Lasagna
• King Ranch Chicken (with rotisserie chicken)
• Macaroni and cheese
• Meatballs or meatloaf (mashed at first)
• Wolf brand chili (over cornbread is filling)
• Meats like beef/pork roast in the Crock Pot (diced fine when done) with gravy of course!
• Pulled pork diced fine
• Potato salad mashed no celery or pickles
• Avocadoes/guacamole (smooth)
• Tuna salad (no onions but use onion powder, no pickles but use pickle juice with mayo)
• Rotisserie chicken
• Stovetop stuffing
• Baked or grilled fish
• Pureed soups or blended soups
• Shaved deli meats
• Dinty Moore beef stew blended (great over a baked potato)
• Deviled ham or Deviled chicken spreads on soft bread (use a fork)
• Peanut butter
• Hummus
• Pimento cheese
• Cream cheese
• Dips (non-chunky)
• Egg drop soup
• Wanton soup
• Knorr noodle sides (assorted flavors)
• Vienna sausages
• Pudding/Jello with whipped cream
• Fruit cobblers
• Ice cream (with hot fudge or caramel sauce)
• Baked apples/pears (no skin) with cinnamon
• Cheesecake
• Drinkable yoghurts
• Milkshakes
• Cakes
• Milano cookies dipped in tea or coffee first
• Junior Mints
• Little Debbie Fudge Rounds
• Twinkies
• Brownies (no nuts)
