1. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SURGICAL PROCEDURE(S)

 - Rest well, and sleep abundantly the night before the procedure. Relax, as most procedures are a pleasant surprise, and easier than you perceive.

 - Please arrive at the office 10-15 minutes in advance, as paperwork and other preparations are usually necessary.

 - If you have any financial or insurance concerns and questions, please have them answered to your satisfaction before the date of surgery. 

 - Medications for your use, before and after the surgery are usually prescribed to you, at your usual pharmacy at least a day or two in advance. If this was not arranged, please call your treatment coordinator at the office. If the medications are available, take them accordingly.  

 - Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Please wear little or no facial makeup.

 

For intravenous (IV) conscious sedation or general anesthesia

 - Do not take anything by mouth, solid or liquid for 6 hours prior to the appointed surgery time. For essential medications, please consult our treatement coordinator for specific instructions.

 - You must have transport arranged ahead of time. You will not be able to drive for 24 hours.

 

 

 

 

2. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AFTER SURGICAL PROCEDURE(S)

 

- Please rinse your mouth with cold water (salt water or plain) for 7 – 10 days after your surgery.  Gently swish at least 3-4 times a day for 60 seconds or more each time. Do not swish vigourously.

 

- Ice compressions are strongly recommended throughout the first three days of the surgery. Apply the ice pack gently to the outside of the face in the general area of the surgery. This is the best way to minimize swelling which is expected to be develop in the first 4-5 days.

 

- Sleep with your head elevated.  Place an extra pillow under your head; it is recommended to cover your pillow with a towel (just in case some spotting occurs).  Try to sleep on your back to avoid any incident while sleeping. Spot bleeding may last several days.

 

- Oral Hygiene: Avoid brushing or flossing the surgical site(s). Try to keep the mouth as clean as possible without physically harm,ing the surgical wound. Electric toothbrushes tend to be rougher than manual (hand) toothbrushes. Where applicable, use the extremely soft tooth brush issued by our office.

 

- Take care of the rest of your teeth; avoid the area the surgery was performed. Accidentally bumping a connective tissue graft could cause the stitches to become loose and the graft to move. The sutures will last 7-21 days and will dissolve on their own, unless otherwise noted. If a stitch breaks or becomes loose in the mouth, you may clip the loose strings, don’t pull. If unsure, please call the office to make a follow-up appointment. It is normal to experience sensitivity to both temperature and touch for approximately 1 month after surgery.

 

- Please take the medication as prescribed following the directions as your pharmacist has recommended. Limit alcohol consumption; it may interfere with antibiotics or narcotics if prescribed. Female patients that are prescribed antibiotics are recommended to seek alternative birth control methods the entire menstrual cycle.

 

- No vigorous exercising, heavy lifting, or any other activities that could cause your heart rate and/or blood pressure to become elevated for 7 days. These types of activities could cause bleeding at the surgery site, swelling or premature loss of stitches. Wait full 7 days before resuming or engaging in heavy athletic activities.

 

- Eat food that requires minimal chewing. Liquids, semi-solids, soups, porridge, pudding etc will be good for the first 24-48 hours. Later well cooked food that are soft can be eaten. For Dr. Kim's recommended recipes click here. Eat food at lukewarm or room temperature.  Steaming hot food will cause swelling and edema and provoke bleeding and delayed healing.

 

- Avoid using straws and spitting as it may encourage bleeding and delaying of healing. Wait 3 full weeks before chewing directly on or around the surgical site.

 

- If you are a smoker, refrain from smoking for at least 3 weeks after surgery.  We also strongly advise that yolu complete quit smoking, as surgical outcomes and long-term success of periodontal tharepy and dental implants are known to be lessened in smokers vs. non-smokers.

 

 

 

* These instructions are 'generic' and may apply to many general post-surgical situations. Your specific needs and care, which are customized to your particular procedures, will be provided to you verbally as well as in written form by our trained treatment coordinators.

 

 

 

3. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

 

If you are a patient of record, trying to reach Dr. Kim for a genuine emergency, you may call his emergency mobile line at  213-842-0775.

 

If the nature of problem is extremely urgent and/or life-threatening, seek immediate and appropriate medical care.

 

Where the periodontist is not available readily, we make all efforts to have emergency coverage by other qualified specialists on-call.

 

Office main line:

 

909-860-9222 Diamond Bar

714-898-8757 Garden Grove 

 

Dr. Kim's email:   drkim@drjinkim.com