Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions
Diverse age group of patients smiling.
Discharge Checklist – Preprosthetic Surgery
  • Have the surgeons told you that you are ready for discharge?
  • Have you arranged for a drive home?
  • Have you had X-rays taken after your surgery?
  • Has the dietitian spoken with you about what you can and cannot eat?
  • Do you have a follow-up appointment for the Oral Surgery Clinic?
  • Do you have instructions from the oral surgeons about your care at home?
  • Do you know when to have your stitches taken out?
  • Do you have your prescriptions?
If You Stay In Hospital – Preprosthetic Surgery
  • Once you are in your room, you may have visitors. We will try to accommodate your needs and your family’s needs for contact. We also must respect the rights and needs of other patients. Please check with the nurses about visiting guidelines for your unit. Visitors may be asked to leave when the doctors or nurses come to see you.
  • You will be encouraged to drink fluids. The intravenous (IV) will be taken out only when all the IV medications have been given and you are drinking enough fluids.
  • Once you feel steady on your feet, you will be encouraged to get up and walk. You may need help walking on the first day.
  • The resident surgeons will see you every morning. Please tell them if you have any concerns or problems.
  • Facial swelling can go up over 3 days and will gradually go down over 3-4 weeks. Ice packs will be placed on your face to lessen the swelling.
  • A dietitian will talk with you about what you can and cannot eat during the healing period. If possible, have the person who will cook your meals at this meeting.
  • Your upper or lower denture may be secured in your mouth. This allows for the undisturbed healing of the jaw ridges. The surgeon will tell you when the dentures will be taken out.
  • If your dentures were not secured to your jaw ridges during surgery, the surgeon will tell you when you can start wearing your dentures. It is very important not to wear the dentures until this time.
  • It is very important to rinse your mouth as instructed. The surgeon and residents will talk about mouth care with you. Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is necessary to prevent infection.
  • If bone was taken from your hip or skin was taken from your thigh, you may find it uncomfortable to walk for several days. This will get better and is normal.
  • If bone was taken from your hip or skin was taken from your thigh, AVOID taking a bath for a period of time. It is OK to take a shower.
  • The surgeon can only estimate how many days you will be in hospital. You will be discharged only when you are eating and drinking well and are comfortable.
After Surgery – Preprosthetic Surgery
  • You will be taken to the recovery area. You will stay there for 1-4 hours depending on the length of your surgery.
  • The nurses will take your vital signs several times during your stay there. This is normal.
  • Medications will be given to make you comfortable, prevent nausea, and lessen facial swelling. These medications will be given to you by intravenous (IV) until you are drinking well.
  • A nurse will help you to the bathroom until you are steady on your feet.
  • You will have stitches near your waistline if bone was taken from your hip. These stitches are often covered by tape for several days. You may have a bandage over your thigh if skin was taken from there.
  • Once you are fully awake and comfortable, you will be taken to your hospital room if you are not able to go home.
 
Questions Or Concerns Once You Are Home
Urgent questions If you experience any of the following:
  • Bleeding from the wound
  • Discharge from the wound
  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • Significant nausea and/or vomiting
  • Increasing pain or pain not improving
  • Significant increase in swelling
  • Shift in bite (your teeth move, so it feels different when you bite into something)
  • Fever
  • The loss of several elastics or wires causing a loosening of the jaw immobilization (if present)
Call 902-473-5238 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Messages will be returned as soon as possible. If it’s busy or outside of the above hours, call 902-473-2222 and ask for the oral surgery resident on call. Stay on the line and the resident will be with you shortly. Non-urgent questions Call the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic, Victoria General site between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. The phone number is 902-473-2070. Messages will be returned as soon as possible.
Discharge Checklist – Temporomandibular Joint Surgery
  • Have the surgeons told you that you are ready for discharge home?
  • Have you arranged for a drive home?
  • Have you had X-rays taken after surgery?
  • Has the dietitian spoken with you?
  • Have you received a follow-up appointment for the Oral Surgery Clinic?
  • Have you received instructions from the oral surgeons about your care at home?
  • Have you been told when to have your stitches removed?
  • If your jaws are wired together, have you received a pair of wire cutters and instructions on their use?
  • Do you have your prescriptions?
  • Have the surgeons suggested when you can return to work?
After Your Surgery – Temporomandibular Joint Surgery
  • You will be taken to the recovery area. You will remain there for 1-4 hours depending on the length of your surgery
  • The nurses will take your vital signs several times during recovery. This is normal
  • You will be given medications to make you comfortable, prevent nausea, and help reduce facial swelling. These will be given by intravenous (IV) until you are drinking well
  • Until you are steady on your feet, a nurse will help you to the bathroom
  • Facial swelling will increase over 3 days and will gradually reduce over 3-4 weeks. Ice packs may be used to minimize the amount of swelling
  • A small amount of blood will ooze from your nose and surgical incisions for the first 2 days. This is normal
  • You may have stitches in front of your ear or under your jaw. These stitches are often covered by tape for several days
  • You may have a pressure bandage over the stitches in front of your ear
  • You will have stitches on your chest if a rib bone was used to repair your jaw joint
  • Your jaws may be fixed together with either elastics or wires. This allows for the proper healing of the bones
  • You may find it hard to swallow and talk if your jaws are fixed together. This will improve after a couple of days
  • Vomiting can occur. Do not panic. Many spaces exist between your teeth even when they are wired together. These spaces will allow the vomit to pass through
  • Once you are fully awake and comfortable, you will be taken to your hospital room
  • You will be able to have visitors once you are in a hospital room. We will try to accommodate your needs and your family’s needs for contact. We also must respect the rights and needs of other patients. Please check with the nurses about visiting guidelines for your unit. Visitors may be asked to leave when the doctors or nurses come to see you
  • You will be encouraged to drink fluids. The IV will be taken out only when all the IV medications have been given and you are drinking enough fluids
  • Once you feel steady on your feet, you will be encouraged to get up and walk. You may need help walking on the first day
  • A dietitian will talk with you about what you can and cannot eat during the healing period. If possible, have the person who will be cooking your meals at this meeting
  • It is very important to rinse your mouth as you are told. The surgeon and residents will talk about mouth care with you. Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is necessary to prevent infection. Do not brush your teeth until told to do so. Brushing your teeth too soon after the surgery can damage the stitches in your mouth
  • The resident surgeons will see you every morning. Please tell them if you have any concerns or problems
  • The surgeon can only estimate how many days you will be in hospital. You will be discharged home only when you are eating and drinking well and are comfortable
  • If a rib bone was used for your jaw joint surgery you will be asked to AVOID taking a bath for a period of time
  • The surgeon will tell you what activities you will need to avoid to allow for proper healing of the jaw joints after surgery
At Home – Corrective Jaw Surgery
  • You will be given prescriptions for antibiotics and pain pills if needed. It is very important to take these as instructed
  • You will be given a return appointment before you go home. This will enable the doctor to follow your progress and identify any problems
  • Continue to follow the diet recommended by your dietitian. You can expect a 5-10 pound weight loss. A greater weight loss should be reported to the doctor
  • Continue to brush your teeth as instructed. Rinse with salt and water (1 /2 tsp. salt in 8 oz. of water) as needed. Gum breakdown and accompanying soreness should be reported to the doctor
  •  For at least 2 weeks after discharge, you should lead a relaxed and quiet life. You will find that you have less energy than usual and need more rest. After 2 weeks, you may resume your usual activities. You must avoid contact sports and swimming while the jaws are wired
  • Do not drink alcohol while your jaws are wired
  •  Report signs of infection (such as fever, chills, increased pain, and swelling) to your oral surgeon
  •  You should have a humidifier in the bedroom to moisten the air
Discharge Check List – Corrective Jaw Surgery
  • Have the surgeons told you that you are ready for discharge home?
  • Have you arranged for a drive home?
  • Have you had x-rays taken after surgery?
  • Has the dietitian spoken with you?
  • Do you have a follow-up appointment at the Oral Surgery Clinic?
  • Have you received instructions from the oral surgeons about your care at home?
  • If your jaws are wired together, have you received a pair of wire cutters and instructions on their use?
  • Have you received your prescriptions?
  • Have the surgeons suggested when you can return to work?
After Your Surgery – Corrective Jaw Surgery
  • You will be taken to the recovery area. You will remain here for 2-4 hours depending on the length of your surgery.
  • The nurses will take your vital signs several times during your stay. This is normal.
  • Medications have been ordered to make you comfortable, reduce the amount of swelling, prevent nausea and help with any nasal congestion you may have. These medications will be given through your intravenous (IV) until you are drinking well.
  • Until you are steady on your feet, a nurse will help you to the bathroom.
  • Facial swelling will increase over 3 days and will then gradually reduce over 3-4 weeks. Ice packs will be placed on your face for the first 24 hours to help control the amount of swelling.
  • Bruising can occur.
  • A small amount of blood will ooze from your mouth and nose for the first 2 days. This is normal. If bleeding from your mouth or nose starts once you are home, call the Oral Surgery Clinic immediately. Between the hours of 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Monday -Friday, call (902) 473-5238. For all other times or if the above number is busy, call (902) 473-2222 and ask for the oral surgery resident on call. 
  • There may be tape above and below your lips. This helps the healing process. You will be told when it can be removed.
  • Your jaws may be fixed together with either elastics or wires. This allows for the proper healing of the bones.
  • You may find it difficult to swallow and talk if your jaws are fixed together. This will improve after a couple days.
  • Vomiting can occur. Do not panic. Many spaces exist between your teeth even when they are wired together. These spaces will allow the vomit to pass. The nurse will help you.
  • When you are fully awake and comfortable, you will be taken to your hospital room.
  • Once you are in your room, you will be able to have visitors. We will try to accommodate your needs and your family's needs for contact. We also must respect the rights and needs of other patients. Please check with the nurses about visiting guidelines for your unit. Visitors may be asked to leave when the doctors or nurses come to see you or another patient.
  • You will be encouraged to drink fluids. Your IV will be removed only when all the IV medications have been given and you are drinking enough fluids.
  • Once you feel steady on your feet, you will be encouraged to get up and walk. You may need help walking on the first day.
  • A dietitian will speak with you about what you can and cannot eat during the healing period. If possible, have the person who cooks your meals at this meeting.
  • It is very important to rinse your mouth as· instructed. The surgeon and residents will discuss mouth care with you. Keeping your mouth clean is needed to prevent infection. Do n9t brush your teeth until told to do so. Brushing your teeth too soon after the surgery can damage the stitches in your mouth.
  • You will be given mouth and lip exercises to do. This improves the soft tissue healing around your mouth area.
  • If your lips are dry ask the nurse for cream or ointment.
  • The resident surgeons will visit you every morning. Please tell them if you have any concerns or problems.
  • The surgeon can only estimate how many days you will be in hospital. You will be discharged home only when you are eating and drinking well and are comfortable.
  • Your surgery has involved the surgical cutting of bones. Like bone fractures, it will take many months for the bones to completely heal. During this time avoid any activities that may injure the surgery site. 
Going Home – After Surgery
You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home from the hospital. When you are ready for discharge, a staff member will call this person. You will not be permitted to walk home or take public transit. You should have someone at home with you overnight to provide care to you as needed. If you have small children, arrange for someone to help you for a few days if needed. Bring loose fitting clothing, such as a sweat suit and comfortable shoes to wear home. Anything that fits tightly may cause discomfort 011 your incision. They may be too tight to fit over casts or dressings. We trust that this pamphlet has helped you. A box for comments is available in the Same Day Surgery Unit. We would like to hear your comments and / or suggestions about this booklet and your hospital stay. Please use the next page to write down any questions you would like answered.  
Post Recovery Area – After Surgery
Instructions about your care at home will be reviewed with you and your questions answered. Your nurse will discuss with you tl1e routines of your surgeon as applicable. Some of these instructions will include what type of activity you will be able to do when you return home (housework, lifting, driving), appointments for follow-up visits, and prescriptions if needed. You will change into your clothing. After 6 p.m. weekdays, weekends, or holidays, you will be discharged from the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) . Instructions will be given to you in this area.
Recovery Area – After Surgery
You will wake up in the Post Anesthetic Care Unit. (PACU) . Most patients recover from their anesthetic in this area. The nurse caring for you in the PACU will frequently check your:
  • Blood pressure and pulse
  • Breathing
  • Intravenous
  • Dressings
Your nurse will also assess your level of discomfort / pain and give you medications as needed. You may be sleepy, your mouth may be dry, and there may be a small plastic airway in place to help your breathing. You may be given oxygen for a short time. The patches, placed on your chest for heart monitoring, may still be in place. The clothespin like device attached to your finger may also be in place to measure your oxygen levels. There may be a small amount of drainage on your dressings. Do not be alarmed as this often happens. Your nurse will watch this and call the surgeon if needed. The skin around where you had your surgery may be pink. This is normal. It is a cleansing solution used in the OR to ensure your skin is clean before surgery starts. When you are more awake and comfortable, you will be taken to the post recovery area to get ready to go home.  
For Your Discharge Home – Patient’s Checklist
  • You must have a responsible adult accompany you home by car and you should make arrangements for someone to be with you at home to care for you for the first 24 hours. If you have small children, make arrangements for someone to help you
  • Prescriptions (have these filled on your way home)
  • Follow up appointments with your surgeon or family doctor will be discussed with you
  • Discharge teaching will be completed by your nurse
Stitches After Minor Oral Surgery
The stitches in your mouth will dissolve on their own and fall out.
Food After Minor Oral Surgery
Only drink cold fluids on the day of surgery, for example: ice cream, Jell-O®, eggnog, milkshakes. Then eat warm soups and very soft foods for the next couple of days.
To Control Swelling After Minor Oral Surgery
Swelling is normal. It may go up until the 3rd day after surgery and then it will start to go down. '
  • For the first 24 hours, use ice packs, alternating 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off. Do not use ice packs after the day of surgery
  • The day after surgery, use warm, moist heat on the area. A hot water bottle or warm, moist towel can be used until the swelling and stiffness go away
To Control Bleeding After Minor Oral Surgery
Some oozing and discoloration of saliva is normal. If bleeding continues, hold gauze in place for 30 minutes to 1 hour with constant firm pressure. If the bleeding does not stop, call your doctor.
  • Do not suck or spit
  • Do not use a straw when drinking
  • Do not smoke
  • Do not disturb the wound. This may start an infection, irritation and/or bleeding
Mouth Care After Minor Oral Surgery
Start rinsing your mouth the morning after your surgery. Use a small pinch of salt in a glass of warm water. Rinse several times a day. Be sure to rinse after meals and at bedtime.
Activity After Minor Oral Surgery
When you get home, lie down with 2 pillows under your head. You may feel sleepy and lightheaded.
Discomfort After Minor Oral Surgery
Take medication as prescribed by your doctor. Do not drink alcohol while taking pain pills.
Dry Sockets After Dental Extractions or “Wisdom Teeth” Removal
Dry socket can occur after any dental extraction. It is recognized when:
  • Initial pain from surgery is better
  • Then, the pain returns to the same area
  • Socket becomes very painful
  • Pain medication does not work
  • Pain spreads to front of the jaw and/or to the ear
Depending on how painful it is, you may have to come into the Clinic to get the socket treated with medication. Dry socket is more common in the lower jaw. It is more likely to occur in females than males, females who take birth control pills, older people and smokers. Remember that you may have only a few or all of the symptoms described depending on the difficulty of your extraction(s).
Smoking After Dental Extractions or “Wisdom Teeth” Removal
If you smoke, you should try to avoid smoking until the sockets heal over. This may take 2-3 weeks. If you cannot hold off for this period, it is in your best interest to stop smoking for as long as possible after the surgery. Smoking can complicate healing or lead to infection or “dry socket”.
Sedation and Anaesthesia After Dental Extractions or “Wisdom Teeth” Removal
You may have been given an intravenous sedative for your dental extractions. If so, you may or may not remember much about your procedure. Before you leave, the doctor and staff will ensure you have recovered adequately. Although you may feel awake and alert after your procedure, you may have some of the sedative drugs still in your “system”. This is why you are not allowed to drive a motor vehicle or perform any dangerous tasks for 24-48 hours (for example: do not use power tools). Do not sign any documents of legal importance. You should stay home and rest quietly for at least 24 hours. You must have someone at home with you for the first 24 hours.
Stitches After Dental Extractions or “Wisdom Teeth” Removal
If you had stitches inserted in your gums, they will dissolve on their own in 3-8 days. You may see a few spots of blood in your saliva when this happens.