Patient Information provided by Vancouver Oral Surgery Group

In order to provide our Patients and Referring Doctors the best service, we have included financial information, pre-operative and post-operative instructions to make your visit to our office as easy and comfortable as possible.

Financial Options:

Financial concerns should never stand in the way of excellent oral and maxillofacial surgery care.

The Vancouver Oral Surgery team will work closely with you to design the payment program that fits your personal needs.

For your convenience we offer Capital One financing and Care Credit, which is a convenient, low minimum monthly payment program with little or no interest.

CareCredit is a credit card exclusive for healthcare services. And, it’s better because you get no Interest or low interest financing every time you use it. You can use your card over and over for follow-up appointments or different procedures. This means you don’t have to put your health and beauty on hold until you save up enough money.

Click on the buttons below to learn more and to apply online:

Pre and Post-Operative Instructions:

Pre-Operative Instructions

1. If you are going to have an IV anesthetic (sedation):

(a)	DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING including water, gum, mints or candy after mid night the night before surgery. Prescribed medications can be taken with a very minimal amount of water. If you eat or drink anything else, your surgery will be postponed.
(b)	You must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Your ride must come into the office with you at the time of surgery and wait until he/she is told it is okay to leave.
(c)	If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you.
(d)	You will need a responsible adult with you for a minimum of six hours after surgery.
(e)	You must not drive for 24 hours after IV anesthesia.
(f)	No alcoholic beverages for three days after surgery or while taking pain medications.
(g)	No contact lenses on the day of surgery.
(h)	No eye make-up or long earrings on day of surgery.
(i)	Please remove any tongue stud if applicable.

2. Wear loose clothing for easy accessibility to upper arms.

3. If you have any signs or symptoms of the flu or cold, please call the office immediately. It may be necessary to postpone your surgery.

Post-Operative Instructions

1.	BITE ON GAUZE FOR 1 HOUR WITHOUT CHANGING IT. Change gauze every hour until bleeding has stopped. Do not disturb the area with fingers or by sucking on the gauze or fingers. No rinsing, brushing or spitting for the first day. Do not use drinking straws for 7 days. Any SMOKING within the first week after surgery frequently results in delayed healing and significantly increased pain. No alcoholic beverages while taking pain medication. TOMORROW start rinsing with warm salt water (1/2 tsp. salt to 8 oz. warm water) 4 times a day for a week or until all tenderness is gone. If you have been given an oral irrigating syringe, begin irrigating the extraction sites the day after surgery with the same irrigation solution. The syringe should be used as long as areas exist where food or other debris can become entrapped. This may be for several weeks. You may begin brushing your teeth the next day very gently, working your way back to the extraction site areas over time.

2.	DIET - Nourishment is very important, especially for the first day. Start with clear liquids (broth, fruit juices, 7-up, jello, tea, etc.). Only cool soft liquids and foods such as juice, 7-up, yogurt, pudding, jello, custard, milk shakes, apple sauce, ice cream, etc. may be consumed. After the first twenty-four hours, eat whatever is most comfortable. PLEASE NOTE: Pain medication should not be taken on an empty stomach.

3.	PAIN in varying amounts is to be expected after oral surgery. Its severity usually depends on the extent of the surgery. If a prescription was given for pain relief, have it filled and take the first tablet before the numbness in your jaw has completely worn off; take additional tablets thereafter for pain relief according to directions on the prescription. If no prescription was given, take Tylenol or Ibuprofen in doses as recommended on the label every 4 hours as needed for pain relief. Take any other medicine prescribed according to direction.

4.	SWELLING - In order to minimize swelling which may occur after surgery, use an ice pack on the outside of the face 20 minutes on each side, alternating sides, for the first 12 hours only. Maximum swelling usually occurs after 24-48 hours.

5.	BLEEDING - Some oozing is normal following all procedures for 24-48 hours. However, excessive bleeding should be controlled. Place a sterile gauze or a cool moist tea bag over the wound. Hold firmly for 45 minutes by closing your teeth together. If bleeding does not subside, call us for further instructions.

6.	NAUSEA can occur after surgery, especially after an IV anesthetic. It is frequently caused by the pain medication. Stop the pain medication and take only clear fluids (7-up, broth, fruit juices, jello, tea, etc.) until the nausea is gone then resume the pain medication along with a normal diet as comfortably as tolerated. If nausea and vomiting persist or recur, call this office for a prescription for anti-nausea medication.

7.	SUTURES used are usually the type that will dissolve. This usually occurs within 5-7 days although some may come out as early as 24-48 hours after surgery. This is normal and should cause no problems.

8.	MISCELLANEOUS - Pain in the ear, difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in opening and closing and some local discoloration of the skin are additional findings which occur with varying frequency. Any symptoms lasting longer than 5 days call the office.

9.	If IV anesthesia is used, it is strongly recommended that the patient not be left alone on the day of surgery.

10.	ANTIBIOTICS may or may not be prescribed based on the clinical judgement of your doctor. The prescription of an antibiotic is not indicated for all extractions or other oral surgical procedures. SOME ANTIBIOTICS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO DECREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BIRTH CONTROL PILLS. If an antibiotic is prescribed, additional methods of birth control should be used throughout the entire monthly cycle in which the antibiotics are taken.

If you have IMPACTED TEETH removed:

1.	Expect AT LEAST 2 to 3 days of significant discomfort requiring prescribed pain pills for relief, facial swelling and stiffness or difficulty opening your jaw. Many people experience 2 to 3 days of significant discomfort.

2.	Do not plan to return to work or perform vigorous physical activity for at least 24-48 hours.

3.	If 3 to 5 days after wisdom tooth removal you develop a persistent throbbing ache in the jaw, earache and bad taste in the mouth, you may have a “dry socket”. Call the office. If you have a dry socket, we will want you to return for treatment to relieve the symptoms.

If you had an IMMEDIATE DENTURE INSERTED at the time of your surgery or extractions:

1.	DO NOT remove the denture. If you do, you may not be able to get it back into your mouth because of swelling.

2.	See the dentist who made your denture in 24 hours for removal of the denture and any denture adjustments.

3.	This office is responsible for care related to your surgery, but the fit of your denture and its adjustments are the responsibility of your dentist.

In case of emergency, call the office day or night. 695-9248 or 260-3290.

The Vancouver Oral Surgery Group Has Two Offices Serving
Both the Eastside and Westside of Vancouver, Washington.

Corrective Jaw Surgery