Post-Op Information Following Laser Periodontal Disease Treatment
Post-Op Information Following Laser Periodontal Disease Treatment
Do not be alarmed with any color changes or appearance of tissues following laser therapy. Tissues can be gray, yellow, red, blue, purple, “stringy” and reflect normal response to laser treatments.
Reduce activity for several hours following the surgery.
It is OK to spit, rinse, and wash your mouth today. Rinse as directed with Peridex after breakfast and before bedtime. In between, it is OK to rinse gently every three (3) hours with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8oz. glass of warm water). Do not chew on the side of your mouth, which has been treated.
Do not eat spicy or excessively hot foods.
Try to keep your mouth as clean as possible in order to help the healing process. Brush, floss and follow other home-care measures in all the areas of your mouth, EXCEPT for the surgical area(s). Do not brush the surgical area for one week. After the first week, you may resume brushing with the extra soft toothbrush provided until you are seen for your post surgical appointment.
Do not apply excessive tongue or cheek pressure to the surgical area.
Do not be alarmed if one of the following occurs:
- Light bleeding
- Slight swelling
- Some soreness, tenderness or tooth sensitivity
- Medicinal taste from the Peridex mouth rinse
Occasionally, surgical packing/dressing is placed over the area to prevent food, trauma and/or smoke from irritating the surgical tissues. If a piece of the pack falls off or if the entire pack loosens and falls off, do not be alarmed.
Swelling may possibly occur. To keep this at a minimum, gently place an ice pack on the outside of the face for 20 minutes each hour until you retire for sleep that night. Do not continue using the ice pack beyond the day of the periodontal surgery.
Some oozing of blood may occur and will appear to be greatly exaggerated when it dissolves in saliva. Determine the side of oozing and place pressure on this area with either a wet tea bag or a wet piece of gauze. If excessive bleeding continues, please call the office.
It is very important to maintain good food and fluid intake. Try to eat soft, but nutritious food such as eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, yams/sweet potatoes, fish, soups, etc. for the first week. After one week, you can slowly start adding other foods you can cut with a fork until you can comfortably return to a normal diet.
If medication has been prescribed, please take exactly as directed.
Please call the office if you experience any of the following:
- Prolonged or severe pain
- Prolonged or excessive bleeding
- Considerably elevated or persistent temperature
Do not be alarmed that beginning with just 2 weeks after therapy and extending as long and 1 year or more, the teeth may become sore and tender as the bone and ligaments around the teeth regenerate and become more firm. This is a sign of healing, but also indicates the presence of a bite imbalance that needs to be adjusted. This will be performed in our office at a later date.
“Spaces” between your teeth can result from reduction of inflammation, swelling and the removal of diseased tissue after the LANAP treatment. These spaces usually fill in over time, and again, bite adjustment is critical to making sure the teeth and the tissue is not traumatized and can regrow.
Questions? Please Call
Office Hours:
- Monday: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 to 4:00 pm
Should you have questions during
office hours, please call the office at (630) 377-4677
After office hours, Dr. Kolinski and Dr. Crosby may be reached at the following phone numbers:
Dr. Kolinski’s home number: (630) 752-4222
Dr. Crosby’s cell number: (312) 399-7655
Dr. Kolinski’s cell number: (630) 235-3944