After Biopsy
- Patients who have undergone IV Sedation should be carefully attended to by a responsible person for 24 hours (through 1st night) after leaving the office. The patient is not permitted to drive the day of surgery or while taking narcotic pain medications.
- Bleeding- Bleeding follows any surgery and should not alarm you unless it is excessive. Remove any gauze that is present upon discharge from the office after one hour. If bleeding continues, it may be controlled by placing a firm roll of gauze or a tea bag directly over the bleeding area and exerting continuous pressure for one hour. Repeat if necessary.
- Discomfort- A certain amount of discomfort is to be expected. This varies with the amount of surgery required. It is usually controlled effectively by the medications that are prescribed. Eating something before taking these medications may help avoid nausea/ The first dose of pain medication should be taken before the local anesthetic has had time to wear off completely. If you are not allergic to Ibuprofen (Advil, etc.) 600mg can be taken every 6 hours in addition to the prescribed pain medication to limit discomfort and swelling.
- Swelling and Discoloration- These are part of the healing process and peak at 2 to 3 days after surgery. Unless it is extreme, there is no cause for concern.
- Diet- Please do not eat anything until the numbness has worn off completely to minimize the possibility of biting into the numb area. After the numbness has worn off, you may resume a fairly normal diet, just avoiding any tough/crunchy or spicy foods.
- Brushing and Rinsing- Unless the biopsy was performed on the gums, normal brushing can take place. If the gum was biopsied, please refrain from brushing that area for at least 24 hours.
- Laboratory Costs- Your biopsy specimen will be sent to a pathologist to be examined. The facility will bill you, or your insurance company, if applicable. This is a separate charge from our office and is not included in your surgery cost. The doctor does retain the right to send the specimen to a specialist, an oral pathologist, if he feels it is medically necessary.
- Call the office regarding any complications regarding your procedure. Do not call your physician or your regular dentist. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day.
