Quality Dental Surgery in Victoria

Surgery, Bleaching, and Restoration Instructions

Before and after any Victoria dental surgery or procedure, Dr. Crapo & Associates will provide you with instructions to follow. Please read them carefully to make sure that you have as pleasant an experience as possible.

BLEACHING INSTRUCTIONS

Brush and floss teeth thoroughly.
Place a small “pearl” size amount of bleaching gel into front facing side of tray.
Place tray into mouth, gently press into place, and wipe with a tissue to remove any excess gel.
Don’t have anything to eat or drink while tray is in place.
Wear tray for two hours. After two hours remove tray, and rinse and brush with cold water. Brush teeth. You may bleach again the same day providing there is a 2-3 hour break in between sessions.
Avoid consuming foods that stain such as coffee, tea, or red wine. No smoking cigarettes and pipes while bleaching and for at least 2 weeks following completion of bleaching. Avoid citrus beverages and foods during bleaching process.
Store bleaching gel in refrigerator.
Store trays in a cool place, out of the sun.

Colour changes will appear quite white and/or chalky in some spots. Allow 24 hours for the colour to stabilize to true results.

If you have any questions, please call Angela at 250-383-3368.

Print Bleaching Instructions

bleaching

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED A BONE GRAFT

❑ Bone Graft – No Stint

After leaving the office, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.

Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco.
Do not take liquids through a straw.
Do not lift or pull on lip to look at sutures (stitches).
Take your medication as directed.
You may be aware of small granules in your mouth for the next few days. This is not unusual.
Ice/cold pack may be used 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off for relief of pain and swelling.
Do not play with the site or the stitches with your tongue.
Chew food on the side opposite the surgery site.

❑ Bone Graft – With Stint

If you have been given a stint follow the instructions above as well as the following instructions below, to have an optimal recovery:

A clear surgical stint that fits over your teeth in the bone graft area to protect the extraction site and provide comfort. Use Oxygel with the stint—half fill the tray with gel and insert. Do this often (several times a day at least).
You may wear the stint for as long as you require, and while eating, in order to provide comfort, but it MUST be cleaned frequently in order to help avoid infection. Clean your stint by brushing it with a toothbrush under cold running water.
The areas involved will be quite sore throughout the healing process. This is normal.
If you are able (i.e., not allergic), you may take three 200 milligram ibuprofen tablets every four hours (or as needed—but no more than every four hours) for pain relief. Ibuprofen is recommended because of its pain-relieving as well as its anti-inflammatory effects.
Be sure to take all prescribed medications until completed.

Notify the office if:

You feel numerous granules in your mouth. / Your stitches come out. / Your medications do not relieve your discomfort.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Information for Women:

Antibiotics can affect the absorption of birth control pills, causing them to be ineffective. If you are taking birth control pills and have received a prescription for an antibiotic, use other birth control measures during that time and for the remainder of your cycle.

**NOTE** It is important to follow all post treatment instructions closely. Failure to follow the instructions may result in poor healing; more discomfort and the success of the procedure may be affected. All costs associated with corrective treatment due to complications or poor healing will fall to you.

Print Bone Graft - Post-Op Instructions

bone

crown

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS RECEIVING CROWN OR BRIDGE TEMPORARIES

Do not eat anything sticky (for example, toffee), or chew gum.
You may be a little sore along the gumline, so when brushing your teeth, use an extra soft toothbrush and use warm water to make the bristles of your brush softer. Brush gently in that area.
Rinse two to three times daily with Oxyfresh, or a solution of salt water (one teaspoon in an 8-ounce glass of warm water).
You should floss, but it is important that you do so in this manner: insert the floss between the teeth, as normal, but do NOT “pop” the floss back out, or you will risk removal of your temporary. Instead, pull the length of the floss slowly out the side of the tooth.
Information for women: Antibiotics can affect the absorption of birth control pills, causing them to be ineffective. If you are taking birth control pills and have received a prescription for an antibiotic, use other birth control measures during that time and for the remainder of your cycle.

IMPORTANT:

If your temporary crown or bridge comes off, call the office immediately (250-383-3368) for an appointment to have the unit cemented back into place. In the meantime, place the temporary back into position on the tooth (it will only fit on one way).
If your temporary crown or bridge comes off outside of our office hours, call and leave a message on our answering machine with your name and telephone number. Make sure you include in your message the details of why you are calling (i.e., state that your temporary has come off). In the meantime, place the temporary back into position. It should feel snug, and you may sleep with the unit in place, unless it feels loose. If the unit feels loose, or if you are worried about sleeping with the unit in place, place the unit into a bag, but make sure you put it back into place upon awakening.
If your temporary veneer or CMBR (onlay) comes off, place the temporary into a bag and call the office immediately for an appointment to have the unit cemented back into place. This type of unit will not stay in place if you attempt to put it back yourself.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Print Crown-Bridge Temporaries - Post-Op Instructions

DENTAL TREATMENT WITH INTRAVENOUS SEDATION

PRE-OP INSTRUCTIONS

Take your regular medications as per normal. A small amount of water for oral medications is acceptable.
No food or drink 8 hours prior to appointment. *Small amount of water is allowed up to 2 hours prior to appointment.
No alcohol for 24 hours prior to your appointment.
Avoid cigarettes, coffee and tea on the day of appointment. They counteract the effectiveness of the sedation.
On day of treatment please wear short sleeves, loose comfortable clothing and no nail polish.
For surgical procedures - after leaving the office, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
A ride must be arranged prior to your appointment, to take you home, as you are legally impaired for 24 hours after sedation. A taxi is not acceptable.
Someone must be able to ensure you are safe and cared for after you arrive home. You will probably feel like resting/sleeping for several hours and someone needs to be there to ensure your comfort and safety.

Please call our office at 250-383-3368 if you have any further questions or concerns.

Information for Women:

Print Dental Treatment With IV Sedation - Pre-Op Instructions

ivpre

DENTAL TREATMENT WITH INTRAVENOUS SEDATION

POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

By following these instructions, you will continue to have an optimal recovery:

Do not operate motor vehicles, boats or other machinery requiring hand-eye coordination for 24 hours or operate any aircraft for 48 hours following your moderate sedation, as you are legally impaired.
Do not take on any major responsibility, make any major decisions or enter into any legal contracts for 24 hours, as you are legally impaired.
For surgical procedures - after leaving the office, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
As sleepiness may persist for several hours and coordination with natural daily activities will be impaired, it is important to have help at home. A nap is recommended.
Your teeth may not feel like they fit together as they did before. If so, please call our office for an appointment to adjust your bite.
Follow any additional instructions and be sure to take any prescribed medications until completed.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Information for Women:

Print Dental Treatment With IV Sedation - Post-Op Instructions

ivpost

EXTRACTIONS AND/OR SURGERY WITH INTRAVENOUS SEDATION

PRE-OP INSTRUCTIONS

By following these instructions, you will continue to have an optimal recovery:

Take your regular medications as per normal. A small amount of water for oral medications is acceptable.
No food or drink 8 hours prior to appointment. *Small amount of water is allowed up to 2 hours prior to appointment.
No alcohol for 24 hours prior to your appointment.
Avoid cigarettes, coffee and tea on the day of appointment. They counteract the effectiveness of the sedation.
On day of treatment please wear short sleeves, loose comfortable clothing and no nail polish.
After leaving the office on day of treatment, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
A ride must be arranged to take you home prior to appointment, as you are legally impaired for 24 hours after sedation. A taxi is not acceptable.
Someone must be able to ensure you are safe and cared for after you arrive home. You will probably feel like resting/sleeping for several hours and someone needs to be there to ensure your comfort and safety.
On very rare occasions, wisdom teeth extractions may cause numbness of facial nerves. In upper (maxillary) wisdom teeth extractions or apical surgery, there is the potential to expose the sinus and complications may result. In lower (mandibular) wisdom teeth extractions, there is potential for damage to the inferior alveolar or lingual nerve, as well as possible complication of dry socket. Should this occur, you will be informed and instructed accordingly.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Information for Women:

Extractions-Surgery With IV Sedation - Pre-Op Instructions

extractionpre

EXTRACTIONS AND/OR SURGERY WITH INTRAVENOUS SEDATION

POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

By following these instructions, you will continue to have an optimal recovery:

Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages for 48 hours following your appointment. This is important for quick healing.
Do not operate motor vehicles, boats or other machinery requiring hand-eye coordination for 24 hours or operate any aircraft for 48 hours following your moderate sedation, as you are legally impaired.
Do not take on any major responsibility, make any major decisions or enter into any legal contracts for 24 hours, as you are legally impaired.
After leaving the office, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
As sleepiness may persist for several hours, a nap is recommended. When sleeping, you may wish to place a towel over your pillow, as slight bleeding may occur.
After surgery, please do not rinse or spit for 24 hours, as the blood clot necessary for healing may dislodge. After 24 hours, gently rinse 3-4 times daily with warm salt water.
Oral surgery may cause numbness of the facial nerves. Please let us know if this happens.
If bleeding persists, fold gauze provided into ½, then ½ again, place over the site and bite firmly (a wet tea bag will work also).
If swelling occurs, gently place an icepack onto the face 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off. *Swelling is a natural body response to any surgery 24-48 hours after treatment. If swelling persists after this time, please give our office a call.
Eat a soft, but nutritious diet for a few days and avoid drinking ice cold or hot liquids. *Do not drink with a straw.
Follow any additional instructions and be sure to take any prescribed medications until completed.
Our office will be calling to book an appointment for suture removal, or to check on the site to ensure proper healing.

Note to women: If you have been prescribed antibiotics and are on birth control pills, please note that antibiotics may affect the efficacy of birth control pills. Use an additional form of birth control for the remainder of your cycle.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Print Extractions-Surgery With IV Sedation - Post-Op Instructions

extractionpost

EXTRACTIONS AND/OR ORAL SURGERY WITHOUT INTRAVENOUS SEDATION

POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

By following these instructions, you will continue to have an optimal recovery:

Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages for 48 hours following your appointment. This is important for quick healing.
After surgery, please do not rinse or spit for 24 hours, as the blood clot necessary for healing may dislodge. After 24 hours, gently rinse 3-4 times daily with warm salt water.
After leaving the office, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
Oral surgery may cause numbness of the facial nerves. Please let us know if this happens.
If bleeding persists, fold gauze provided into ½, then ½ again, place over the site and bite firmly - (a wet tea bag will work also).
When sleeping, you may wish to place a towel over your pillow, as slight bleeding may occur.
If swelling occurs, gently place an icepack onto the face 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off. *Swelling is a natural body response to any surgery 24-48 hours after treatment. If swelling persists after this time, please give our office a call.
Eat a soft, but nutritious diet for a few days and avoid drinking ice cold or hot liquids. *Do not drink with a straw.
Follow any additional instructions and be sure to take any prescribed medications until completed.
If applicable, our office will be calling to book an appointment for suture removal, or to check on the site to ensure proper healing.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Print Extractions-Surgery Without IV Sedation - Post-Op Instructions

extractwithout

IMMEDIATE DENTURES

By following these instructions, you will continue to have an optimal recovery:

Your denture will usually feel “big” at first. This is normal and you will become accustomed to them in as early as a few days to a few weeks.
After leaving the office, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
Do not take your denture out for 24 hours. This will aid in controlling any post-operative bleeding.
After 24 hours, during the daytime you may remove the denture for a few minutes at a time only. Do not leave them out longer than this or the tissue will swell, making it difficult and painful to reinsert the denture.

NOTE: After the initial 24 hours, dentures should always be left out during the nighttime while you are sleeping. This allows the tissues to breathe.

Sore spots are expected to occur with a new denture. Should sore spots occur prior to your first post-operative appointment, please call our office and we will schedule an appointment to relieve those areas and ensure your comfort.
A post-operative appointment will be scheduled for 7 – 10 days following the extractions and insertion of your new denture.
As the tissue and bone heals, the gums will change shape—causing the denture to loosen. We will accommodate for this by placing a “soft reline” material in the denture. This may last anywhere from 1 to 3 months and is done at no cost to you for a minimum of 2 relines.
After 9 to 12 months, the bone and tissue will stabilize and your denture will be evaluated for esthetics, function, and retention. A permanent reline may be required at this point or in some instances a new denture is required to satisfy your needs. These procedures are separate and are not included in the fee for the immediate denture.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Information for Women: Antibiotics can affect the absorption of birth control pills, causing them to be ineffective. If you are taking birth control pills and have received a prescription for an antibiotic, use additional birth control measures during that time and for the remainder of your cycle.

Print Immediate Dentures - Post-Op Instructions

dentures

PATIENT’S RIDE INSTRUCTIONS

Please follow these instructions to provide optimal safety for the patient:

Go straight home; patients should not be out in the public due to impairment of physical abilities. Watch the patient when moving around at home. Help them with stairs and be prepared to help them in getting to the bathroom and in the bathroom if needed. Give support under their arm as was demonstrated in the office.
Someone must be able to ensure the patient is safe and cared for after arrival home. The patient will probably feel like resting/sleeping for several hours and someone needs to be there to ensure their comfort and safety. They may watch TV and doze in and out – this is to be expected.
Ensure patients regular medications are taken as per normal, unless otherwise instructed. No alcohol or smoking for at least 48 hours.
Patients can eat soft foods as soon as they feel able. Be aware of areas that have local anesthetic so patients don’t bite their tongue or cheeks.
Limit any physical activity for 24 hours until full co-ordination has returned. While most people can resume normal activity after 24 hours, this should be monitored to ensure the patient is clear headed and coordination has returned to normal.
For surgical procedures – patient should rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Print Patient’s Ride - Post-Op Instructions

ride

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS - PERIODONTAL SURGERY

By following these instructions, you will continue to have an optimal recovery:

When the anesthesia wears off, you may have some discomfort from the operation that was just performed. Your dentist can recommend a pain medication for you, if necessary.
After leaving the office, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
A periodontal dressing has been placed around your teeth. It is comparable to the surgical dressing used in other types of operations. It serves a very useful purpose and should not be disturbed.
The periodontal dressing will become semi-rigid within a few hours. It can then withstand some of the forces of chewing without breaking. Please limit yourself to a semi-solid diet and avoid excessively hot foods for the first day. Continue to follow a semi-solid diet for 7 – 10 days and avoid eating on the side with the dressing.
The dressing should be permitted to remain in place as long as possible. Small particles may chip off during the week. Should a sizable portion become loose or fall off, please call the office. While the dressing is in place, you may notice a slight pain or soreness in the cheek or inside of the mouth. The edge of the dressing may be irritating the tissue. You should not be concerned that anything has gone wrong in the operated area. Please call the office if the soreness persists. It can be easily remedied.
Rinsing is not an important part of the treatment. The only real purpose it serves is to give you a sense of better oral hygiene. Do not rinse for 24 hours following your surgery. After that time period, if your mouth does not feel clean, you may rinse every two hours with warm water or a diluted mouthwash.
You may use your toothbrush as you usually do, but do not use it on the dressing. Avoid vigorous brushing in parts of the mouth which have previously been operated upon and from which the dressing has been removed. Try to keep food from accumulating in these areas with gentle use of the toothbrush and the rubber tip.
You may follow your regular daily activities. Avoid excessive exertion of any type. Athletics and long exposure to the sun should be avoided for the first three days after the operation. Also…no swimming.
You may experience a slight feeling of weakness, chills or fever during the first 24 hours. This should not be cause for alarm, but it should be reported to the office.
There may be occasional blood in the saliva for the first four to five hours after the operation. This is not unusual and will correct itself. If there is considerable bleeding, take a piece of sterile gauze, form it into the shape of a “U”, hold it in the thumb and index finger, apply it to both sides of the dressing and hold it under gentle pressure for 10 minutes. Do not remove it during this period to examine it. If the bleeding does not stop at the end of this time, please contact the office. Under no conditions should rinsing be used to try to stop the bleeding. Call the office.
If you are concerned about the progress of your recovery, please call the office.

Note to women: Antibiotics can affect the absorption of birth control pills, causing them to be ineffective. If you are taking birth control pills and have received a prescription for an antibiotic, use additional birth control measures during that time and for the remainder of your cycle.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Print Patient’s Ride - Post-Op Instructions

periodontal

SINUS GRAFT POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

After leaving the office, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
Do not blow your nose.
Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco.
Do not take liquids through a straw.
Do not lift or pull on lip to look at sutures (stitches).
If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to avoid any unnecessary pressure on the sinus area.
Use decongestants for 14 days following your dental visit. Follow the directions on the package.
Take any prescribed medications as directed.
You may be aware of small granules in your mouth for the next few days. This is not unusual.

Notify the office if:

You feel granules in your nose.
Your medications do not relieve your discomfort.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Print Sinus Graft - Post-Op Instructions

sinus

SINUS PRECAUTIONS

After leaving the office, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
Do not blow your nose.
Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco.
Do not take liquids through a straw.
Do not lift or pull on lip to look at sutures (stitches).
If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to avoid any unnecessary pressure on the sinus area.
Use decongestants for 14 days following your dental visit. Follow the directions on the package.
Take any prescribed medications as directed.
You may be aware of small granules in your mouth for the next few days. This is not unusual.

Notify the office if:

You feel granules in your nose.
Your medications do not relieve your discomfort.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Print Sinus Precautions - Post-Op Instructions

precautions

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED A TISSUE GRAFT

By following these instructions, you will continue to have an optimal recovery:

After your surgery, you will find that a hard pink protective material has been placed over the graft site. This material should stay in place until we remove it at your post-operative appointment. If it comes off prior to your post-op appointment, please phone immediately and let us know.
After leaving the office, rest and avoid all strenuous activities (work or play) for several days – keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
A clear surgical stint that fits over your upper teeth and the roof of your mouth has been put into place to protect the palate and provide comfort (specifically to the area from which the donor grafting tissue has been removed). Usually we place some of the pink material in this stint as well. At times, the pink material may come loose from the stint. This is okay, and may be discarded should this occur.
You may wear the stint for as long as you require, and while eating, in order to provide comfort, but it MUST be cleaned frequently in order to help avoid infection. Clean your stint by brushing it with a toothbrush under cold running water.
The areas involved will be quite sore throughout the healing process. This is normal.
If you are able (i.e., not allergic), you may take three 200 milligram ibuprofen tablets every four hours (or as needed—but no more than every four hours) for pain relief. Ibuprofen is recommended because of its pain-relieving as well as its anti-inflammatory effects.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 250-383-3368 IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

Information for Women:

Antibiotics can affect the absorption of birth control pills, causing them to be ineffective. If you are taking birth control pills and have received a prescription for an antibiotic, use additional birth control measures during that time and for the remainder of your cycle.

Print Tissue Graft - Post-Op Instructions

tissue