Hospital Stay

Most patients stay in hospital for 1 to 3 nights, depending on the complexity of the surgery and rate of initial recovery.

You will receive intravenous (IV) fluids and medications to prevent dehydration, infection, and help manage swelling and pain.

Once you are comfortable, and eating, and drinking adequately, you will be discharged with specific aftercare instructions.

Diet

• You must follow a soft or non-chew diet for 4 to 6 weeks, or as advised by your surgeon. You will build up slowly to a normal diet after this time.
• Adequate nutrition is crucial to promote healing and avoid complications.
• Your surgeon will provide dietary advice during your pre-operative consultation and/or when you are discharged from hospital. Please ask our team if you are unsure or haven’t received these instructions.
• Avoid the use of straw for the first two weeks.

Recovery

Following jaw osteotomy surgery, recovery may take a few weeks. Jaw movement is usually limited for at least a month and should not be a concern. Gentle jaw opening exercises are recommended. Elastic bands are usually attached to the teeth and these should be used according to instructions. Once the jaw is comfortable, they can be removed for eating and tooth brushing and then put back on. Additional relevant information will be discussed with you before and after your surgery and is available in your jaw surgery information pack.

Oral Hygiene

• Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent infection and promote healing.
• Brushing your teeth may be difficult in the first week due to swelling and limited jaw movement but it is really important to persevere. Brushing the teeth will not cause any harm or pull out the stitches. A child’s size toothbrush is helpful. After the first 24 hours, rinse your mouth at least four times daily with:
  • A warm salt water rinse (1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water), and/or
  • Chlorhexidine mouthwash if prescribed.
• Always rinse after meals and before bed.

Stitches

• Dissolvable stitches are usually used and will break down on their own within 7–10 days.
• If they come out earlier, do not be concerned, as this is normal

Swelling & Bruising

• Swelling usually peaks 48 hours after surgery and gradually improves over 3 to 4 weeks.
• Bruising on the face, neck, or chest is common and typically fades within 7–10 days.
• To help reduce swelling, sleep with your head elevated and apply cold packs during the first 48 hours.
• The more you move your face and mouth, the quicker the swelling will reduce. It is important to keep it moving after surgery.

Time Off Work or School

• Plan to take at least two weeks off from work, school, or other major responsibilities.
• A medical certificate will be provided if needed—please let us know if you require one for a longer period.

Follow-Up Appointments

• Your surgeon and orthodontist will schedule regular reviews to monitor your recovery and ensure your jaws and bite remain properly aligned.
• It is very important to attend all follow-up appointments.

When to Contact Us

Please contact our office immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Persistent or worsening pain not relieved by medication
• Ongoing bleeding that doesn’t stop with pressure
• Signs of infection (fever, chills, foul taste or discharge from your mouth)

If bleeding is not settling or you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, please contact us, but also attend your closet Emergency Department for urgent care.

2–3 Days After Surgery

It’s normal to experience mild to moderate discomfort, swelling, and some bruising in the days following implant surgery. Swelling usually peaks around day 2 or 3, then gradually subsides. You may feel tired—this is your body healing. Rest as much as possible during this time.

Aftercare

• Medications: Take all prescribed medications exactly as instructed. This may include pain relief, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics.
• Rest: Take it easy for a few days. Many patients take time off work or regular activities to allow for proper recovery.
• Ice Packs: To help with swelling and discomfort, apply an ice pack to the outside of your face for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off during the first 24–48 hours.

Bleeding

• Minor bleeding or oozing is normal in the first 24 hours.
• If bleeding continues:
  • Place a clean, folded piece of gauze over the surgical site.
  • Apply firm pressure by biting down for 30 minutes without checking.
  • If the bleeding does not slow or stop, contact our clinic.

Pain Management

• (Paracetamol) and (Ibuprofen or other anti inflammatory are usually enough to manage pain.
• If stronger pain relief is needed, your surgeon will provide a prescription.
• Avoid alcohol while taking painkillers or antibiotics.

Diet

• Stick to a soft diet for the first few days—examples include soups, smoothies, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and yoghurt.
• Avoid chewing on the implant site for a few weeks.
• Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
• Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, or hard foods until the site has healed.

Oral Hygiene

• Do not rinse, spit, or brush near the surgical site for the first 24 hours.
• After 24 hours, gently rinse with warm salt water (1 tsp of salt in a glass of warm water) at least 4 times a day, especially after meals.
• Continue brushing your other teeth as normal, avoiding the surgical site.

Healing Abutment Care

• A healing abutment will be placed over your implant. It helps shape the gum and protect the implant while healing.
• If the abutment becomes loose or falls out, keep it safe and contact our office immediately for further instructions.

When to Contact Your Surgeon

Please contact our clinic if you experience any of the following:

• Persistent or worsening pain not relieved by medication
• Bleeding that does not stop after applying pressure
• Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell
• Swelling that worsens significantly after 3–4 days
• Issues with the healing abutment (loose, lost, or discomfort)

Swelling (Day 3–4 After Surgery)

Swelling often peaks around 3 to 4 days after surgery. This is normal, especially after wisdom tooth removal or more complex procedures. Use ice packs during the first 24–48 hours to help reduce swelling. Apply for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off while awake.

• If you had surgery at the hospital, you will leave with ice packs in place. If treated at the clinic, it’s fine to apply ice packs once you’re home.
• Swelling usually begins to improve after day 3-.

Pain Management

• (Paracetamol) and (Ibuprofen or other anti inflammatory medications are usually enough to manage pain.
• If stronger pain relief is needed, your surgeon will provide a prescription.
• Avoid alcohol while taking painkillers or antibiotics.

Bleeding

• Bleeding should largely stop by the end of the procedure or by the time you are discharged from hospital.
• If bleeding continues:
  • Roll a clean piece of gauze into a firm ball.
  • Place it directly over the surgical site and bite down or apply firm pressure for 30–60 minutes without checking.
  • If bleeding persists after this, please contact our clinic.

Diet

• Stick to a soft diet for the first few days (e.g. yoghurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soups).
• Avoid hot foods and drinks, hard or crunchy foods, and drinking through a straw for at least 7 days
• Gradually return to your normal diet as you feel comfortable.

When to Contact Your Surgeon
Please contact our clinic if you experience any of the following:

• Persistent or worsening pain not relieved by medication
• Bleeding that does not stop after applying pressure
• Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell
• Swelling that worsens significantly after 3–4 days

Aftercare

• Keep the surgical area clean by gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) starting 24 hours after the procedure.
• Continue rinsing at least four times a day, especially after meals, for the first week.
• Stick to a soft diet for a few days to avoid irritating the area.
• If dissolvable stitches were placed, they will usually fall out on their own within 3-7 days.

Bleeding

Minor bleeding or oozing is normal in the first 24 hours.
If bleeding continues:

1. Roll a clean piece of gauze into a firm ball.
2. Place it directly over the surgical site.
3. Apply steady pressure by biting down or holding it in place for 30–60 minutes without checking.
4. If the bleeding does not stop, please contact our clinic.

Pain Management

(Paracetamol) and (Ibuprofen or other anti inflammatory medications are usually enough to manage pain.

• If stronger pain relief is needed, your surgeon will provide a prescription.

• Avoid alcohol while taking painkillers or antibiotics.

Results (If Biopsy Was Taken)

• If tissue was sent for pathology, results typically take about 7 working days.
• Your surgeon will call you with the results or schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss them in detail, depending on the findings.

When to Contact Us

Please contact our clinic if you notice any of the following:

• Persistent or worsening pain not relieved by medication
• Bleeding that does not stop after applying firm pressure
• Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell
• Significant swelling that worsens after 3–4 days

If you have had a tooth exposure, there may be a small pack sutured over the tooth. This pack is designed to fall out on its own within 1–7 days after surgery. You may begin gentle circular brushing over the exposed tooth as soon as it feels comfortable to do so, once the pack has fallen out

If the exposed tooth has a bracket attached, please avoid touching or playing with it. The bracket should not dangle — in most cases, it will be secured to the braces chain with a suture.

If you have had surgery close to or involving the maxillary sinus you will need to avoid nose blowing for 14 days. You may be prescribed sprays to keep your nasal passages and sinuses clear.

If you have had a jaw, cheekbone, orbital or nose fracture, rest is important. A liquid/soft diet may be prescribed for up to six weeks. If required, post operative x-rays are usually arranged before your first visit. Additional information for your particular injury, including movement or diet restriction, splints or plasters and wound care will be provided as necessary.

If you have had an expansion procedure carried out on your upper jaw you will need to rest for a few days. There will be swelling adjacent to and under your nose. There will be an appliance in the roof of your mouth that should be activated within seven to ten days of surgery or as directed by your surgeon. Do not blow your nose for 10 days after the surgery.