At Ickert Dental Implant Centre, each patient's care and comfort is extremely important to us. We have compiled some of our standardized forms that are given to patients prior to, during, and after treatment and have posted them online to ensure that all patients have access to these important documents. We feel it is important that each patient be able to conveniently access this information at anytime.
It is our sincere desire that you are as comfortable as possible following surgery. It is a privilege to partner with you in the treatment of your oral/dental health. If you should have any questions or problems, please call our office at any time at 604.881.1381 or by email at info@ickertdentalimplants.com.
Follow your regular diet until the day of surgery.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing to the office.
Wear no makeup on the day of surgery.
Before leaving for the office, brush and floss your teeth.
Plan no activity for the day of surgery, and limited activity following surgery, depending on the nature of your surgery.
You will be advised regarding how much time of limited activity is required.
Have ice packs available to reduce swelling. Ice packs can be in place for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off for the
remainder of the day. Sleep with an extra pillow and slightly elevate the head to help minimize swelling.
Drink no alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior to surgery, for 24 hours after surgery or until your full cycle of antibiotics
have been taken.
Eat or drink only cold or room temperature foods for 24 hours after surgery. (eg. Protein shakes, Ensure, Boost,
ice cream, yogurt are good choices. Avoid heavy or greasy foods.)
Limit the amount of Aspirin (ASA) and Advil (Ibuprofen) taken pre-surgically, unless instructed by your physician
to continue taking these medications for other medical reasons. If there are no specific instructions from
your physician, you may substitute Tylenol for these medications.
Discontinue Vitamin E, Garlic, Ginseng, and Ginkgo at least one week prior to the surgery. Please advise us of any
other homeopathic medications that you are taking. These can often lead to a thinning of the blood and excessive
bleeding, following any surgical procedure.
Please inform this office if you are taking any other anti-coagulant medication (eg. Plavix, Coumadin, Warfarin)
Take all pre-op medications as prescribed by our office.
Please advise our office of any allergies to medications.
Return to your regular diet as prescribed by your dentist, depending on the nature of the surgery. Avoid coarse foods:
especially seeds, nuts, chips, popcorn, taco chips etc. Soft food is recommended for at least three to four days
after surgery.
Contact lenses are better to be removed prior to surgery.
Patients should be clean-shaven for surgery. Those with beards or moustaches should have them trimmed away from
the lips.
If you are diabetic, taking anti-coagulants (blood thinners), or have a heart murmur, or any osteoporosis medication
(eg. Fosomax) please advise us immediately.
If you are not given oral sedation medication, you will be able to drive home after surgery, but ideally, you may wish toarrange for someone else to drive you home. However, if you choose to take oral sedation medication such as Halcion, Valium, Serax, Trazadon, Zopicolne etc. or if your surgery is with IV sedation, you mustmake arrangements to have someone drive you home.Click to download our 
Preoperative Instructions.
If you are scheduled to receive oral sedation, do not eat for six hours prior or drink anything for three hours prior to the
procedure. (Water and clear fluids are acceptable).
There must be an adult (over 18 years of age) to escort you home. You will not be able to drive. Patients who have had
oral sedation should not drive an automobile for 24 hours.
It is suggested that the patient have an adult stay with him/her for the remainder of the day of surgery.
Click to download our Oral Sedation Preoperative Instructions.
IMPLANT AND GRAFTING PATIENTS: For those patients who have received dental implants, soft tissue or bone reconstruction, Dr. Ickert may advise you not to wear your present denture/temporary tooth replacement for four to 21 days. It is important that you not attempt to place the denture until your first postoperative visit or upon the advice of Dr. Ickert.
SMOKING: Smoking plays a significant role in the progression of bone degeneration, associated bone loss, and delayed wound healing. Patients who smoke following surgery will often experience delayed healing and greater discomfort. In addition, continuation of smoking following surgery may compromise the final result. Dr. Ickert therefore, strongly advises patients to refrain from smoking for at least 3 weeks following surgery.
MEDICATIONS: It is important that you follow the instructions written on your prescriptions. If unfavourable reactions occur (nausea, vomiting, headache, rash, etc.) discontinue medication and call our office. Otherwise, take pain medications within one hour after treatment with milk, fruit juice, or a full glass of water. Never take pain medication on an empty stomach. This medication may be repeated every three to four hours as needed for discomfort. Do not use Aspirin or Aspirin products for one week following surgery.
If you have been given a prescription for Peridex (Chlorhexidene) mouth rinse, you may find increased staining will occur during its use. These stains can be polished off easily by a hygienist or dentist.
ACTIVITY: After leaving the office, relax for the rest of the day and avoid strenuous activity for 3 to 4 days. When sleeping, elevate your head to decrease swelling. Avoid strenuous activity such as heavy lifting or exercise programs that elevate your heart rate, for one week following surgery, or as directed by your dentist.
DISCOMFORT: Some discomfort is expected when the anesthetic wears off. If postoperative pain medication has been prescribed, take the first pill while the anesthetic is still active so that you will have pain control when the anesthetic wears off.
SWELLING: Swelling may be present the day after surgery is completed. This is totally normal and healthy. Generally, swelling will persist for 72 to 96 hours and then diminish. Swelling can be minimized by placing an ice pack on the face over the surgical area immediately after surgery, and continue for several hours. The ice pack should be alternated on and off in 10 minute intervals. Also, certain medications prescribed to you can aid in reducing swelling in the surgical area.
BLEEDING: There should be minimal bleeding after the surgery is completed. There may be a slight pinkish discoloration to your saliva for several hours, but excessive bleeding is not expected. Should bleeding occur, place a moistened tea bag (not herbal tea) or gauze over the area, and gently apply pressure. It may take several (15-20) minutes before bleeding stops. If there is no change in the amount of bleeding, call Dr. Ickert immediately.
CLEANING THE MOUTH: For the remainder of the day of surgery minimal salt-water rinses may be used. Brush the top of your tongue that day, but do not attempt to brush any of the teeth involved in the surgery. Do not attempt to brush near the gum tissue or use dental floss in the area of the surgery until approved by Dr. Ickert. This will most likely occur after your first postoperative visit. If you have been given a prescription for a mouth rinse, remember to use it twice daily. You will be given additional instructions at your postoperative visits. Do not use Electric Tooth Brushes such as Sonicare, Oral-B Braun or Ultreo, until approved by Dr. Ickert.
EATING AND DRINKING: It is necessary to maintain a relatively normal diet throughout the course of healing. For the first few days, soft foods such as potatoes, cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, and fish can be eaten. Chewing should be done on the opposite side of the surgical site. It may be necessary to stick to liquids for the first few days if chewing is uncomfortable. An increased liquid intake is recommended. Avoid Peroxide, alcohol, carbonated beverages, as well as drinking through a straw. Do not skip meals. If you take nourishment regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort, and heal faster.
PREPARATION OF NUTRITIOUS FOODS:
Eggs (in all forms).
Soups, bouillon, and chowder.
Soft meats, such as meat loaf, canned tuna, salmon, potted meat, finely ground boiled chicken.
Soft pureed vegetables (potatoes, peas, beans, carrots, asparagus, etc.)
Fortified low fat milk, buttermilk, cottage cheese, and yogurt. Protein shakes and meal replacements. SUTURES
RESORBABLE: The resorbable sutures will dissolve on their own, but sometimes we may choose to remove them earlier if they become bothersome. This would not happen prior to 2 weeks post-surgically.
NON-RESORBABLE: If non-resorbable sutures were placed, they may or may not be removed at your post-operative visit. This will depend on the nature of the surgery. Often these very special sutures will remain for four to six weeks.
Click to download our
Immediate Postoperative Care Instructions.
