Oral surgery
See how evaluation, procedure planning and referral decisions fit together.
Read the guide →Your written instructions come first
Tooth extraction recovery and aftercare
This guide provides general education for planning. The instructions from the clinician who treated you take priority because aftercare varies with the procedure, anesthesia, medical history and medications. If you have a concern, call that office.
Protect the blood clot
The clot that forms in the socket supports early healing. Keep pressure on gauze exactly as directed. Avoid forceful rinsing, spitting, straws, smoking, vaping and touching the site for the period specified by your clinician. A small amount of oozing can occur; persistent bleeding needs a call.
Eat and drink according to your instructions
Choose foods and temperatures recommended by the treating team, chew away from the site and drink enough fluid unless a medical professional has restricted fluids. Avoid foods that can injure or lodge in the area. Follow fasting and driving rules if sedation was used.
Keep the mouth clean without disturbing the site
Continue cleaning unaffected teeth as instructed. The team will tell you when and how to clean near the socket and whether to begin gentle salt-water or prescribed rinses. More aggressive cleaning is not better during early healing.
Know what needs a call
Call for bleeding that does not slow with instructed pressure, severe or increasing pain or swelling, fever, pus or worsening bad taste, inability to drink, medication reaction, new persistent numbness, or any symptom the clinician told you to report. Severe pain several days later can be a sign of dry socket.
Use emergency medical care for life-threatening symptoms
Call 911 for trouble breathing or swallowing, severe facial or neck swelling affecting the airway, loss of consciousness or another life-threatening emergency. Website forms are not monitored for urgent symptoms.
Prepare for each stage
Explore oral surgery and recovery
Dental bone grafting
Understand graft goals, materials, staging and healing.
Read the guide →Tooth extractions
Review reasons, approaches, replacement planning and aftercare.
Read the guide →Wisdom tooth removal
Learn when wisdom teeth may be monitored, removed or referred.
Read the guide →Make the next step explicit
Questions are part of recovery
If your symptoms or instructions are unclear, contact the treating office rather than relying on a generic timeline.
Patient information →Confirm provider and office
Procedure, clinician, anesthesia and appointment availability may vary. Contact the selected office before traveling. A request is not a confirmed appointment.
Contact the office →Margate · Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Start with your preferred office
Confirm the treating clinician, the services available and where each surgical or restorative appointment will take place.
Margate
100 FL-7, Suite 300, Margate, FL 33063(954) 532-127402 / YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
236 Commercial Boulevard, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308(954) 568-8928Call to confirm current hours, availability and services at this office.
Your questions, answered
How long will recovery take?
There is no universal timeline. It depends on the tooth, procedure, health and complications. Ask the treating clinician what to expect for your case.
What is dry socket?
It is a painful condition that can occur when the socket’s protective blood clot is lost or does not form properly. Contact the treating office for evaluation.
Should I stop my medicines?
Do not change prescribed medicines on your own. Follow the coordinated directions of the treating clinician and prescribing professional.
Connected care
Explore general and urgent care
General and preventive dentistry
Build an individualized plan for exams, prevention and follow-up.
Read the guide →Dental cleanings and exams
Understand the different roles of an examination and professional cleaning.
Read the guide →Night guards for teeth grinding
Learn how an appliance may protect teeth and where its limits apply.
Read the guide →Oral cancer screening
Know what a brief oral cancer examination checks and what follows a finding.
Read the guide →Emergency dentistry
Know when to call the dental office and when to seek emergency medical care.
Read the guide →Get ready for your visit
Organize your paperwork, questions and next steps.
Independent patient resources
General education does not replace the instructions, examination or recommendation of the treating clinician.