Pre-Op Instructions - Bozeman, MT

You must provide a complete list of all your medications, including supplements, and tell us about any medical conditions. Blood thinners need to be adjusted or discontinued before surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can impact healing and lead to longer recovery. Special precautions need to be taken if you have uncontrolled diabetes, an autoimmune disorder, cardiovascular disease, or osteoporosis because these diseases can make dental implant surgery more challenging.

If you’re undergoing IV sedation, the guidelines for fasting are similar to general anesthesia. You can’t eat or drink anything for six to eight hours before surgery because sedation impairs your body’s reflexes. If you become nauseous during the procedure and your stomach isn’t empty, this may cause you to vomit or regurgitate food into your lungs, potentially causing breathing problems. However, you may be allowed to drink a small amount of water to swallow a pill for oral sedation or other essential medication. If you’ve opted for local anesthesia only, a light meal is permitted up to two hours before dental implant surgery.

Both smoking and alcohol use can inhibit the healing process and increase your risk of post-surgical complications. You should refrain from drinking alcohol during the week of surgery because it can cause bleeding complications. Smoking and chewing tobacco increase the risk of peri-implantitis, an inflammatory process similar to gum disease that can infect your dental implant sites and cause failure. Smoking also decreases oxygen levels in your blood, thereby impairing healing and leading to prolonged recovery. While we prefer that you quit smoking as far ahead of surgery as possible, a minimum of 72 hours before surgery is required.

Proper oral hygiene is important to reduce the risk of postsurgical infection and peri-implantitis. Dr. Hall may advise you to use an antibacterial mouthwash a few days before your procedure as a preventive measure to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria. The cleaner your mouth is, the less risk of postoperative complications, so brush and floss before your scheduled implant procedure in Bozeman, MT.

We strive to deliver a comfortable surgical experience, and you can play an integral role in ensuring your comfort. We recommend you wear loose and comfortable clothing, leave any jewelry at home, and avoid wearing makeup, lotions, lip balm, and perfume. If you wear contact lenses, it’s preferred that you don’t wear them and bring eyeglasses instead to wear after recovery.

If you rely on any medical devices (e.g., CPAP), please discuss this with our team beforehand so we can determine the best course of action. If you receive sedation, a designated adult needs to drive you home because sedative side effects can linger up to 24 hours.

Dr. Hall will provide guidelines on managing pain and discuss IV sedation before your scheduled surgery. Understanding the implications of prescribed medications and following our instructions meticulously is vital to safely managing discomfort and experiencing a complication-free recovery.

In many cases, over-the-counter pain medication is sufficient to alleviate postsurgical pain. Still, we’ll likely prescribe stronger pain medication to pick up before surgery, should you need it. In most cases, antibiotics (other than mouthwash) aren’t taken before surgery unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Before implant surgery at Gallatin Valley Surgical Arts, we recommend stocking on soft foods, ice packs, and a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid irritating your incision site(s) when you resume brushing. After your procedure, it’s important to follow dietary restrictions recommended by Dr. Hall, most notably eating a soft diet to prevent anything from interfering with the healing process. In addition, you shouldn’t plan to resume any heavy exercise or physical activity for 24–48 hours post-surgery.

If you received full-mouth dental implants or implant-supported dentures in Bozeman, MT, research has shown that occlusal overload (the force or pressure when your upper and lower teeth meet) is a leading cause of implant failure. Sticking to soft, cold foods and liquids will promote healing, minimize discomfort, and help prevent complications.