Post-Operative Instructions: TMJ
Medication:
Start taking pain medications within 30 minutes after the procedure. It is important that food be eaten with the pain medication to prevent nausea.
If you develop any rash, diarrhea, or another bad reaction because of any medicine that we have given you, stop taking it immediately, and call the office. You may or may not be given a different prescription.
Usually, you should also take 400 mg of ibuprofen and 325 mg of Tylenol® every 6 hours in addition to your other pain medicine. Ask the CWOFS team or your pharmacist if you should not be taking this in addition.
Diet:
You should maintain a soft diet (smoothies, eggs, well-cooked pasta, etc.) for 4 weeks or until you see the doctor.
Physical Therapy (PT):
PT will usually be started about 6 weeks after your TMJ procedure.
Start using your splint at night after your TMJ procedure.
Other:
Use an ice pack on your face to help with swelling — 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 24 hours.
If you have stitches, they may dissolve on their own, or they may need to be removed. Just ask the team if you are unsure.
Take off any bandages about 24 hours after your surgery, and then take a shower to gently clean the area.
Use Bacitracin Antibiotic ointment to cover the surgery site for the first 7 days.
Then use normal petroleum jelly (Vaseline®) for another 2 weeks.
Use sunscreen for 12 months after surgery to prevent darkening of the skin while it is healing.
Normal brushing and flossing are important to keep your mouth clean.
To request a consultation and learn more about our services, please request an appointment now. We look forward to helping you improve your oral health and smile!
