Surgical Instructions
Jaw Fractures
For patients in IMF (jaws wired together)
Diet
You will be restricted to a liquid or pureed diet. This requires that you eat multiple meals throughout the day. A recipe book is available through the office to give you ideas about meal preparation. Many patients will lose 10-20 pounds during the 6 weeks of fixation.
Pain
You will be prescribed liquid pain medication to be used as needed. In addition, 200mg tablets of ibuprofen (non-coated) can be crushed and taken in 600mg doses every 6 hours.
Antibiotics
Take antibiotics as instructed until gone. Call the office to report any adverse reactions.
Headaches
Many patients will experience muscle spasms and headaches for the first several days that they are wired together. Warm moist compresses (heat a damp towel in the microwave) and ibuprofen will provide relief.
The Archwires/Wire Loops
The wires and braces inside your mouth are irregular and they may cut or irritate the inside of your lips or cheeks. To prevent this from happening you can apply soft orthodontic wax to sharp or protruding edges. This wax should be changed daily.
The wires and braces can be very difficult to keep clean. Use a combination of rinsing with Peridex and brushing with a small toothbrush to clean trapped food and debris from the wires. The cleaner you keep things, the less soreness and bleeding in the gum tissue.
If wires loosen or break, contact the office as soon as possible to have things checked and wires replaced. Do not cut wires yourself. If you should feel nauseous or vomit try and remain calm. Remember, everything you have eaten or drank went in through the wires and can get out the same way. Sit upright with your head leaning forward to facilitate drainage and prevent aspiration.
For patients with rigid fixation (plating) without wiring
Diet
Maintain a soft, no chew diet for 6 weeks or until you are told otherwise. A good rule of thumb is that you can eat anything you can easily break apart with a fork. Multiple smaller meals throughout the day will help alleviate hunger. Make sure you get plenty of fluids.
Pain
You will be prescribed pain medication. Take ibuprofen 600m (200mg tablets x 3) every six hours, and use prescription pain medication as needed following instructions on the bottle. Call the office to report any adverse reactions. Pain normally tapers off after 5-7 days.
Antibiotics
Take any prescribed antibiotics as directed until the prescription is finished. Call the office to report any adverse reactions.
Swelling
Swelling will usually peak 48 hours after surgery. Use ice packs for 48 hours to minimize swelling. You can then switch to warm/moist heat to alleviate muscle tightness.
Oral Care
You will have stitches in your mouth at the incision sites. These stitches normally loosen and fall out on their own after 10 days. Keep the surgical site clean by rinsing with PerioGuard as directed. You may brush your teeth gently, avoiding incision lines. If sutures are loose or bothersome, we will remove them at your post op visit.
Post Operative Care
All fracture patients are normally seen every 1-3 weeks to monitor their progress. Removable fixation devices, braces and wires are normally removed after 6 weeks.
