Post-Operative Care Instructions for ADSC Patients
How you care for the surgical site in the first 48 to 72 hours directly affects healing speed, complication risk, and your comfort level. These instructions apply to common procedures performed at ADSC — extractions, implant placement, bone grafting, periodontal surgery, and root canal treatment. Procedure-specific instructions are also provided by the clinical team at your appointment, tailored to exactly what was done and your individual health factors.
In the first 24 hours: Apply ice packs to the outside of the face (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) to control swelling. Bite gently on gauze placed over the extraction or surgical site for 30 to 45 minutes after the procedure to promote clot formation. Take prescribed medications as directed — pain medication before the anesthetic wears off, antibiotics on schedule if prescribed. Eat soft, cool foods. Drink plenty of water. Avoid hot liquids, straws, spitting, smoking, and vigorous rinsing — all of which can dislodge the blood clot and cause a painful condition called dry socket.
Days 2 through 7: Swelling peaks around day 2 to 3 and then gradually subsides. Switch from ice packs to warm compresses after the first 48 hours. Begin gentle warm saltwater rinses (half teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water) four to five times per day. Continue soft foods and advance your diet as comfort allows. Bruising along the jawline is normal after surgical procedures and resolves within one to two weeks. If sutures were placed, most are the dissolving type and do not require a removal visit. Resume normal brushing away from the surgical site, and use the prescribed mouth rinse if one was provided.
Serving Beaverton, Aloha, Hillsboro & Washington County
Aloha Dental Specialty Center is located at 18455 SW Alexander St, Suite B, in Beaverton, Or Oregon. We serve patients from across the Tualatin Valley and greater Portland metro, including Aloha, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, and Tualatin. Our Beaverton office is a 5-minute drive from Aloha, 10 minutes from Hillsboro, and 15 minutes from Tigard via SW 185th Avenue.
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Intel Campuses (Ronler Acres & Jones Farm)
10 to 15 minutes via NW 185th Ave. We accommodate the schedules of tech professionals who need efficient, high-quality specialty care.
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Nike World Headquarters
About 8 minutes via SW Baseline Rd. We frequently see patients from the Nike campus for surgical and implant procedures with sedation options.
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Streets of Tanasbourne & Orenco Station
Easily accessible via US-26 and NW 185th. Local dentists in these communities regularly refer patients to us for specialty procedures.
Why Local Dentists Refer to Us
We work as a trusted partner to referring dentists throughout the Tualatin Valley.
We handle the procedures within our scope and coordinate closely with your dentist for smooth continuity of care from start to finish.
Office hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM (Thu & Fri until 6 PM), Sat 8 AM–2 PM
Understanding Your Investment
At Aloha Dental Specialty Center, we provide transparent pricing before any treatment begins. The cost of your procedure depends on clinical complexity, materials used, and sedation requirements. We walk you through every line item during your consultation so there are no surprises.
What Affects Cost:
- Clinical Complexity: Bone loss, sinus proximity, nerve involvement, or the need for grafting affects treatment planning and surgical time.
- Materials: We use research-backed implant systems, purified bone graft matrices, and high-strength ceramics from established manufacturers.
- Sedation: Options range from local anesthesia to IV sedation, each with different associated costs. We discuss the best option for your comfort and procedure.
Insurance & Financing
We accept most major dental insurance plans and file claims on your behalf. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment and submits pre-treatment estimates with clinical documentation to maximize coverage.
For out-of-pocket costs, we partner with CareCredit and Cherry for flexible payment plans. We also offer our ADSC Dental Savings Plan for patients without insurance.
Recovery & Healing Timeline
Understanding the healing process helps you plan ahead and follow post-operative instructions for the best possible outcome.
First 48 Hours
Mild swelling and tenderness are normal. Apply ice packs in 20-minute intervals and take prescribed or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Eat soft foods and avoid the surgical site when chewing.
Days 3 to 7
Swelling peaks around day three and then improves. The tissue begins closing over the surgical site. Continue with soft foods and use any prescribed antimicrobial rinse. Most patients return to normal activities during this phase.
Long-Term Healing
Surface tissue heals within two to three weeks. Bone integration and deep healing continue for three to six months. Avoid smoking, follow up as scheduled, and maintain good oral hygiene throughout recovery.
Questions during recovery? Call us at (503) 822-0096. We are available for post-operative concerns.
The Biology of Post-Surgical Healing
Wound healing after oral surgery follows four overlapping phases: hemostasis (blood clot formation within minutes), inflammation (immune response peaking at 48 to 72 hours, causing swelling and discomfort), proliferation (new tissue growth from days 3 through 21), and remodeling (maturation and strengthening of tissue over weeks to months). For implant surgery, osseointegration — the direct bonding of living bone to the titanium implant surface — occurs during the proliferative and remodeling phases over 3 to 6 months. PRF membranes placed during surgery concentrate growth factors at the surgical site, accelerating the proliferative phase and improving bone quality during remodeling.
Why Choose ADSC?
Surgical patients receive a direct after-hours phone number so clinical questions during recovery are answered by a team member — not a voicemail.
While referring office updates documentation is highly effective for the right candidates, there are potential complications to be aware of — including infection risk, temporary discomfort, and in rare cases the need for additional procedures. We discuss all of this before treatment begins.
Your Referring Office Updates Documentation Treatment Steps
- Consultation & Exam: Comprehensive referring office updates documentation evaluation with CBCT 3D imaging at our Beaverton office.
- Treatment Plan: Our experienced dental team discusses your referring office updates documentation options, timeline, and costs. We use advanced 3D imaging and evidence-based protocols across our specialty services.
- Treatment: Procedure performed with comfort options including sedation if needed.
- Follow-Up: Post-treatment monitoring and care coordination for best healing.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Book a consultation with our team at Aloha Dental Specialty Center in Beaverton, OR. Call (503) 822-0096 Office hours: Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM (until 6 PM Thursday and Friday), Saturday 8 AM to 2 PM. or request an appointment online.
Related Services at Aloha Dental Specialty Center:
Dental Implants · Oral Surgery · Root Canal · Invisalign · Periodontics · Pediatric · TMJ Treatment · Sedation · Cosmetic · Emergency · Sleep Apnea
Who is a good candidate? Most patients in good general health qualify for referring office updates documentation. We evaluate your specific situation — including medical history, current medications, and dental condition — during a thorough consultation with CBCT 3D imaging. Factors like uncontrolled diabetes, certain medications, or active infections may require management before proceeding.
For additional clinical information, visit the American Dental Association (ADA).
Last reviewed: March 2026. Clinical information on this page reflects current evidence-based dental practices.
Related Dental Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Discomfort is typically most noticeable in the first 48 hours and improves steadily after that. Most patients manage pain with prescribed medication for 2 to 3 days and transition to over-the-counter ibuprofen by day 4 to 5. Individual experiences vary depending on the procedure and personal pain tolerance.
Soft foods are recommended for the first 3 to 5 days. As comfort improves, gradually introduce firmer foods. Avoid chewing directly on the surgical site until cleared by the doctor. For implant patients, dietary restrictions may continue longer to protect the healing implant.
Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) occurs when the blood clot in an extraction site is dislodged or dissolves prematurely, exposing the underlying bone. It causes severe, throbbing pain typically starting 3 to 5 days after extraction. Avoiding straws, smoking, spitting, and vigorous rinsing in the first 48 hours significantly reduces the risk.
Call immediately if you experience: bleeding that does not stop with firm gauze pressure after 30 minutes, fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit, severe pain not controlled by prescribed medication, worsening swelling after day 3, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or numbness that has not resolved within 24 hours of the expected timeframe.
Yes, but avoid the surgical area for the first 48 hours. Brush all other teeth normally. After 48 hours, gently clean around the surgical site with a soft toothbrush. Use the prescribed mouth rinse if provided.
Swelling typically peaks 48 to 72 hours after surgery and gradually resolves over the following 5 to 7 days. Applying ice packs during the first 48 hours minimizes swelling. Switching to warm compresses after 48 hours helps resolve residual swelling.
Avoid strenuous physical activity for 3 to 5 days after surgery. Improved heart rate and blood pressure increase the risk of bleeding at the surgical site. Light walking is fine starting the day after surgery. Resume normal exercise when the surgical site is no longer tender.
Smoking is strongly discouraged for at least 72 hours — and ideally 2 weeks — after surgery. Smoking constricts blood vessels, reduces oxygen delivery to the healing site, and dramatically increases the risk of dry socket, infection, and implant failure.
Take all prescribed medications as directed. Pain medication should be started before the anesthetic wears off. Antibiotics, if prescribed, must be completed even if you feel fine. Over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) is typically recommended as the primary pain reliever unless contraindicated.
Yes. Bruising (ecchymosis) along the jawline, neck, or cheeks is common after surgical procedures, especially in patients on blood thinners or those who bruise easily. It changes color from purple to yellow-green over 7 to 14 days and resolves on its own.
Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. The doctor examines the healing site, removes any non-dissolving sutures, and confirms that recovery is on track. Additional follow-ups are scheduled as needed based on the procedure.
Recommended soft foods include yogurt, smoothies (no straw), scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, soups (lukewarm, not hot), applesauce, oatmeal, and soft pasta. Avoid crunchy, hard, spicy, and acidic foods until the surgical site has healed.
Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours after surgery, and do not consume alcohol while taking prescription pain medications or antibiotics. Alcohol can interact with medications, increase bleeding risk, and impair healing.
If a suture loosens or falls out within the first week, it is usually not a problem — it means the tissue has healed enough to hold together on its own. If bleeding, swelling, or pain increases after suture loss, call the office for evaluation.
Elevating your head with an extra pillow for the first 2 to 3 nights reduces swelling by decreasing blood flow to the surgical area. Avoid sleeping on the side of the surgery.