If you are pregnant, you can still go for dental treatment although invasive procedures are best avoided in the first 3 months and last 3 months of pregnancy. The doctor will be able to advise you.

Certain medications may pass through the placenta or into breast milk. Do let us know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding so that the doctors can advise you accordingly.

The radiation dose from dental x-rays are low compared to medical x-rays. However, we do advise you not to take any x-rays unless necessary. If you need to, there are lead aprons and shields that will protect your fetus from x-ray radiation.

According to AHA Guidelines, only those with the following require antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatment:

• A prosthetic heart valve or a heart valve repaired with prosthetic material.
• A history of endocarditis.
• A heart transplant with abnormal heart valve function.
• Certain congenital heart defects including:
  • Cyanotic congenital heart disease (birth defect with oxygen levels lower than normal), that has not been fully repaired, including children who have had surgical shunts and conduits.
  • A congenital heart defect that has been completely repaired with prosthetic material or a device for the first six months after the repair procedure.
  • Repaired congenital heart disease with residual defects, such as persisting leaks or abnormal flow at or adjacent to a prosthetic patch or prosthetic device.

If you are not sure what heart condition you have, do have a check with your cardiologist and he/she will be able to advise you accordingly. For more information, please visit www.heart.org

You need to fast because we want to prevent vomiting under sedation which will complicate the procedure and endanger your airway.

You will wake up a few minutes after the medication is stopped. However, you are advised to rest in our recovery room for at least half an hour to ensure you are fully awake before returning home.

If you are taking aspirin, you do not have to stop the medication. However, if you have been advised by your doctor to stop aspirin, you should do so 5 days before the procedure and resume taking it 1 day after the procedure.

If you are taking warfarin and/or other blood thinners, you are advised to consult your physician before the surgery.

With anaesthesia, there will be no pain during the surgery. If you experience pain during the procedure, please let the doctor know.

Expect some pain, bleeding and swelling after surgery. Pain will be well-controlled with the painkillers prescribed to you.

Expect some bleeding on the first day of surgery. Bleeding should be minimal by the next day.

Swelling will usually start the following day. Swelling will be at its maximum on the 2nd day after surgery. To decrease swelling, you are advised to place an ice pack on the your cheek on the side of surgery. Do this for the first 2 days. You can place a warm pack on the 4th day after surgery to make the swelling decrease faster.

Yes. You can have surgery during menstruation or if you have a mild flu. However if you are feeling unwell, you may choose to delay your surgery at your own discretion.

Swelling from wisdom teeth and implant surgery will last for about a week. For other procedures, this may last slightly longer.

To decrease swelling faster, you are advised to take the anti-inflammatory medication prescribed to you. You can also place a cold pack on the site of surgery immediately after surgery and the day after.

Do not use cold packs after the third day of surgery, as this will delay recovery. Instead, place a warm pack on the surgery site. This will help the swelling to subside faster.

Swelling at the area after surgery can sometimes mimic numbness. Do not worry, but do let your doctor know on the day of your review.

Fever is defined as body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius or 99.5 Fahrenheit.

Fever is a natural response of our body during healing. The medication prescribed for you will decrease your temperature. If the fever is persistent despite medication, do contact your doctor.

Sometimes the procedure that you undergo may involve the nose and/or sinuses, hence the nasal bleed.

The bleeding is usually self-limiting. If it persists, place a gauze at the nostrils, gently press against the nostrils and wait for bleeding to stop.

DO NOT blow your nose.

After extraction or surgery, you are advised to bite on a piece of gauze for 30-40 minutes. Bleeding should have stopped after this time.

If the gauze appears bright red upon removal, you are advised to place a new gauze at the same site and bite for another 30-40 minutes.

If the gauze appears partially white, pink or dull red, it probably indicates that the bleeding has stopped. You can dispose of the gauze and there will not be a need to replace the gauze.

Bleeding will stop in about 15 mins upon compression of the wound. However, you are advised to bite on the gauze for 30-40 mins.

You might still see some blood stains when you rinse your mouth and during brushing. This is normal.

During an extraction or surgery, there will be inflammation around the tissues where the procedure was. This inflammation affects the surrounding tissues and teeth, making the area more sensitive than usual.

This will resolve in a few days to weeks.

Dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is a painful, post-extraction condition that is experienced in some patients about 3 days after procedure. Patients at risk include smokers, females on oral contraceptives, difficult extraction etc. If you suspect you might have dry socket, do contact us and we will arrange an appointment to see you as soon as possible.

Allergic reactions to medication can manifest as rashes or hives throughout the body. Some patients experience swelling around the eyes and lips. If you experience any of the above, please contact us.

If you have breathing difficulty due to swollen tongue/throat, go to the A&E Department in any hospital immediately.

Not all procedures require antibiotics. Your doctor will advise you accordingly.

If you are taking aspirin, you do not have to stop the medication. However, if you have been advised by your doctor to stop aspirin, you should do so 5 days before the procedure and resume taking it 1 day after the procedure.

If you are taking warfarin and/or other blood thinners, you are advised to consult your physician before the surgery.

Extractions 1-2 days

Wisdom teeth/Implant surgeries 5-8 days

Jaw Surgery 30-60 days

It depends on the procedure you are undergoing. You may return to work the following day if an extraction is done.

You are advised to rest about 5 days if a surgical procedure was carried out.

You are advised to eat soft, cool foods for the first few days as hard and hot foods can cause bleeding post-surgery.

You can usually start eating normally 3-4 days after the procedure.

You can brush your teeth after normal extractions.

For surgical procedures, it is best to avoid brushing the wound and use the mouthwash as instructed.

You are advised to avoid strenuous activities for the first 3-5 days after surgery.

If you have a sinus surgery, it is best to avoid exercise for 2 weeks.

Ideally, you are advised to travel only after your review with your doctor. That would usually be about 5 days after surgery.

If you have undergone a sinus procedure, it is advised that you should avoid flying for about a week.

You are advised to put on your braces about 2-3 days after extractions and 1 week after your surgery.