Oral-Maxillofacial and Implant Surgery
Privacy Policy
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Call us at 410-337-7755 to schedule.
[We used to have web scheduling, but we found that patients did not fill out their forms properly and/or check the insurance details appropriately. So we have suspended web scheduling for now].
Our practice is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm. We will schedule your appointment as promptly as possible. If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you that day.
Generally surgical appointments are made in the morning. The afternoon appointments are for consultations, post-operative visits and emergencies. Consultation visits require approximately half to one hour.
We try our best to stay on schedule to minimize your waiting. Due to the fact that our practice provides surgical services, various circumstances may lengthen the time allocated for a procedure. Emergency cases can also arise and cause delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
Please BRING with you the following information at the time of your consultation:
1. Your surgical referral slip and any X-rays if applicable
2. A list of medications you are presently taking
Also, to save time during your appointment, please fill out the following forms ONLINE:
1. Patient Information Form
2. Medical/Dental History
3. HIPAA Privacy Policy and Release of Information [Here is the HIPAA Policy for your review.]
4. Please Email us a FRONT AND BACK copy of your dental insurance card.
Your first appointment at our office will be to review your condition and medical history.
Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern prior to surgery (e.g.diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are currently taking any medication (e.g. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, Fosamax, Actonel, etc.).
Based on your physical condition, treatment options and anesthesia options will be presented. Your surgical appointment and necessary prescriptions as well as preoperative and postoperative instructions will be given at that time. Only occasionally will actual surgery be performed on the day of consultation. Please allow 30-60 minutes for your consultation.
Important: All patients under the age of 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at the consultation visit.
If your dentist or physician has taken x-rays, you may request that they forward them to our office. If there is not enough time, please pick them up and bring them to our office. If additional films are necessary, they can be taken at our facility.
A preoperative consultation and physical examination is mandatory for patients undergoing IV anesthesia for surgery.
Since there are numerous individual plans, Please CONFIRM with your insurance company if Dr. John is in network with your plan prior to any appointment.
Here is the list of Dental Insurance Companies we participate with : [PPO ONLY]
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of: CO, CT, KY, ME, MO, GA, IN, NV, NH, OH,VA, WI, NY, MN
- Blue Cross of CA
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of TX, IL, NM, OK, MT
- Careington insurance and Careington discount plans
- Cigna (Total DPPO plans, not Advantage) (Not Cigna discount plans)
- Freedom Life
- GEHA
- Guardian
- Humana
- Lincoln
- Metlife (PDP PLUS and Federal)
- Teamcare (through Humana)
- United Concordia Elite Plus Only (NOT Advantage Plus, Concordia Advantage or Tricare)
- United Healthcare (Dr. John participates with most PPO plans)
Principal Plan Dental Network
Ameritas (Classic PPO)
Aetna (Dental PPO with PPO II)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (Blue Dental PPO)
Dental Select
First Priority Health
First Priority Life
Highmark Companies
Meritain Health effective 10/01/2021
Physicians Mutual
Standard
Reliance Standard
United Concordia (Elite Plus)
*Dr. John does NOT participate with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland, CareFirst.
PLEASE CONFIRM WITH YOUR INSURANCE IF DR. JOHN IS IN NETWORK PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT!!
Our business office staff is experienced with insurance procedures and can answer most questions regarding billing or insurance coverage. We will give you a fee-for-services Treatment Plan during the initial consultation.
Fees for services are based on the complexity of the treatment, not on what insurance companies allow.
Most communication is via email due to expediency and convenience.
Please remember that you are fully responsible for all fees charged by this office regardless of your insurance coverage.
We accept VISA, Mastercard and Discover credit cards.
We will send you a monthly statement. Most insurance companies will respond within 4-6 weeks. Please call our office if your statement does not reflect payments made by your insurance company during that time period. Any remaining balance after your insurance has paid is your responsibility. Your prompt remittance is appreciated.
After the Consultation, we send an ESTIMATE request to your insurance company for any procedures on the Treatment Plan. Once we hear back from your insurance (which can take 3-4 weeks), we will email you. The estimate amount is collected at the time of Surgery, (including any balance from the Consultation). This is just an ESTIMATE. If the ESTIMATE is not back from your insurance company in time for treatment, 50% of the total Treatment Plan is collected at surgery. HOWEVER, If your dental insurance requires submission to MEDICAL insurance first, the allowed (contracted) amount will be collected in full at surgery. Dr. John is out of network with MEDICAL plans. Due to discrepancies in medical payment and lack of communication back to us from medical insurance companies, once you file and hear back from the MEDICAL insurance , forward the Explanation of Benefits to us and we will file the DENTAL insurance for you. If there is any over-payment after all insurances are settled, we will refund the excess payment.
After the Consultation, (for all plans except BCBS of MD/CareFirst) we send an ESTIMATE request to your insurance company for any procedures on the Treatment Plan. Once we hear back from your insurance (which can take 3-4 weeks), we will email you. The estimate amount is collected at the time of Surgery, (including any balance from the Consultation). This is just an ESTIMATE. If the ESTIMATE is not back from your insurance company in time for treatment, 100% of the total Treatment Plan amount is collected at the time of the procedure.
If there is any over-payment after all insurances are settled, we will refund the excess payment.
For UNINSURED patients, 100% is due at the time of the surgery.
Since we do not participate with any medical insurances, 100% will be due at the surgery and you can to file your insurance. We will give you all the necessary Diagnosis and Treatment Codes after the surgery is completed.
If you have Medicaid or Medicare, you CANNOT file a claim.
If you are interested in obtaining financial help for procedures, please visit the Care Credit website.
Existing patients can login to our Patient Portal where they can view scheduled appointments, treatment plan and account balance. Email us to get the user id and password
APPOINTMENT:
Please arrive 15 minutes before any surgery.
LOCAL ANESTHESIA (numbing only) or NITROUS OXIDE:
Eat and take all medications as usual (especially diabetics).
You may drive and come alone unless instructed otherwise.
I.V. ANESTHESIA or ORAL SEDATION:
Have NO food or drink after midnight.
Have an escort to remain in the office during your treatment, to drive you home, and to attend to you until fully recovered from the anesthetic. This may take the entire day.
Diabetics on insulin – follow specific instructions given regarding insulin use and food.
If you have albuterol, bring it with you to the procedure.
If you have an illness such as a cold, cough, sore throat etc. please notify the office immediately. Your procedure may need to be rescheduled.
MEDICATIONS/PRE-MEDICATIONS:
If directed, take antibiotic TWO hours prior to surgery or as directed.
If directed, take Benadryl TWO hours prior to surgery (only for IV sedation)
Take ALL routine PRESCRIPTION medicines least TWO hours prior to the surgery, unless instructed otherwise.
Please make sure you have Benadryl 25mg tabs, Ibuprofen 200mg tabs and Tylenol 500mg tabs at home.
If directed, rinse with Peridex mouth rinse two DAYS prior to the surgery.
CLOTHING (for IV Anesthesia/Oral Sedation):
Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing with short sleeves, eg. T-shirt.
Contact lenses and jewelry must be removed.
Do not wear finger nail polish or acrylic nails, as it interferes with our sensors.
BLEEDING
No spitting or rinsing your mouth for 2 days. These can cause bleeding.
Bleeding is normal for 24 hours and will increase with talking and general activity.
Bite on MOIST gauze for 20 minutes at a time and change until bleeding stops.
If bleeding continues or is increasing, place a moist tea bag (not herbal) directly over surgical site and bite down for 1 hour. Repeat as needed.
PAIN MANAGEMENT/MEDICINE
After something cold and soft to eat, like a milkshake or yogurt, take pain medicine as directed.
600mg Ibuprofen AND 500mg Tylenol every 6 hours. Start this regimen 3 hours after the procedure and take it for 2 days. After that you can take them as needed. We do NOT routinely prescribe narcotics.
If nauseated, take 25 mg of Benadryl to settle the stomach.
Take antibiotic if directed. If rash or itching develops, stop taking antibiotic, take 25 mg of Benadryl and call the office.
ICE
Apply ice pack to face (20 min. on 20 min. off) for 24 hours to control bleeding, pain and swelling.
FOOD/DIET
Eat cold, soft foods until numbness wears off to avoid biting your lip or tongue.
No hard, crunchy foods for 2 weeks. Refer to diet sheet for food suggestions.
Avoid chewing on surgical site for at least 1 week while area is healing.
Avoid straws for 2 days.
ORAL HYGIENE
Brushing with a soft bristled, manual toothbrush may be resumed the day following surgery, being careful to avoid the surgical site.
You may gently rinse with water only, but do not swish vigorously to protect the surgical site
If instructed, one week after the procedure, gently rinse with warm salt water twice daily for one week. [ 1 cup warm water + 1 tsp salt]
EXERCISE
No exercise or heavy lifting for 3-4 days, or as directed
SWELLING/BRUISING
Swelling and bruising are normal following surgery and can peak on day 3 then start to dissipate
Bruising is possible, especially if patient is on blood thinners
SMOKING/MUSCLE SPASM
If pain increases or is referred to the ear on day 4-5, you may have a muscle spasm. Apply a COLD pack to the side of the face and take Motrin to reduce discomfort
Smoking delays healing, avoid for 1 week following surgical procedures
IF HEALING CAP PLACED (in addition to General Instructions):
Continue rinsing with Peridex twice a day for one week.
Do not brush healing cap for 2 weeks until gum tissue has healed.
Do not use floss or WaterPik around the implant for one week
SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
Fever, chills, sour taste of pus, swelling that worsens after the third day, bleeding after the second day.
If you notice any of these signs, call the office.
1. BLEEDING/SWELLING/BRUISING
Bleeding is normal for 1-2 days and will increase with talking and general activity.
Bite on MOIST gauze for 20 minutes at a time and change until bleeding stops. Pressure stops ALL oral bleeding (unless you have a medical cause for bleeding). The key is to put pressure directly on the surgical site.
Swelling and bruising are normal following surgery and can peak on day 3 then start to dissipate.
Bruising is possible, especially if patient is on blood thinners.
Apply ice pack to face (20 min. on 20 min off) for 1-2 days to control bleeding, pain and swelling.
2. PAIN MANAGEMENT
There are several different kinds of pain:
(Any recommendation of drugs here is generic and should be followed only on the instruction of Dr. John.)
​ | What it is | Symptoms | Onset/duration | Management |
a. Post-operative Pain: | Pain because of the surgery and is proportional to the surgery. Each person and every surgical site is different. | Pain directly over the surgical site | Starts soon after numbness wears off and can last up to a week depending on the surgery. It is the worst on days 1-3 | 600mg Ibuprofen PLUS 500mg Tylenol every 6 hours (with food) for 3 days scheduled, and after that as needed. |
b. Dry Socket | Excruciating pain that worsens with cold water/cold air | Usually seen 2-5 days post op | Don’t spit, rinse, swish, or smoke. Take ibuprofen 600-800mg every 6 hours (with food) | |
c. Muscle Pain | ​ | Vague, achy pain over the entire side of the face including opposing jaw, head and neck. Difficulty to open the mouth wide. | Starts 3-5 days post op. Lasts 2 weeks | Ibuprofen 600-800mg every 6-8 hours (with food). Use a COLD pack + gentle massage. Relax the muscles. Stop strenuous activities. |
d. Food/Infection | If food is stuck in the socket and not cleaned, you can develop an infection. | Progressively worsening pain, with facial swelling, fevers, sour taste of pus | Usually the 4-5 day onward. | Maintain appropriate oral care If your face swells past the 3-4 day and you taste pus from that site, call the office. LONG TERM: avoid popcorn-like food, small nuts, seeds for TWO MONTHS to avoid food-related infection. |
e. Ulcers | These are related to stress, called Aphthous Ulcers | Appear as small white/red circles and are very painful | Can start any time after the surgery Every ulcer lasts for a week | For symptomatic relief, you can apply over-the-counter oragel on the ulcers. |
f. Throbbing | This is the result of increased blood flow to the surgical site. The body is trying to heal. | Pain related to your heartbeat | 1-3 days post op, but can happen anytime | Avoid any exertion. Apply an icepack to that side of the face. Keep the head elevated. |
g. Sore Throat | This is normal after sedation since we sometimes suction the airway | ​ | Usually for 1 day after sedation, but should be managed with the ongoing pain meds. | If it lasts longer or is associated with fever, then contact your PCP. |
3. FOOD/DIET
Eat cold, soft foods until numbness wears off to avoid biting your lip or tongue.
No hard, crunchy foods for 2-3 weeks and avoid popcorn-like foods for 2 months. Refer to diet sheet for food suggestions.
Avoid chewing on surgical site for at least 1 week while area is healing.
Avoid straws for 1 week.
4. ORAL CARE
ONE day after the procedure:
- Start brushing with a soft-bristled, manual toothbrush being careful to avoid the surgical site.
- Gentle rinses with warm salt-water twice a day for two weeks (1 cup water + 1 tsp salt)
FIVE days after the procedure:
- brush the teeth adjacent to the surgical site gently and well.
- use the syringe with a curved tip and wash out the LOWER sites every night (with warm or cold or salt water) until the gums close (usually 2-3 weeks). Make sure that the TIP of the syringe goes INSIDE the empty socket as you are washing it out. Food debris need to be washed out and careful hygiene maintained to avoid infection.
5. EXERCISE/GENERAL
a. No exercise or strenous activity for 1 week
b. Night guard/Retainer can be worn once the bleeding stops.
c. Do not look at the surgical site. Each time you pull your cheek to look at it, you could loosen the sutures.
Typically, sutures dissolve in 7 days. If sutures loosen or fall out sooner than expected, it is okay. Continue to make sure not to disturb the site. If a suture hangs loose, feel free to take a little scissor and snip the part that is hanging, or wait for it to eventually fall off.
d. For various reasons, the surgical site keeps changing color as it heals - white, red, purple, pink. All of this is normal. (See below for signs of infection to watch for).
e. If nauseated, take 25 mg of Benadryl to settle the stomach.
f. If rash or itching develops with any medicine, stop the medicine, take 25 mg Benadryl and call the office.
g. if you have been told that there is a Sinus Exposure, you may have bleeding from the nose on that side.
Do not blow your nose or sneeze through your nose. If you have to sneeze, open your mouth wide
Use the nasal spray and antibiotics as directed.
SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
Fever, chills, sour taste of pus, swelling that worsens after the third day, heavy bleeding after the second day. (Bad taste and smell of inadequate oral hygiene is expected during the first week)
If you notice any of these signs, call the office.
1. BLEEDING/SWELLING/BRUISING
Bleeding is normal for 1-2 days and will increase with talking and general activity.
Bite on MOIST gauze for 20 minutes at a time and change until bleeding stops. Pressure stops ALL oral bleeding (unless you have a medical cause for bleeding). The key is to put pressure directly on the surgical site.
Swelling and bruising are normal following surgery and can peak on day 3 then start to dissipate.
Bruising is possible, especially if patient is on blood thinners.
Apply ice pack to face (20 min. on 20 min off) for 1-2 days to control bleeding, pain and swelling.
2. PAIN MANAGEMENT
There are several different kinds of pain:
(Any recommendation of drugs here is generic and should be followed only on the instruction of Dr. John.)
​ | What it is | Symptoms | Onset/duration | Management |
a. Post-operative Pain: | Pain because of the surgery and is proportional to the surgery | Pain directly over the surgical site | Starts soon after numbness wears off and can last up to a week depending on the surgery. It is the worst on days 1-3 | 600mg Ibuprofen PLUS 500mg Tylenol every 6 hours (with food) for 3 days scheduled, and after that as needed. |
b. Dry Socket | Excruciating pain that worsens with cold water/cold air | Usually seen 2-5 days post op | Don’t spit, rinse, swish, or smoke. Take ibuprofen 600-800mg every 6 hours (with food) | |
c. Muscle Pain | ​ | Vague pain over the entire side of the face including opposing jaw, head and neck | Starts 3-5 days post op and Lasts 2 weeks | Ibuprofen 600-800mg every 6-8 hours (with food). Use a COLD pack + gentle massage. Relax the muscles. Stop strenuous activities. |
d. Food/Infection | If food is stuck in the socket and not cleaned, you can develop an infection. | Progressively worsening pain, with facial swelling, fevers, sour taste of pus | Usually the 4-5 day onward. | Maintain appropriate oral care If your face swells past the 3-4 day and you taste pus from that site, call the office. |
e. Ulcers | These are related to stress, called Aphthous Ulcers | Appear as small white/red circles and are very painful | Can start any time after the surgery Every ulcer lasts for a week | For symptomatic relief, you can apply over-the-counter oragel on the ulcers. |
f. Throbbing | This is the result of increased blood flow to the surgical site. The body is trying to heal. | Pain related to your heartbeat | 1-3 days post op, but can happen anytime | Avoid any exertion. Apply an icepack to that side of the face. Keep the head elevated. |
​g. Sore Throat | This is normal after sedation since we sometimes suction the airway | ​ | Usually for 1 day after sedation, but should be managed with the ongoing pain meds. | If it lasts longer or is associated with fever, then contact your PCP. |
3. FOOD/DIET
Eat cold, soft foods until numbness wears off to avoid biting your lip or tongue.
No hard, crunchy foods for 2-3 weeks and avoid popcorn-like foods for 2 months. Refer to diet sheet for food suggestions.
Avoid chewing on surgical site for at least 1 week while area is healing.
Avoid straws for 1 week.
4. ORAL CARE
ONE day after the procedure:
- Start brushing with a soft-bristled, manual toothbrush being careful to avoid the surgical site.
- Gentle rinses with warm salt-water twice a day for two weeks (1 cup water + 1 tsp salt)
FIVE days after the procedure:
- brush the teeth adjacent to the surgical site gently and well.
- Food debris need to be washed out GENTLY and careful hygiene maintained to avoid infection.
5. EXERCISE/GENERAL
a. No exercise or strenuous activity for 1 week
b. Night guard/Retainer can be worn once the bleeding stops.
c. Do not look at the surgical site. Each time you pull your cheek to look at it, you could loosen the sutures.
Typically, sutures dissolve in 7 days. If sutures loosen or fall out sooner than expected, it is okay. Continue to make sure not to disturb the site. If a suture hangs loose, feel free to take a little scissor and snip the part that is hanging, or wait for it to eventually fall off.
d. For various reasons, the surgical site keeps changing color as it heals - white, red, purple, pink. All of this is normal. (See below for signs of infection to watch for).
e. If nauseated, take 25 mg of Benadryl to settle the stomach.
f. If rash or itching develops with any medicine, stop the medicine, take 25 mg Benadryl and call the office.
g. if you have been told that there is a Sinus Exposure, you may have bleeding from the nose on that side.
Do not blow your nose or sneeze through your nose. If you have to sneeze, open your mouth wide.
Use the nasal spray and antibiotics as directed.
If BONE GRAFT PLACED (in addition to General Instructions):
There can be an altered taste due to the bone graft or membrane material.
The gums usually takes 3 weeks to completely close up.
UNTIL THEN:
- Do not chew sticky, sharp or hard foods on that area – the bone graft can come out.
- Avoid any commercial mouth rinses (eg. Listerine)
- Avoid electric toothbrushes and water piks around the surgical site.
- No swimming
SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
Fever, chills, sour taste of pus, swelling that worsens after the third day, heavy bleeding after the second day. (Bad taste and smell of inadequate oral hygiene is expected during the first week)
If you notice any of these signs, call the office.
OSTEONECROSIS
Rarely, especially in older patients, extraction of lower back teeth can result in exposed bone below the tongue. (It will feel like sandpaper). When it occurs, it happens 4-6 weeks after the procedure. This is not directly related to the extraction site. There is no surgical treatment for it. We have to wait for the gums to naturally cover over the exposed bone, which may take a few weeks.
If you use a CPAP, you are free to use it after the bleeding stops - usually the 2nd or 3rd day post op (unless specific instructions were given not to use it).
If you have a Nightguard/retainer, you are free to use it after the bleeding stops - usually the 2nd or 3rd day post op.
Do not drive for 24-48 hours
For the first day, use assistance when walking, going up the stairs or to the restroom etc.
Delay bathing until the following day
No alcohol for 24-48 hours
If you develop itching or rashes from any medicine, take 25mg of Benadryl and call the office. If you develop swelling of the face and throat, go to an emergency room immediately.
Postoperative Diet Recommendations Most food should be soft enough to swallow without chewing or should be cut into small pieces to minimize the need for chewing. The following suggestions may be helpful: SOFT FOODS: Cereal – Cooked breakfast cereals, cream of wheat, oatmeal Bread – pancakes, soft bread, soft inner portion of bread or roll Cheese¬ – cream cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt Eggs Fruit – Applesauce, ripe banana, melon Meats – Fish and most seafood, ground meat, pulled pork Potatoes – baked, mashed, sweet potatoes Pasta – noodles with any sauce, meat sauce, cheese sauce Soups Vegetables – well cooked vegetables Dessert – ice cream, custard, sherbet, Jell-O, pudding Beverages – almost any, smoothies, milkshakes AVOID: Sandwiches, bagels, sub sandwiches, toast, crackers, pretzels, Burritos Hard crusted bread Salads, raw vegetables, crunchy fruit like apples nuts, raisins, seeds Popcorn Jellybeans, hard candies, chewing gum Grits Rice
After your dentist restores the implant with a crown, extreme maintenance should to be done to protect your implant.
The most common reasons for failure of an implant are:
Improper oral hygiene. Maintain excellent oral hygiene. Brush and floss just like any other tooth. Even though the crown won’t get decayed, lack of good hygiene can cause bone loss around the implant and eventual failure of the implant. Visit your dentist every 6 months or as needed and follow oral hygiene instructions carefully.
Smoking. We highly encourage smoking cessation. Implants are an investment and you dont want to ruin your investment by smoking. Dr. John has many patients that have permanently quit smoking at the time of implants. It is possible!
Uncontrolled immunosuppressive diseases, eg. Diabetes etc; or Immunosuppressive medications, eg. For rheumatoid arthritis etc.
Bruxism/Clenching. If you are prone to clench or grind your teeth, we highly recommend getting a bite guard (night guard) to protect your implants. Talk to your dentist about it.
If you are an existing patient and want to make a payment: