Patient Resources
New Patients
Welcome! We are so glad you have decided to be a part of the Devoted Dentistry family. Like any family, we take care of each other. By being prepared with necessary paperwork and medical information, we will be able to take excellent care of you beginning with your very first visit. Please complete this New Patient Information Form, and come prepared to discuss your medical history and all medications you are currently taking. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.
New Patient Information Form
Notice of Privacy Practices
Insurance
We accept most all insurance companies and are happy to file on your behalf. We are a preferred provider in Delta Dental Premier, Cigna PPO, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN. If you do not have dental insurance please ask about our Devoted Dentistry Membership Club, start saving money today!
Payment Options
We gladly accept major credit cards, cash, or check payments. Payment is due at the time of your service unless other arrangements have been previously made with our office manager. Please see April with any payment inquiries.
Instructions for Surgical Procedures Requiring Oral Sedation or IV Conscious Sedation
Patients should refrain from eating or drinking for 6 hours prior to their appointment time.
The patient will need a licensed driver to transport them to and from their appointment. The patient should not drive, operate machinery, make important decisions, or do anything requiring their responsibility for 24 hours following the sedation.
Patients may not smoke for at least 12 hours prior to their appointment time. For the best results of any dental procedure, smoking should be stopped entirely.
If you are taking any medications, please inform Dr. Dillingham of during your initial consultation.
Please wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes and flat shoes to your appointment. Please also refrain from wearing lipstick or nail polish.
If you are feeling sick at all on the day of your dental procedure, please notify Dr. Dillingham or his staff.
Pre Surgery – What to Expect
For Surgical Extraction, Wisdom Tooth Extraction, Implant, Bone Grafting
When you arrive for your appointment, a member of our friendly staff will seat you in a treatment room. They will ask you to use the restroom, as we do not want you to get up to use the restroom while sedated. Dr. Dillingham will review your medical history with you to determine any changes since your previous visit. He will then administer sedation medication through an IV placed in your arm. When a safe level of sedation is achieved, Dr. Dillingham will begin your procedure. You will be continuously monitored during your procedure to insure you are at a safe and effective level of sedation. When the procedure is complete, your recovery will begin. Where we will monitor you until you are safe to be discharged. It will then be safe to use a wheelchair to transport you to your loved ones. You will still be drowsy for a few hours after the procedure. Dr. Dillingham or a member of our team, will discuss the procedure with the person/s accompanying you, and give them any post surgical instructions. Our staff will wheel you out to the car and release you into the care of your escort.
Post Surgery – What is normal?
Surgical Extraction
*After the removal of one or multiple teeth, a small amount of bleeding is expected and normal. Patients may place a gauze pad over the bleeding area where the tooth was extracted and bite gently for 30 minutes. Patients should avoid exercise and hot liquids and foods until bleeding subsides. If bleeding does not stop or becomes severe, please call our office.
*Swelling is normal after the removal of teeth, and ice packs should be applied to the outside of the cheek on the affected side of the face continuously (20 minutes on 20 minutes off) while awake during the first 36 hours. Swelling will likely be at its most severe 3-6 days after the extractions, and should begin to subside thereafter.
*Drink plenty of water the day of surgery, at least 6 cups, and eat only soft foods.
*Do not rinse your mouth on the day of the procedure. The next day begin rinsing with warm saltwater (1/4 teaspoon of salt mixed with 8 ounces of water) after eating.
*Follow the medication regimen given to you by Dr. Dillingham at the time of the procedure. While every patient and procedure is different, patients will generally be given either a prescription for pain medication, or instructions to take over the counter pain medication. Do not take any medication that you are allergic to, or have been instructed not to take. If pain does not subside or becomes worse, please contact our office.
*Take antibiotics as prescribed by Dr. Dillingham to avoid infection.
*A sore throat is normal, and should subside in 2-3 days.
*A slight temperature is normal for 24-48 hours, if fever does not subside in 48 hours please contact our office.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
*Gauze pads will be placed over the surgical area, and should be changed every 20-30 minutes for the first 2 hours after surgery.
*Once a patient is home, pain medication (if) prescribed by Dr. Dillingham should be taken right away. This medication can make you groggy and impair judgment. Patients who take prescription pain medication should not drive, operate machinery, make important decisions, or do anything requiring their responsibility while taking the medication.
*Bleeding is normal after wisdom teeth have been extracted. Remember a little bit of blood mixes with a lot of saliva and looks like a lot of blood. Seeping or oozing of blood is normal for the first 24-48 hours, and expect red saliva/spit for 48-72 hours. If you feel that there is still an excess of bleeding after following our post op instructions please call our office.
*Rest, and plan to do very little activity the day of your surgery. “Over doing it” can cause additional complications and discomfort.
*Standing suddenly may cause dizziness. If you have been laying down, be sure to sit for a minute before standing to avoid a fall.
*Swelling is normal and is to be expected, becoming the most severe after 3-4 days. To help alleviate swelling, place ice packs on the outside of your face on the side/s where the surgery was performed. Use ice packs for the first 36 hours continuously (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) while you are awake to alleviate swelling. After 36 hours, discontinue ice packs and begin using moist heat on the outside of the face on the side/s where the surgery was performed.
*Drink plenty of water, at least 6 glasses a day. Drink directly from a glass and do not use a straw.
*Eat soft foods, and try to chew away from the surgical sites. Getting enough calories is important for maintaining your strength and overall healing.
*Do not rinse with anything the day of your procedure. You may brush gently that night before bed, avoiding the surgical sites. Be sure to spit gently.
*Starting two days after surgery begin rinsing with saltwater (1 teaspoon of salt mixed with 8 ounces of warm water) about 5 times per day, especially after meals. Keeping your mouth clean is vital to the healing process and to avoid infection.
*Take any antibiotics prescribed by Dr. Dillingham as directed. If you have any complications from your antibiotic please contact our office.
*A sore throat or stiff jaw are normal after surgery, and should subside in 2-3 days.
*Sutures may come out or become dislodged, this is not cause for concern. Simply remove the dislodged piece and discard it.
*There will be a hole where the extracted tooth once was. This hole will heal over the next couple of months, and should be kept clean in the meantime by rinsing with warm saltwater (1 teaspoon of salt mixed with 8 ounces of warm water).
Implant
*Bleeding is normal during the first 24 to 48 hours after placement of dental implants. Bleeding can be controlled by placing a gauze pad on the area of bleeding and biting gently for 30 minutes. If excessive bleeding continues, please call our office.
*Depending on your procedure a metal piece called an abutment may be felt protruding from the gingival tissue.
*Avoid spitting, rinsing, or touching the area where the implant was placed.
*Dr. Dillingham will thoroughly explain to your caregiver a pain medication regimen specific to your needs. Although your specific pain medication and dosing may be different, in general patients will be advised to begin taking pain medication when they feel the local anesthetic beginning to wear off, to take any prescription pain medication as prescribed by Dr. Dillingham, or to take over the counter pain medication. Do not take any of these medications if you are allergic or have been advised not to take them.
*Take any prescribed antibiotics as directed.
*Dentures and flippers may be worn immediately after surgery. If they need readjusting please contact our office.
*Swelling is normal after dental surgery. To reduce swelling apply an ice pack to the outside of the cheek in the area where the implant was placed. Apply ice as much as possible for the first 36 hours.
*Drink plenty of water and eat soft foods on the day of surgery.
*Keep physical activity to a minimum in the first few days after implant placement. Excessive exercise may cause additional bleeding.
*Good oral hygiene is essential for the healing process. Use the prescribed Peridex/PerioGuard oral rinse as directed by Dr. Dillingham. This will usually be started 24-48hours after surgery. Use the Monoject syringe provided to gently irrigate the surgical area, let this pool in the mouth and then swish for at least 45-60 seconds gently afterwards. This rinse promotes a healthy healing environment.
*You may brush your teeth, but be gentle around the area the implant was placed.