These are general post-op instructions for the following procedures. If you are having symptoms that are not covered here or have a dental emergency, please contact the office directly, or if after regular hours, please call the emergency number.
Crowns and Bridges
It is best to refrain from eating for at least 2 hours or until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possible injury to your soft tissue.
Temporary Crowns and Bridges: Please be careful when cleaning around the temporary restoration. As you floss your teeth, tie a knot into the floss and pull it through the space in order to lessen the pull on the restoration. Make sure to brush this area gently and not to chew any hard foods, such as ice and hard candies, on the restoration. If your temporary comes off between appointments, please call our office so that we can re-apply it for you. It is extremely important that you let us know, even if there is no pain present.
Sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot and cold is to be expected following treatment. For the first few days, try to avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages. It is normal to have discomfort in the gums around the tooth after the anesthesia wears off. If you feel discomfort in the gum tissue, rinse the area with warm salt water. You can also take ibuprofen products, such as Advil or Motrin, or Tylenol if the discomfort persists.
Permanent Crown and Bridge: When the final restoration is placed, your bite may feel a little different. This is just your mouth adjusting to the new addition. If it still feels off the next day, please call the office for a slight adjustment.
Home Care: It is important to resume regular brushing and flossing immediately. If the restoration is a bridge, then be sure to floss under the bridge using your floss threaders. A consistent daily home care routine will increase the longevity of the restoration.
Tooth-Colored Fillings (Bonding)
It is best to refrain from eating until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your soft tissue. Sensitivity to hot and cold may occur following treatment. For the first few days, try to avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages. Discomfort with the gums around the tooth may occur after the anesthesia wears off. If this occurs rinse the area with warm salt water. The appropriate amount of salt is one teaspoon for every 8 oz. glass of warm water. You can also take ibuprofen products, such as Advil or Motrin, or Tylenol if the discomfort persists. If discomfort persists, please call the office as the bite may be off. It is important to resume your regular brushing and flossing immediately. A consistent daily home care routine will increase the longevity of the restoration.
Scaling and Root Planing
After your scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning, it is best to rinse your mouth 2-3 times per day with warm salt water. The right amount is one teaspoon salt per 8 oz. warm water. You should start home care immediately, although you should be extremely gentle with the treated areas. If you feel discomfort in the gum tissue where you had treatment, ibuprofen products, such as Advil or Motrin, or Tylenol may be taken to relieve this discomfort. The treated areas may be sensitive to hot and cold. It is best to refrain from eating any hard or chewy food for the next 48-72 hours while the treated area begins to heal. You may also experience some swelling or jaw stiffness. If this does occur, you can place a cold compress on the swelling or a hot towel on the stiffness. Smoking should be terminated for a period of 48-72 hours following these procedures. Please contact the office if the pain or swelling persists.
Porcelain Veneers (Laminates)
It is best to refrain from eating until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possible injury to your soft tissue.
Temporary: Please be careful when cleaning around the temporary restoration. When flossing, be sure to tie a knot in your floss and pull through the area. Make sure to brush this area gently and not to chew any hard foods on the restoration. If your temporary comes off between appointments, please call our office so that we can reapply it for you. It is extremely important that you let us know, even if there is no pain present. Sensitivity to hot and cold may occur following treatment. For the first few days, try to avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages. It is not unusual to have discomfort in the gums around the tooth after the anesthesia wears off. If you feel discomfort in the gum tissue, rinse the area with warm salt water. The right concentration is one teaspoon salt per 8 oz. warm water. You can also take ibuprofen products, such as Advil or Motrin, or Tylenol if the discomfort persists.
Permanent Veneers: When the final restoration is placed, your bite may feel a little different. This is just your mouth adjusting to the new addition. If your bite feels off the next day, please call the office for an adjustment to your bite. It is important that you not hesitate in calling as your veneer can be damaged with prolonged trauma. Resume regular brushing and flossing immediately. It is very important to clean the area between the veneer and the tooth at the gumline. A consistent daily home care routine will increase the longevity of your restoration.
Extractions
Bleeding: It is normal for minor bleeding to occur for the first 24 hours following surgery. If slightly heavier bleeding occurs:
- Place a piece of the gauze that you received over the surgery site.
- Bite firmly on the gauze for at least 30 minutes. DO NOT chew on it.
- If the bleeding continues, call the office.
- Do not suck on the area where surgery occurred or drink through a straw during the first 48 hours.
Rinsing:
- Don’t spit or rinse the surgical area on the day of the surgery.
- The day after surgery, you may gently rinse with warm salt water, but do not spit!
- You may brush your teeth and your tongue after the surgery. Be careful of the surgical site.
Eating: You should start with liquids and very soft foods for the first 24-48 hours following the surgery. If the area feels a little better, you can then move on to a normal diet. Be careful of chewing on hard foods near the surgical area.
Pain and Swelling: It is normal to experience some degree of swelling. If you do experience swelling, you can place ice over your face for 20-30 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours. This should help to reduce pain and swelling. Do not ice after the first 36 hours. If you feel discomfort, it is recommended that you take an ibuprofen product, such as Advil or Motrin, or Tylenol to ease the pain. If the pain persists, please contact the office.