Post Op Care & Instruction

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling. It can also be used for cosmetic dentistry. If we used a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb the area we treated, the numbness in your lips, teeth and tongue might last for several hours after the procedure. To prevent damage to your tongue and lips, you should avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.

Things to expect after treatment:

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• Once numbness has subsided, you are able to eat and drink normally.
• For the first few weeks, it is normal to experience some pressure, or sensitivity to hot and cold after your composite is finished. The injection site may also be sore. Aleve, Ibuprofen or aspirin will work well to alleviate the tenderness.
• If your gums are swollen or sore, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help to alleviate discomfort and swelling. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, and then gently swish the water around the tooth and spit.
• Floss and brush your new filling as you normally would, and maintain consistent hygiene routines.

Notify our office if any of the following occurs:

• You feel that your bite is not correctly balanced. It feels as if the filling is too high, or you are hitting the filling first when you bite down.
• You have discomfort or pain that persists from hot or cold temperatures. Both of these symptoms are normal and are caused from not being able to properly feel your bite while being numb.

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Congratulations! You have just received one of the best things modern dentistry can offer, a porcelain CAD/CAM restoration. A crown is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens the tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting, beautiful smile.

Grinding/Clenching: Patients who grind/clench their teeth typically have more post-op problems with any given treatment rendered. Expect more post-op sensitivity and tenderness, as well as longer, more difficult recovery period. Properly designed and fitted night guards (NTI) help alleviate these problems. The crown of a tooth is the portion that is covered by enamel. A restorative crown replaces this outer part to protect and strengthen the tooth. This protection becomes necessary when a tooth cracks, has its entire structure weakened by decay, or becomes brittle after a root canal.

Things to expect after treatment:

• We used a local anesthetic that might last for several hours after the procedure. You should avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. There are no restrictions on your usual activities. Brush and floss the crown as you do your natural teeth.
• Sensitivity to foods and liquids is a normal reaction to a new crown, and may last for several weeks, but it should begin to feel better every day. If the tooth hurts or continues to feel sore each passing day, call us to set up a simple bite adjustment.

It is mandatory to wear an NTI or occlusal guard (special night guard) to protect your crown and other natural teeth if recommended by your doctor due to wear patterns from abnormal clenching or grinding.

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Things to expect after treatment:

• The initial healing period usually takes one to two weeks, and you’ll likely experience some swelling for the first forty eight hours.
• Before the procedure began, you were given an anesthetic to ensure your comfort. This anesthetic typically leaves your lips, teeth and tongue feeling numb after the appointment. For this reason, you should avoid chewing for two hours following surgery, or until the numbness has completely worn off.
• Discomfort after the extraction is normal. An over-the-counter pain reliever may be sufficient. We can also give you a prescription for a stronger pain reliever if needed.
• To avoid nausea, do not take pain medication on an empty stomach.
• You can also decrease pain and swelling by applying an ice pack (twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off) for the first six hours following the extraction. A frozen bag of peas work great as well!
• A blood clot will form on the extraction site, and this clot is vital to the healing process. To keep the clot intact, avoid touching the extraction site with your tongue or fingers, do not drink liquids through a straw, and do not spit vigorously.
• Blowing your nose or sneezing violently can also dislodge the blood clot and impair healing, so if you have an upper respiratory infection or suffer from allergies, be sure to have the appropriate sinus medication on hand.
• Do not drink alcohol for 48 hours after extraction. Smoking or allowing food particles to pack into the tooth’s socket should be avoided, as both will significantly affect the healing process.
• Do not rinse your mouth for 12 hours after surgery. 24 hours following the procedure, you can rinse gently with mouthwash or a warm salt water solution. (Dissolve one teaspoon of salt with one cup of warm water. Gently swish the solution around the affected area, and spit carefully.) You should do this two to three times each day for the week following the extraction.

Additional after-treatment care:

• Keep your head elevated with pillows to control bleeding. Relax as much as possible. We will give you a supply of gauze sponges to place over the bleeding area.
• If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.
• Once the numbness has worn off, you should eat. Nourishment is an important part of the healing process. Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, soft soups, ice cream, or soft-cooked eggs for the first forty-eight hours, and drink at least eight large glasses of water or fruit juice each day.
• Change the gauze as necessary and use them until the bleeding stop completely. You can bite carefully, but firmly on a moist tea bag for twenty minutes. Use tea bags if bleeding persists…YES, tea bags! They have a natural coagulant.

Notify our office if any of the following occurs:

• Heavy bleeding develops. This may be suspected if the gauze sponges are still being heavily saturated with blood after two hours. Oozing is normal, heavy bleeding is not.
• Any bleeding from the socket occurs after 18 hours.
• Severe nagging or “gnawing” pain is present at the extraction site after 24 hours.
• Elevation of temperature over 101 F develops.
• Dry socket may occur after any dental extraction. It usually comes on 48 hours after surgery, even if the area felt normal before. We may be able to place a soothing medicine to relieve symptoms, however relief is seldom found. It could last for 10-14 days.

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You have just received a temporary restoration that will serve you for a short period of time while your final restoration is being made. This will protect the tooth and hold the tooth in position so the final restoration will fit properly. Temporaries are not strong, they are meant to function as they sound – temporary. It is very important if you have temporaries to rinse them twice a day for one minute with 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% water. This will aid in maintaining a clean and healthy temporary, and ensure the final restoration will fit properly.

Things to expect after treatment:

• Temporaries may break or come off occasionally. If so, you may slip it back on the tooth will something like denture adhesive or even toothpaste, or call if you need an appointment. Please do not leave the temporary out of your mouth because the teeth can shift and the final custom made restoration may not fit properly.
• Please clean around your temporary as instructed, and keep your gums healthy by brushing and flossing gently around the temporary.
• The size, shape, and color of the temporary may not resemble the final restoration. Furthermore, it may fade or change shades, especially when exposed to things like coffee, soda, red wines, etc. Candy and gum will very likely remove any given temporary, so please refrain from using them while your custom restoration is being made.
• Temporary restorations may leak saliva or food onto the tooth if left in place longer than recommended, even with proper care.
• Sensitivity to hot, cold, pressure or sweets is not uncommon.

Notify our office if any of the following occurs:

• You feel that your bite is not correctly balanced. It feels as if the temporary is too high, or you are hitting the temporary first when you bite down.
• The temporary breaks or falls out and you are unable to secure it.

Please call the office to schedule an appointment at no charge for a simple adjustment.

What to expect while wearing braces

• Your teeth and lips will be sore for about 1-2 weeks (everyone is different)
• If you have BITE GUARDS placed on your teeth (most patients) you will only be able to bite on the bite guards. Your other teeth won’t touch until about 2-4 months into treatment.
• You will get used to eating with the BITE GUARDS! Hang in there!
• Use wax and Ibuprofen (or other pain meds) to help aid with discomfort
• Wax can be used in any area that is bothering you (wires or braces)

If one of the braces (brackets) come off

• We want the braces to stay on your teeth, but if one pops off your tooth it will sometimes come out of your mouth or it sometimes stays on the wire.
• If the dislodged brace (bracket) isn’t hurting you, just try to hang on to it until you come in for your next adjustment.
• You are responsible for keeping the braces on your teeth!

Avoid the following foods

• Anything that is harder than a PRETZEL
• Crusts, nuts, bagels, chicken wings, popcorn kernels, raw vegetables, whole fruit, candy taffy, corn on the cob, ice and ANY OTHER FOOD THAT WILL POP A BRACKET OFF

Brush & floss your teeth

• Brush like crazy! Rotadent has a special attachment that is ideal for you.
• Keep all plaque off your teeth so that it doesn’t harden up and turn into tartar
• Use your fingernails to check if all soft plaque and debris has been removed.
• Teeth move slower when plaque and tartar are in the way!
• Your adjustments will be easier if you teeth are clean! Flossing can be difficult but it is do-able. Thoroughly floss at least twice per week.

A frenum is a fold of tissue or muscle connecting the lips, cheek or tongue to the jawbone. Frenectomy is a term that refers to the removal of one of these folds of tissue. Sometimes a frenum can be attached too tight on the gums or extend between teeth, this can become a significant problem if tension from lip movement pulls the gums away from the teeth. In addition, this can lead to a diastema (space between teeth); preventing teeth from coming in their correct position and eventually causing gum recession.

Things to expect after treatment

• Nothing sharp, spicy, or hard to eat or drink for the next 48 hours
• Do NOT pull on lip
• The area may become white or grey
• It takes about a week to heal
• Rinsing with salt water helps keep the area clean and facilitates healing

Cold popsicles can feel really good too!

Congratulations! You have just completed the first step of your implant treatment. In 3 to 4 months, we will have you back in our office to complete your implant with your new CEREC crown. Your implant requires a clean environment. Proper care of your mouth will aid in the healing process and reduce the possibility of complications.

Things to Expect After Treatment

• Following the initial procedure, you may find it advisable to take it easy for a day or two.
• Before the procedure began, you were given an anesthetic to ensure your comfort. This anesthetic typically leaves your lips, teeth and tongue feeling number after the appointment. For this reason, you should avoid chewing for two hours following surgery or until the numbness has completely worn off.
• Discomfort after surgery is normal. An over-the-counter pain reliever may be sufficient. We can also give you a prescription for a strong pain reliever if needed.
• You can also decrease pain and swelling by applying an ice pack – twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off – for the first six hours following the extraction. A frozen bag of peas works great as well.
• Avoid touching the implant with your tongue or fingers, do not drink liquids through a straw and do not spit vigorously.
• Avoid smoking for 2 weeks. Smoking significantly affects the healing process and success rate of dental implants.
• Rinsing is very helpful in keeping your mouth clean. Warm salt water rinses should be started the day after surgery. (Dissolve one teaspoon of salt with one cup of warm water. Gently swish the solution around the affected area, and spit carefully) Rinse gently several times a day and continue to do so for 10-14 days.
• There is usually a minimal amount of bleeding following implant surgery. We suggest that you bite on the gauze packing in your mouth or at least 20-30 minutes. If you notice bleeding from the area after the first 30 minutes, place another gauze pad over the area. Some oozing may occur for a day or two after the surgery.
• Do no attempt to floss brush or water-pik in the area of surgery for the first two weeks. Keep it clean, but don’t disturb it.
• Diet is very important during the healing period. Eat soft nutritious foods. Avoid hard or crunchy foods.

Notify our office if any of the following occurs

• Swelling, redness or discomfort in the area of the implant.

Fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay. It is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in almost all foods and water supplies. Although most people receive fluoride from food and water, sometimes it is not enough to prevent decay. Fluoride strengthens the teeth once they have erupted by seeping into the outer surface of the tooth enamel, making the teeth more resistant to decay. We gain topical fluoride by using fluoride containing dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and gels. We generally recommend that children have a professional application of fluoride twice a year during dental check-ups.

Things to Expect After Treatment

• Avoid anything acidic (i.e. sodas)
• Avoid hot drinks and products containing alcohol (i.e.: beverages, oral rinses, etc.) during treatment period.
• Avoid brushing and flossing for 8- 12 hours. If possible, wait until tomorrow morning to resume normal oral hygiene.
• Teeth will feel sticky.
• After application, fluoride may appear white and streaky on the tooth surface. A thorough brushing and flossing will remove any remaining fluoride.

Remember, fluoride alone will not prevent tooth decay! It is important to brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, eat balanced meals, reduce sugary snacks, and visit your dentist on a regular basis.

A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, pre- molars and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy to clean surface. Sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years, but need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular dental visits.

Things to Expect After Treatment

• Avoid chewing anything hard (i.e. ice, hard candies), they will wear sealants out fast and may cause them to fall out.
• Your bite may appear to feel off at first, this sensation will go away within a couple of days.
• Avoid brushing and flossing for 8-12 hours. If possible, wait until tomorrow morning to resume normal oral hygiene.
• Teeth will feel sticky.

Remember, sealants alone will not prevent tooth decay! It is important to brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, eat balanced meals, reduce sugary snacks, and we will help you maintain a healthy smile.

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A healthy and harmonious gum-line is essential for a beautiful smile, as the gums are the frame around the teeth. A gingivectomy is a dental procedure that raises and sculpts the gum-line. This procedure may involve reshaping the tissue to create the appearance of longer and symmetrical teeth, thereby making the smile more aesthetically pleasing. It can also be done to remove excess tissue for optimal placement of a crown. A gingivectomy is typically done to reduce excessively “gummy” smiles or to balance out an asymmetrical gum-line.

Things to Expect After Treatment

• We used a local anesthetic that might last for several hours after the procedure. You should avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. There are no restrictions on your usual activities
• Nothing sharp, spicy or hard to eat or drink for the next 48 hours.
• Your gums will take about 2 weeks to heal.
• Rinsing with salt water helps keep the area clean and facilitates healing.

You have received an acrylic night guard/NTI. This treatment has been used for many years to keep the teeth from contacting while you sleep and to allow the lower jaw to return to a comfortable hinge position without interference and guidance from the teeth. It is essential that you wear your night guard every night and you may also wear it during the day if you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth. This appliance will help to relax any of your jaw muscles which are in spasm and to reduce any muscle pain, as well as, protect your teeth.

Things to Expect After Treatment

• Your teeth may become tender from being confined to the night guard. The tenderness lasts 1- 3 days and will not reoccur.
• You may notice an increase in saliva due to the extra material in your mouth. It does get better!
• WEAR IT EVERY NIGHT. To be effective, the night guard/NTI must be worn every night. If it is left out for extended periods, the teeth may move slightly and then, the night guard may not fit. Sometimes it has to be remade if the teeth have moved too much.

How to care for your Night Guard/NTI

• Brush and floss your teeth before wearing the guard
• Clean the guard under running cold water every morning
• Keep the guard in the provided case when not in use
• Use Efferdent/Polident denture cleaner to soak your guard
• Do NOT use toothpaste or a toothbrush to clean your guard
• Keep the guard away from hot water/surfaces – do not boil
• Keep away from pets – they love to chew on the guard material

Bring your night guard to your maintenance appointments and we will put it through the ultrasonic cleaner.

Teeth, just as any other part of your body, can become infected. The infection usually is caused by (1) a deep cavity or (2) traumatic injury to the tooth.

A root canal treatment will save your tooth and avoid the harmful effects of tooth loss. Root canal therapy is usually done in one or two appointments. The abscessed area at the end of the root canal (under the gum) will start to heal slowly and may require several months for complete healing. We will want to check the healing process by comparing x-rays taken at a later date with the original x-rays.

Things to Expect After Treatment

• Once numbness has worn off, you are able to eat and drink normally, take it easy on the tooth for the next couple of days.
• The healing process may take up to a few weeks or months and any minor discomfort will subside gradually. It most often feels bruised you may experience moderate sensitivity to pressure. Your gum near the treated tooth may feel extremely sore for a few days after treatment.
• Take any medications that we have prescribed for you according to instructions.
• Floss and brush your new filling as you normally would.

Notify our office if any of the following occur:

• Temperature above 101° F develops
• The tooth feels as if it is “coming out of the socket”
• The tooth becomes loose
• Pain develops which cannot be controlled by simpler remedies such as aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen

Please call the office if you have concerns not mentioned above.

A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile. There are two types of dentures – complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A partial denture not only fills the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting. Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.

Things to Expect After Treatment

• Sore Spots: Usually, your mouth will have a few “sore spots” after wearing dentures/partials for 24 hours. These areas can be relieved with very little effort in the office. Just call if you feel a sore spot.
• Chewing: The new bite may not feel completely comfortable for several weeks. We can adjust the contacting surface of your teeth after the dentures/partials have settled into place.

We have done our best to provide you with well-fitted, functional & esthetic dentures/partials. We feel confident that after a few weeks of becoming adjusted to the new dentures/partials, you will have years of satisfaction from them. Over time, your jawbone and gums shrink when there are teeth missing. When this occurs your dentures/partials will feel loose and may require relining. Wearing ill-fitting dentures/partials for too long, after they have settled into place, can cause severe bone loss and very serious oral disease.

Please call our office should your partial/denture feel loose due to the above reasons.

Please bring/wear your partials and dentures to ALL of your dental appointments. It is often necessary in order to determine how your bite lines up, plus we will place them in our ultrasonic cleaner for you at no cost!