Generalized POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS-for more specific instructions please refer to the hand out given to you after your treatment or call our office

It is important to follow instructions after you have oral surgery or any dental procedure to ensure proper healing and to avoid complications. As a rule of thumb, you should always wait a minimum of two hours after surgery before eating to let the anesthesia wear off. Trying to eat before this could result in soft tissue damage because you are not able to feel all of your mouth.You should only eat a soft diet for the next few days to prevent trauma to the areas where the surgery took place and prevent food impaction in the extraction site.  Bruising, tederness or even prolonged numbness (temporary or permanent) may occur at the site of the injection of anesthesia or area of treatment.   Take medications as prescribed,  If no prescriptions were given then, take either over the counter tylenol or advil as directed on the bottle.  Make sure to take with food or water if the prescription says to and follow the directions precisely.  The instructions found below are generalized guidelines. After your surgery the doctor or dental assistant will give you full instructions on how to properly recover from your dental treatment or surgery.

Root Canal Therapy

You can expect soreness after a root canal procedure for a few days. You should avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the procedure was performed so you do not irritate the area and also to ensure that the temporary restorative material properly sets. You may also need to take an antibiotic to treat any remaining infection in your tooth. If you notice an increasing amount of pain or tenderness ( this occurs in about 7-10 % of cases and usually starts occuring 3 to 5 days after treatment and will generally last anywere from 3 to 5 days) , Should you have  a reaction to the medication, or the loss of the temporary restoration (filling)  or discomfort above and beyond what you might feel is normal after a major procedure, call the office immediately for furthur instructions.

Crowns and Bridges

Before you receive your permanent crown/bridge you will first receive a temporary restoration. This is not as sturdy as the permanent version, so you should be careful when cleaning and eating. You should brush the area gently and should not pull up on the tooth when flossing because it could become dislodged. The same goes for eating. You should avoid sticky or chewy foods while you have the temporary in.

There may be sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent is placed. This is normal and should  subside after the soft tissue heals. A warm salt water rinse will help, and you can also take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not go away. If the pain or discomfort worsens over time, then a root canal or other therapies may be necessary due to the size and or depth of the original problem ( ie large and deep decay, cracked or broken tooth/filling etc)

When the permanent crown or bridge is placed it may feel a little awkward for a few days. Your mouth needs to adjust to the new tooth, and it should feel like one of your natural tooth in less than a week.   There may still be some discomfort to the tissue around the area we worked on, and sensitivity could last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.   Once in awhile, a patient may have prolonged sensitivity (several months) but tends to improve with time.   Should the sensitivity, tenderness or discomfort worsen rather than improve with time, a root canal (removal of the nerve to the tooth) may be necessary.  If your bite feels abnormal in any way, you should let us know. Caring for your bridge or crown is just like caring for your own teeth. You should brush and floss regularly.

White Fillings (Bonding)

After the anesthesia wears off your teeth will likely be sensitive and possibly tender to biting. You should avoid hot and cold food or drink for the next few days. After that initial period, your treated teeth should feel as good as new, although some people that begin with sensitive teeth, may have prolonged periods of sensivity.  Sensodyne is a good toothpaste for sensivity but usually takes a minimum of 2 weeks to work.  Continue your normal hygiene plan to ensure that your fillings last for a long time. and if senstivitiy contines, or worsens please contact us as soon as possible as it may be a sign of a more significant problem.

 

Patient Instructions After Scaling and Root Planning

  These are some helpful suggestions that will increase your comfort and help you to receive the maximum benefit from periodontal treatment.

1.             Tenderness is normal.  To reduce tenderness and promote healing, every two to three hours, rinse with warm salt water: ½ teaspoon salt in a 4 ounce glass of water.

 2.             Avoid brushing or flossing the treated area for 12 hours.  However, after 12 hours it is very important that you continue to brush well.  Please be careful brushing and use a toothbrush with soft bristles.  You may moisten the brush with warm water if tissues are tender.

3.             Tylenol or Ibuprofen may be used as recommended for discomfort.

4.             Highly nutritious food is necessary for the healing process.  Avoid foods that require excessive chewing, also, sticky, crunchy or coarse foods.  

5.             Tooth sensitivity is normal and temporary. You may use a desensitizing toothpaste such as Sensodyne or any major brand for sensitivity relief.

Veneers Before you receive your permanent veneer you will first receive a temporary restoration. This is not as sturdy as the permanent version, so you should be careful when cleaning and eating. You should brush the area gently and should not pull up on the tooth when flossing because it could become dislodged. The same goes for eating. You should avoid sticky or chewy foods while you have the temporary in.  There may be sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent is placed. This is normal and should subside after the soft tissue heals. A warm salt water rinse will help, and you can also take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not go away.   When the veneer is placed it may feel a little awkward for a few days. Your mouth needs to adjust to the new tooth, and it should feel like one of your natural tooth in less than a week. If your bite feels abnormal in any way, you should let your dentist know. When brushing and flossing you should pay close attention to the area between the veneer and the tooth at the gum line. 

Extractions

After the surgery you will need to rest. You need to be driven home by a friend or family member because of the anesthesia. You can expect for the extraction site to bleed for a little while after the surgery. Gauze will be applied at the completion of the surgery, and you will need to change it when it becomes soaked. If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours you should call your dentist. Please remember that saliva and blood mixing may make it appear as though it is bleeding profusely, if it is not a deep amber color or appears diluted, then then this is most likely normal.  Make sure you Call if you have any questions Rest when you return home, but do not lie flat-use a raised pillow. This could prolong the bleeding. Prop your head up on a pillow when lying down. Your dentist may prescribe you pain medication, so if you become sore take as directed. You can also use an ice pack for the pain. Do not smoke or suck through a straw as this will not only pull the healing clot from the are of extraction but also contaminate your mouth especially with cigarrettes.   If you have numbness that lasts longer than several hours, please contact the dentist as you may or may not have partial temporary or permanent nerve damage that may or may not require furthur surgical correction as noted in your onsent form prior to your tooth removal.  Your dentist might also provide you with a cleaning solution to clean the extraction site.

You will be limited to soft foods for a few days after your surgery. Some recommended foods are:

• Gelatin
• Pudding
• Yogurt
• Mashed Potatoes
• Ice Cream
• Thin Soups
• ...and other food you can eat without chewing.

When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw. The sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process. The same goes for smoking. If you have prolonged pain, bleeding, irritation, or don't feel that the extraction site is healing properly call your dentist for a follow up.

Orthodontics,   should a bracket come loose, please contact us and we will try to get you in as soon as feasable.    If a wire comes loose while out of town, take a fingernail clipper or a wire cutter and cut the wire as close to the next bracket as possible until you are back in town and able to have the problem taken care of.   Remember, brackets will break or come loose, but if it becomes habitual, then there is a problem with your child either picking, pulling or eating improper items.  Just remember if it is sticky, hard or or chewy, you need to avoid it.  

Dentures/Partials

dentures and partials are a replacement for no teeth, not a replacment for teeth.  they will take time for adjustment.  the amount of time is dependent on you the patient.  Those with positive attitudes tend to adjust much quicker.  You will will need to start out with a soft diet and start by chewing on both sides at the same time.   We recommend that you sing, read, or talk a lot so that you get used to your new denture/partial- this will NOT occur overnight.  remember to remove them at night and after you eat so that you may not only brush your gums, remaining teeth but also the partial/denture to prevent infection.   It may take several months and several adjustments until they feel just right.  They will need to be "broken" in just like a new pair of shoes.  always soak your denture and partial in a cleaning solution at night but do not use bleach as this will discolor the pick plastic portion of the denture over time and give them a whitish appearance.