POST-OP
INSTRUCTIONS
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.
ROOT CANAL THERAPY
It is best to refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until
the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your
soft tissue. This will also allow the temporary restorative material
to harden.
You will most likely feel soreness in the area as well as pressure
when you bite down. For this reason, you should avoid hard and
chewy foods. Do not eat on the treated side of your mouth for
at least 24 hours. The soreness should decrease within a week.
Take any antibiotic medication prescribed to you by the doctor
as this will eliminate any remaining infection in the tooth.
If you notice any of the following symptoms please contact our
office:
- Increasing tenderness or swelling in the area surrounding the
tooth
- A reaction to the medication
- Loss of the temporary filling material
-Tooth fracture
CROWNS AND BRIDGES
It is best to refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until
the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your
soft tissue.
Temporary: Please be careful when cleaning around the temporary
restoration. Do not pull up on the temporary when flossing this
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.
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 an Advil or Tylenol if the discomfort persists.
Permanent Crown/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 in a few
days, please call the office for a slight adjustment.
Home Care: It is important to resume regular brushing and flossing
immediately.
A consistent daily home care routine will increase the longevity
of the restoration.
WHITE FILLINGS (BONDING)
It is best to refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until
the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your
soft tissue.
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 an Advil or Tylenol if the discomfort persists.
Home Care: It is important to resume 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 or root planning, it is best to rinse your
mouth 2-3 times per day with warm salt water. One teaspoon salt
/ 8 oz. 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,
an Advil or Tylenol may be taken to relieve this feeling. The
treated areas will probably be sensitive to hot and cold.
It is best to refrain from eating any hard or chewy foods 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 for at least 2 hours and until
the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your
soft tissue.
Temporary: Please be careful when cleaning around the temporary
restorations. Do not pull up on the temporary when flossing this
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.
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 an Advil 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 it still feels off in a few days, please
call the office for a slight adjustment.
Home Care: It is important to resume regular brushing and flossing
immediately. It is very important to thoroughly clean the area
between the veneer and the tooth at the gumline. A consistent
daily home care routine will increase the longevity of the restoration.
EXTRACTIONS
Bleeding:
It is normal for minor bleeding to occur for the first 24 hours
following surgery If slightly heavier bleeding occurs:
1. Place a piece of gauze over the surgery site.
2. Bite firmly on the gauze for at least 30 minutes. DO NOT chew
on it.
3. If the bleeding continues, call the office
4. Do not suck on area where surgery occurred or drink through
a straw during the first 48 hours.
Rinsing:
1. Don t spit or rinse the surgical area on the day of the surgery..
2. The day after surgery you may gently rinse with warm salt water.
3. 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 & 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 Advil
or Tylenol to ease the pain. If the pain persists, please contact
the office.