Home Care Instructions

After crown and bridge appointments

Crown and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.

Occasionally a temporary crown may fall off. Call us if this happens and bring the temporary crown with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and protects the supporting gum and bone. Loss of a temporary may compromise the fit of your final restoration.

To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don't pull on the floss which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.

It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside after a few days, possibly a few weeks, after placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, it's important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That's why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may do this several times.

After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack aplied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

Use the pain medication as directed. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluid ant nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable. Call the office immediately if you have any questions or concerns.

It is important resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours, yet try to avoid the extraction site for 72 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.

After a Root Canal

Root canals usually take one to three appointments to complete. During the course of treatment a patient may feel sensitivity to hot, cold and pressure. Injection sites may also be sore. Typically, Ibuprophen (Advil, Motrin) or Acetominophen (Tylenol) can be used according to the manufacturers instructions to moderate any discomfort a patient encounters. In some cases it is necessary to prescribe antibiotics and/or additional types of pain medication depending upon each individual's condition.

Once a root canal is completed any discomfort a patient initially feels should resolve completely within a reasonable amount of time, resulting in a patient that is pain-free comfortable.

Of course at any time there are any questions or concerns please contact our office at your earliest convenience.

After an Implant Placement

Implant placement usually takes one appointment with successive follow-up appointments after one day, one week, and one month. Due to the nature of human bone which is compromised of very few intraosseous nerve fibers, implant placement/microsurgery usually results in very slight discomfort to none at all. Some patients indicate a feeling of slight pressure that lasts a matter of hours, yet most are pain-free before, during, and after the procedure.

Similar to other dental procedures, any occurring post-procedure can be moderated by utilizing common pain medications. Ibuprophen (Advil, Motrin) or Acetominophen (Tylenol) can be used according to the manufacturers' instructions. Additionally, if a patient feels pressure or slight fullness/swelling an ice pack/cold compress can be placed on the skin around the area of implant placement following a sequence of twenty minutes on/ twenty minutes off for up to 48 hours or until the fullness subsides. In some cases, an antibiotic and/or pain medication will be prescribed.

Of course at any time if there are any questions or concerns please contact our office at your earliest convenience.