POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

White Fillings (Bonding)
After the anesthesia wears off, your teeth may experience some sensitivity. You should avoid extreme hot and cold food for the next few days. After that initial period, your treated teeth will feel as good as new. Continue your normal hygiene plan to ensure that your fillings last for a long time.

Crowns and Bridges
Before you receive your permanent crown/bridge you will first receive a temporary restoration.

While wearing a temporary crown or bridge:

You will wear temporary restorations until your permanent restoration is made.
It is normal for the gum around the tooth to be tender for a day or two. If the tenderness persists any longer than two days, please call the office immediately so we can check the temporary restoration and make any needed corrections.
If the temporary restoration comes loose or breaks, please call us. If the temporary restoration is off for even a short time, the tooth can shift position and cause the final restoration to not fit well.
Please avoid eating with the temporary restoration as much as possible.
Carefully clean around the restoration with a toothbrush and floss every day. When you do floss, pull the floss carefully out the side to avoid pulling the restoration off. In certain cases, we may advise you not to floss the area until your final restoration is delivered.
Avoid sticky foods and chewing gum on the temporary restoration to avoid pulling it off.
Slight discomfort, sensitivity and tenderness are possible after a tooth has had dental treatment . A warm salt water rinse will help, and you can also take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not go away. If the discomfort persists for more than a day or two, please call the office.

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. 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.

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 some sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent is placed. This is normal and will 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 restoration, and it should feel like one of your natural teeth 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.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and Root Planing therapy involves removing bacterial plaque and tartar from the root surface below the gum line. This reduces inflammation/infection and allows re-attachment of the gums to the root surface. The depth of the periodontal pockets is reduced thus allowing more efficient flossing and brushing.

Things to Do:

For any discomfort you can take ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Consume a soft diet for a day or two and chew on of opposite side of the treated area.
Rinse with a warm salt water rinse, one teaspoon in an 8 oz. glass of water, three times a day.
Gently brush and floss the treated area for a few days. Then resume normal brushing in a week or until the soreness is gone.
Rinse with chlorhexidine gluconate (Peridex) if prescribed, for at least 30 seconds twice daily.

As the gums heal they will appear to be pink, less swollen, and will bleed less when you floss.

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. If you notice an increasing amount of pain or tenderness, a reaction to the medication, or the loss of the temporary restoration (filling) give us a call immediately.

Extractions

If you have just had a tooth/teeth extracted, the following information will help. The initial healing period typically takes from one to two weeks, gum tissue takes about three to four weeks to heal and complete healing of the bone can take about six months depending on your care of this area. Some discomfort, bleeding and swelling should be expected in the next 24 hours as your mouth heals. Following these simple instructions will normally be all that is needed.

For an hour after surgery, you should place pressure on the gauze pad covering the extraction site. If bleeding continues, apply new gauze and pressure for an additional 45 minutes.
DO NOT RINSE MOUTH TODAY. Tomorrow rinse mouth gently every 3 to 4 hours (especially after meals) using one-half teaspoon of salt to an 8 oz. glass of very warm water. Continue rinses for several days.

BLEEDING. Continue to bite down with firm pressure on gauze pads placed over the extraction site for at least one-half hour. Following extractions, some bleeding is to be expected. If persistent bleeding occurs, replace gauze pads with moist tea bags and contact your doctor.
SWELLING. Ice bag or chopped ice placed in a plastic bag and wrapped in a towel should be applied to operated area - one-half hour on and one-half hour off for 24 hours.
PAIN. For mild to average pain use any over the counter medication you use for a headache. (Advil, Motrin, Tylenol) Use as directed. If the doctor feels you need something stronger, it will be prescribed for you.
FOOD. Light diet is advisable during the first 24 hours. Do not eat or drink hot food the first 24 hours. Cool, soft foods are best. (Gelatin, pudding, yogurt, ice cream, etc.)
Do not smoke.
When drinking make sure not to use a straw, the sucking motion can interfere with the healing process.
Oral Hygiene: brush your teeth gently, but thoroughly. Avoid the area of the surgery for 2 to 3 days.
BONY EDGES. Small sharp bone fragments may work through the gums during healing. These are not roots. If annoying, return to the office for their simple removal. They normally resolve on their own.

If any unusual symptoms occur, call the office at once at 305-9318255. Proper care hastens recovery and prevents complications.

Post-Operative Instructions Following Delivery of Dentures/Partials

The following will help you to use and properly care for your new denture.

It is normal to experience some discomfort, sore spots and speech problems while getting used to your new dentures. Your dentures will need a few adjustments until you are comfortable. To help with speech, read aloud for a few minutes every day. Your mouth will adjust, and your speech will improve.
Your bite will need to be adjusted as your dentures settle.
It is important to clean your denture with a denture brush and hand soap ( do not use tooth paste since it is very abrasive). Soaking your denture every night in denture cleaner (eg; Polident) will keep them clean.
You should leave your dentures out for at least six hours a day to allow your gums to rest. Food particles trapped under the denture cause inflammation and sore spots. Brush the roof of your mouth as well as your gums and tongue. This will help keep your mouth healthy.
For partial dentures with metal clasps special care should be taken while inserting and removing them. Keep your partials and remaining natural teeth absolutely clean to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
You should return to have your dentures and mouth check at least once a year. As changes in the mouth occur with further bone loss and wear on the teeth. These changes will make the denture not fit right thus causing trauma to your gums and bone leading to continuing damage.

With proper care we expect you to have years of satisfied use of your dentures. However overtime, there are changes in your jawbone and gums. When this occurs, your dentures/partials will feel loose and may require relining. Wearing ill-fitting dentures/partials for too long without refitting can cause severe bone loss and very serious oral disease. Please call our office if these symptoms occur.