After the anesthesia wears off your teeth will likely be sensitive. After that initial period, your treated teeth will feel as good as new.
Post-Op Instructions
Bonding
What to expect
Aftercare
You should avoid hot and cold food or drink for the next few days. Continue your normal hygiene plan to ensure that your fillings last for a long time.
Crowns & Bridges
What to expect
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 be some sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent is placed. This is normal and will subside after the soft tissue heals.
Aftercare
Caring for your bridge or crown is just like caring for your own teeth. You should brush and floss regularly. 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.
If you experience sensitivity or irritation, a warm salt water rinse will help. You can also take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not go away.
When to contact us
If your bite feels abnormal in any way, you should let your dentist know.
Dental Implants
What to expect
It is common to experience slight bleeding for about two days after surgery. You will feel slightly uncomfortable the first two days following surgery, but the third day is generally better. An increase in temperature of about 1 to 2 degrees is to be expected and is not a cause for concern.
Aftercare
After dental implant surgery, it is recommended that you take at easy for 48-72 hours. Resting assists the healing process and limits after surgery bleeding. Drink plenty of fluids, but nothing too cold. You may need to apply an ice pack to your face in twenty-minute intervals for the 2 days following surgery. If you received upper implants, do not blow your nose for two weeks. Finally, while you can eat when you are hungry, do not chew directly onto the bone graft.
When to contact us
If you notice an increasing amount of pain, tenderness, or a reaction to the medication, call your dentist.
Extractions
What to expect
You can expect for the extraction site to bleed for a little while after the surgery. Within two days, you will experience the maximum swelling both inside the mouth and possibly around the eye as well. The area around your eye may also become discolored. The muscles near the extraction site may become sore after surgery, causing a sore throat. This is normal as well as the corners of your mouth becoming dry and cracked from being stretched open during surgery.
Aftercare
After the surgery you will need to rest. You need to be driven home by a friend or family member because of the anesthesia. Rest when you return home, but do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. Prop your head up on a pillow when lying down.
Gauze will be applied at the completion of the surgery, and you will need to change it when it becomes soaked. If you have trouble with extraction site bleeding, you can try biting on a tea bag for 30 minutes – this has a coagulating effect and can help control bleeding. Use a caffeinated tea such as black or green, and make sure to soak it in water for 1 minute beforehand.
If you experience discoloration around the eyes, a warm compress may be used as treatment. Your dentist will prescribe you pain medication, so if you become sore take as directed. You can also use an ice pack for the pain. Your dentist might also provide you with a cleaning solution to clean the extraction site.
What to eat post-surgery
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
- & 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.
When to contact us
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. If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours you should call your dentist.
In most cases, you will have a follow up appointment with your dentist within 48 hours after surgery to discuss any post surgery symptoms that you are experiencing.
Dental Implants
What to expect
You can expect soreness after a root canal procedure for a few days.
Aftercare
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 will also need to take an antibiotic to treat any remaining infection in your tooth.
When to contact us
If you notice an increasing amount of pain or tenderness, a reaction to the medication, or the loss of the temporary restoration (filling) call your dentist.
Scaling & Root Planing
What to expect
After this procedure your gums will probably be slightly sore and irritated for a few days.
Aftercare
You should rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 tsp salt/8 oz water) 2-3 times a day. This will relieve the pain and cleanse the area. Brushing and flossing should be continued right after the procedure, but you should brush gently so that you do not further irritate the area. If you experience any swelling or stiffness in the area you can place a cold compress on the area and take some pain relieving medicine. Avoid any hard or chewy foods for 2-3 days after the surgery to ensure the area heals correctly.
When to contact us
If you continue to experience pain or swelling after a few days contact your dentist.
Veneers
What to expect
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.
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.
Aftercare
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. When brushing and flossing you should pay close attention to the area between the veneer and the tooth at the gum line. 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.
A warm salt water rinse will help any irritation or sensitivity, and you can also take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not go away.
When to contact us
If your bite feels abnormal in any way, you should let your dentist know.