POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

If you are having symptoms that are not covered here or have a dental emergency, please contact the office directly. These are general post-op instructions for the following procedures:

CROWNS & BRIDGES

It is best to refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possible injury to your soft tissue.

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 gums, rinse the area with warm salt water. You can also take an Advil or Tylenol if the discomfort persists.

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 “temp.” 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 gums, 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 after 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 FILINGS (BONDING)

It is best to refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possible 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 gums, 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 & ROOT PLANING

After your scaling or root planing, it is best to rinse your mouth 2-3 times per day with warm salt water (1 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 gums where you had treatment, an Advil or Tylenol may be taken. 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 as 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.

DENTURES & PARTIALS

New dentures always require a period of adjustment. First-time denture patients may require several weeks to get used to their new appliance.

For the first few days, you should wear your dentures as long as possible and chew soft food in small bites. Remember, dentures do not have the same chewing efficiency as natural teeth and may affect the taste of food. It is not unusual for sore spots to develop in isolated areas of the mouth. If your bite feels uneven after several days, we can adjust your new denture for better comfort. Contact us to arrange the best time for you to come in.

Proper cleaning of your denture is important to prevent stains and bacteria from accumulating on your appliance. It’s best to use a brush designed for dentures as well as a denture cleaner. Do not wear your denture to bed. It is important to allow your gum tissue and jaw bone to rest in order to prevent further tissue irritation.

Over time, or with weight loss or gain, the supporting gum tissue and bone may change shape and size. Periodic relines of your denture may be necessary to ensure a retentive fit. Denture teeth may wear or chip over time. For this reason, an annual check of your tissue and denture is recommended yearly.

IMMEDIATE DENTURES:

For patients wearing immediate dentures do not remove the denture for the first 24 hours after extractions. Follow all the post-operative instructions for extractions. Remove the denture after 24 hours and clean using the proper care instructions listed above. Your denture will loosen up as your gums and bone heal. At this stage, you will need to come in for a reline appointment for a better fit of the immediate denture.

If you do not wear your partial, immediate, or regular denture for a period of time, you will notice that it will not fit properly. This is due to natural changes that occur to your jaw bone. In these cases relining, rebasing or even new dentures might be recommended.