For New Patients
After Care Treatment
Endodontic Treatment (Root Canal Therapy)
Endodontic treatment can take several appointments. Generally, you can expect the treatments to be fairly simple, similar to having a filling done. You may have some discomfort or tenderness for 1 to 3 days following the appointments. The tooth and its surrounding tissues may have been irritated by the infection or dying pulp. The manipulation of the tooth and its supporting tissues during treatment may also produce some minor irritation. Medicine you take for a headache should control this minor discomfort.
While the great majority of treatment is relatively comfortable, occasional reactions (i.e., tenderness or swelling) may occur. These complications do not occur routinely and do not change the final outcome. However, these reactions may tend to prolong treatment. (If pain persists for more than 3 days or if there is large swelling, please call us.)
One common occurrence is for the tooth to feel high when you bite your teeth together. If this occurs it will cause your tooth to stay sensitive for a longer period of time. Please call us if your bite feels high as this problem is easily rectified with a simple bite adjustment.
Between treatments there will be a temporary filling in your tooth. Do not chew on that side of your mouth. This will allow for healing of any discomfort and prevent accidental breakage of the tooth or temporary filling. Please maintain normal oral hygiene.
Night Guards and TMJ appliances (NTI-tss)
Always brush and floss your teeth before placing the appliance in your mouth. Clean your device after each time you wear it. To clean the device, rinse with cool water. Do not use hot or boiling water or any abrasive brushes or pastes. Denture cleaner loosens plaque and helps prevent staining if used to soak your device. Rinse your device well to avoid building up cleaning agents or oral plaque. Keep your appliance in the box provided. Clean this box periodically in warm soapy water to prevent bacterial or fungal growth. Bring you device to all your dental appointments. It may require adjustment. We must evaluate all devices at least two times each year.
Temporary Veneers and Lumineers
If we did not place a temporary veneer, your tooth may feel different to your tongue. This is normal and it will not feel that way after the permanent veneer is placed. It is important to keep these teeth free from plaque by maintaining your normal oral hygiene routine.
Sometimes we will place a temporary veneer. The plastic temporary restoration will serve you for a short period of time while your permanent veneer is being made. They are attached only slightly to the underlying tooth so they can be removed easily. Avoid chewing gum, candy, or anything sticky. Do not bite into anything hard (i.e. apples, ice). If a veneer comes off, call us and we will replace it immediately. Minor sensitivity is normal during the temporary phase. Medicine you take for a headache should control this minor discomfort.
Temporary Crowns and Fixed Bridges
The temporary restoration will serve you for a short period of time while your permanent crown or bridge is being made. This will protect the tooth and hold the tooth in position so the permanent restoration will fit properly. Avoid chewing anything hard or sticky on the temporary restoration. If the temporary comes off, slip it back on with some Fixodent™ and call us so that we can put it back on. Do not leave temporaries off for more than 24 hours. Minor sensitivity is normal during the temporary phase. Medicine you take for a headache should control this minor discomfort.
Dentures and Partials Dentures
We feel confident that after a few weeks of becoming adjusted to the new denture or partial, you will have years of satisfaction from them. Usually, your mouth will have a few sore spots after wearing the denture or partial for 24 hours. These areas can be relieved with very little effort, so please call our office if you do not already have an appointment for this.
Your denture or partial can be cleaned easily by using a denture brush and mild toothpaste. Periodic denture soaks are also very useful. We recommend leaving your denture or partial out of your mouth at night and soaking them. Make sure to keep the gums as well as the teeth free from plaque by brushing them with a soft toothbrush.
Tooth Removal and Sedation
Healing following oral surgery is usually fast and uncomplicated if you follow all of the directions. Bite on the gauze for 1 hour. Change the gauze if they are full no more than 1 hour at a time. This enables a firm blood clot to form over the socket. Do not suck out of a straw, spit, or smoke for the next 48 hours. You may disturb the blood clot, causing bleeding, slow healing, and/or bone pain often called a dry socket. Do not go to sleep with gauze in your mouth. After 24 hours, you may gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 tsp salt to 8 oz water) twice daily. Do no overexert yourself during the next 24 hours. If you have any abnormal bleeding, excessive discomfort, or swelling, please call our office.
If you were sedated, someone must drive you home and watch over you for the next 24 hours. It is normal to feel drowsy, dizzy, and nauseated. Take the gauze out of your mouth before you fall asleep. Take prescription medication only as directed and only in the time increments indicated. If you have any questions, please call our office.
Also, we have found that many patients benefit from natural healing agents that can be purchased at local drug stores. A multi-vitamin, Vitamin C (1000mg taken 3 times a day), and Enzyme Co Q10 (50mg taken 2 times a day) will boost your system and aid in producing an excellent healing experience. We recommend beginning this vitamin regimen as soon as 1 week before the appointment and to continue for at least 2 weeks after the appointment.
Periodontal Treatment for Gum Disease
After the first 24 hours, meticulous oral hygiene should be resumed in all areas of your mouth. The cleaner your mouth is kept, the quicker and more comfortable the healing will be. Avoid the treatment area for the first 24 hours, and then lightly brush for the next 24 hours. By the third day, you should begin using a rubber tip stimulator or proxibrush. Within 7-10 days, you should be back to your routine home care. Slight bleeding may also be expected for approximately 24 hours. The bleeding is nature's way of flushing the area of bacteria and helps the healing process. Minor discomfort is normal. Medicine you take for a headache should control this. If you have any abnormal symptoms or questions please call our office.
Composite Resin Restorations (White Fillings)
As with natural teeth, avoid chewing excessively hard foods on the filled teeth (i.e. hard candy, ice etc.). Sensitivity to hot and cold is common for a few weeks following a dental restoration. Usually, the deeper the cavity was, the more sensitive the tooth will be. After the anesthetic wears off, if you feel the bite is not correctly balanced, please call us for a simple adjustment.