Crowns

• After your initial appointment you will have a temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth.
• Numbness from anesthetic will last approximately two hours.
• Avoid chewing gum or sticky food until your next appointment.
• Brush gently, and do not floss around the temporary filling or the crown may become loose.
• The teeth and gums may be sensitive. Rinse with warm salt water.
• If the temporary crown is lost comes off, please call the office to have it replaced, otherwise the teeth may shift and crown may not fit.
• After the permanent crown Is placed, the teeth may be temperature sensitive for a few days.
• Brush and floss like a normal tooth.
• The bite should be assessed in the first 48 hours. If it does not feel balanced it should be adjusted as the crown will not ‘wear down’.

Fillings

• Numbness from anesthetic will last approximately two hours.
• Be cautious not to bite lip, cheek or tongue.
• The bite should be assessed in the first 48 hours. If you do not bite evenly on both sides, the filling should be adjusted as the filling will not ‘wear down’.
• Avoid chewing on filling for 2 days.
• It is normal to have sensitivity to cold.
• There should be no throbbing or constant pain.
  The tooth should feel smooth to the tongue.
• Many insurance companies pay the metal equivalent toward white fillings.

Bridges

• After the initial appointment you will have a temporary bride or crowns.
• Numbness from anesthetic may several hours.
• Avoid chewing gum or sticky food until your next appointment.
• Brush gently, and do not floss in the area or the temporary filling may become loose.
• The teeth and gums may be sensitive. Rinse with warm salt water.
• If the temporary bridge comes off, please call the office to have it replaced, or the teeth may shift causing the bridge to fit incorrectly.
• After the permanent bridge is place, Theteeth may be temperature sensitive for a few days.
• Brush the bridge like normal teeth.
• Floss under the bridge with floss threaders or super floss.
• The bite should be assessed in the first 48 hours. If it does not feel
  balanced it should be adjusted as the bridge will not ‘wear down’ .

Root Canal Therapy

• An antibiotic and some pain medication may be prescribed. If antibiotics are prescribed it is important that you take the prescription, as prescribed until it is done. Use pain medication as needed.
• It is normal for the tooth will be sore to bite on for one to two weeks.

Note:  Over time, a tooth that has had root canal therapy becomes brittle. It is recommended that a crown be placed to protect the tooth from fracture.

After Oral Surgery

Do’s

• After the procedure and before the anesthesia wears off, take an over-the-counter pain reliever (ie.: Advil) as directed by your dentist
• Slight bleeding is normal. If excessive bleeding occurs, apply firm pressure to the  area with a moistened gauze pad for 20-30 minutes (repeat as often as needed).
• On first day of recovery, apply ice packs over the jaw (two minutes on, two minutes off) for six to eight hours. This minimizes swelling.
• Eat only soft, nourishing foods until you can chew without difficulty (eg. milk,  pureed vegetables, cream soups, gelatin, yogurt applesauce, pasta, and eggs)
• Begin rinsing with warm salt water (or prescribed rinse) 24 hours after the  procedure
• Rinse after meals and before bed for up to 1 week after procedure
• Sleep with head slightly elevated
• Take medication as directed, if prescribed antibiotics, take them to completion.
• Take time to rest and relax

Don’t

• Do not disturb the treated area with your tongue or toothbrush, and avoid chewing with that area
• D0 not eat or drink until the anesthesia has worn off
• Do not use straws to drink liquids, as suction may affect the treated area by removing the clot and delay the healing process
• Do not smoke for 24-48 hours after an extraction
• Do not eat or drink anything that is extremely hot or cold
• Do not consume any alcohol for 1 week after procedure
• Do not bend over or do any activity that causes you to lower your head
• Do not rinse or brush your teeth for 24 hours after procedure