Post-Operative Care
Crown Preparation
Today your tooth was prepared to receive an attractive porcelain and metal crown, which will be placed in a few weeks. The tooth will be much stronger than before and able to resist fractures better. Keep in mind that good oral hygiene habits at home will be a major factor in the improved comfort during the time you are wearing your temporary.
Anesthesia:
You will continue to be under the affects of anesthetic for several hours following treatment. The lower arch will most likely stay numb longer than the upper arch. Please use caution when eating or drinking anything while numb. We recommend a soft, moderate temperature diet of eggs, yogurt, ice cream, etc. Avoid hot or hard, chewy foods so that you do not burn or bite yourself during these first few hours.
What you can expect:
- The tissue around this tooth may be tender for a day or so. Warm saltwater rinses will soothe the gum tissues. Ibuprofin can also help with post-operative sensitivity.
- You may have sensitivity to hot or cold with the temporary crown. This is fairly normal.
- Keep the area by your temporary clean by brushing and flossing. Remember to pull the floss out by the side so you don't pop the temporary crown loose.
- Avoid sticky foods such as gum, taffy, caramels, etc. They can pull your temporary crown off.
- Avoid hard foods such as nuts, bread sticks, etc. They can break the crown.
When to call the office:
- Sensitivity to pressure, pain in the tooth that wakes you up, spontaneous pain that occurs when you are not providing stimulus to the tooth such as eating or drinking are all reasons to call the office.
- If the temporary crown does come off, the tooth may be sensitive but it should not ache. You can place a dab of vaseline, toothpaste or polygrip in the temporary and put it back on. Hopefully this will keep the temporary crown in place until you can get in to have us re-cement it.
New Restorations
Today we rebuilt you tooth with an attractive and strong bonded restoration. This replaced an area of decay or a broken or leaking filling. Your restoration is 'set' and should perform well for you once the anesthetic wears off.
Anesthesia:
You will continue to be under the affects of anesthetic for several hours following treatment. The lower arch will most likely stay numb longer than the upper arch. Please use caution when eating or drinking anything while numb. We recommend a soft, moderate diet of eggs, yogurt, ice cream, etc. Avoid hot or hard chewy foods so that you do not burn or bite yourself during these first few hours.
What you can expect:
- Mild sensitivity to temperature can be common with a new restoration. This can be due to the depth of the repair or that the tooth becomes slightly dehydrated during the restoration process. Generally this is a temporary situation that will last just a few weeks, however, a small minority of patients will have sensitivity for several months.
- Occasionally there is soreness in the injection site, which can last for a day or two. Ibuprofin can help with this discomfort.
When to call the office:
- Your tooth is sensitive to pressure.
- You experience pain in the tooth or jaw that wakes you up.
- Spontaneous pain that occurs when you are not providing stimulus to the tooth, such as eating or drinking
Night Guard
Today you received an appliance that should help protect the integrity of several components of your masticatory system including the temporal mandibular joint (TMJ), the tissue and bone around your teeth and the enamel of your teeth and roots.
- Wear according to instructions. For most patients this means you wear it while you are sleeping. For a few of our patients, we recommend that you wear the night guard at all times due to heavy clenching habits.
- Keep your night guard clean by brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste or with mouthwash.
- If you develop a build-up on the night guard, soak it in distilled, clear vinegar.
- The appliance will warp with heat ..do not boil it or leave it on the dashboard of a car.
- Be careful around pets; they are attracted by the odor the appliance develops and they can very rapidly destroy it.
- Don't play with it; they don't flex, they snap.
- Please bring it with you to all of your dental appointments.
Extractions
Most people do very well after a tooth extraction; rarely do we expect any complications. Following these suggestions will make your healing process more comfortable.
- Using steady pressure, bite firmly on the gauze that we placed over the site for 10-15 minutes. Replace it with a new gauze and bite again for another 10-15 minutes. Replace it again, if needed.
- You will continue to be under the affects of anesthetic for several hours following treatment.
- Please use caution when eating or drinking anything while numb. We recommend a soft, moderate temperature diet of eggs, yogurt, ice cream, etc. Avoid hot or hard, chewy foods so that you do not burn or bite yourself during these first few hours.
- You may want to place a towel on your pillow tonight because the site may ooze slightly and stain the bedding.
If this was a permanent tooth:
- Keep the extraction site clean. Beginning tomorrow and for several days, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater 5 or 6 times per day.
- Brush your teeth but not over your extraction site.
Please call the office if you run a fever, develop swelling or have a bad taste from the extraction site.
Scaling and Rootplaning
Today we performed a treatment called scaling and rootplaning. This is a therapeutic procedure that can reduce inflammation, redness and pocket depths in the treated areas. It is important to remember that the deciding success factor in this procedure is establishing excellent oral hygiene habits at home. If you should have any questions regarding oral hygiene support, please contact us.
Anesthesia
You will continue to be under the affects of anesthetic for several hours following treatment. The lower arch will most likely stay numb longer than the upper arch. Please use caution when eating or drinking anything while numb. We recommend a soft, moderate diet of eggs, yogurt, ice cream, etc. Avoid hot or hard chewy foods so that you do not burn or bite yourself during these first few hours.
What you can expect:
- Gum tissue will be slightly uncomfortable and tender for a day or so. Warm saltwater rinses will soothe the gum tissues. Ibuprofin can also help with post-operative sensitivity.
- Occasionally some teeth may feel slightly cold sensitive. Generally this is a temporary situation, however, a small minority of patients experience this sensitivity for months.
- In the areas that respond to the treatment, you should notice the gum tissue looking pink in color (versus red), with less bleeding. The tissue should feel firmer and healthier in those areas.
Thank you for your trust in us. If you have any questions, please call us (952) 440-3222.
|
