Patient Care

Patient Care Instructions for Onlays, Crowns, Bridges and Veneers

Temporary Onlays, Crowns, Bridges and Veneers

Your tooth or teeth have been prepared for onlay, crown, bridge or veneer restoration. While we are waiting for the permanent restoration to arrive from the laboratory, a temporary restoration has been placed to help cover your tooth and protect it from sensitivity. The temporary restoration also helps to keep teeth from drifting or changing position in your mouth. The temporary restoration may feel rough to your tongue and does not look as nice as the permanent restoration will. Occasionally, the bite feels off after full sensation returns. If your bite feels uneven of if you have persistent pain, an adjustment may be needed. Please call our office for an appointment to adjust your bite.

The day of the procedure - be careful eating.

When anesthesia has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. It is recommended that you take 2 tablets (400mg) of ibuprofen before the anesthesia completely wears off. This will help with any swelling or pain. It will also help diminish any swelling in the nerve that may exist. Do not take ibuprofen on an empty stomach. Do not eat anything sticky, hard or chewy, as this may pull the temporary off or break it. Avoid foods that stain, such as tea, coffee, red wines and berries. Smoking will quickly yellow your temporaries.

It is normal to experience some sensitivity after the appointment.

It is normal to experience some hot, cold , and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Your gums may be sore for several days. Rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water to reduce pain and swelling. (Patients with hypertension should avoid rinsing with salt water; a substitute of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water can be used.) Be careful brushing and avoid flossing adjacent to the temporary restoration. Once permanent restoration in placed, you may brush and floss normally.

Permanent Crowns, Bridges and Veneers

Be sure to check your bite.

Occasionally, the bite feels off after full sensation returns. If your bite feels uneven of if you have persistent pain, an adjustment may be needed. Please call our office for an appointment to adjust your bite.

It is important to change habits to protect your new teeth.

Any food that could chip, crack or damage your natural teeth can do the same to your new cosmetic restorations. Avoid sticky candy or any unusuallyhard foods such as peanut brittle or ice. if you grind or clench your teeth at night, or engage in sports, we recommend you wear a custom mouth guard.

Special note: Please be aware that a small percentage of teeth requiring treatment may require root canal therapy in the future.

Patient Care Instructions Following Scaling and Root Planing

Following scaling and root planing treatment, you can expect to notice less redness, less bleeding and less swelling of the gingiva (gums) tissue. your mouth will taste better and feel better. The health of gingival tissue can then be maintained with proper homecare and regular professional care.

The day of the procedure - be careful eating.

Any discomfort usually dissipates within several hours. When anesthesia has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing or hot liquids until the numbness has completely worn off. Immediately following treatment, do not eat anything that breaks apart into small pieces (ie. nuts, seeds, toasted bread) for 24 hours following appointment. Due to the manipulation required to remove calculus, the gingiva may be loose and debris may lodge under the tissue at this time. Discomfort or pain should not be severe and should subside within a few days. Discomfort immediately after the treatment is usually associated with slight throbbing or aching and occasionally may be uncomfortable.

It is normal to experience some sensitivity after the appointment.

It is normal to experience some hot, cold , and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Your gum tissue may be sore for several days. Rinse your mouth several times a day with salt water to reduce pain and swelling. Patients with hypertension should avoid rinsing with salt water; a substitute of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water can be used. In addition, teeth may be sensitive to temperature changes and/or sweets. The sensitivity to temperature may be noticeable during the first several days and usually diminishes with time. If tooth sensitivity is severe and/or prolonged, professional application of desensitizing agent may be required.

Some bleeding is normal.

Slight bleeding may occur during the next several brushings but the bleeding should steadily decrease. As the gingiva heals, it may change in shape around the teeth. This is part of the normal healing process. If gum tissues are tender, brush your teeth gently but thoroughly; this may take a little more time than normal. By the second or third day, normal hygiene techniques may be resumed. If symptoms are severe or persistent, please call our office.

Patient Care Instructions After New Fillings

The day of the procedure - be careful eating.

When anesthesia has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. It is recommended that you take 2 tablets (400mg) of ibuprofen before the anesthesia completely wears off. This will help with any swelling or pain. It will also help diminish any swelling in the nerve that may exist. Do not take ibuprofen on an empty stomach.

It is normal to experience some sensitivity after the appointment.

Be sure to check your bite.

Special note: Please be aware that a small percentage of teeth requiring treatment may require root canal