CROWN & BRIDGE

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER CROWN OR BRIDGE APPOINTMENT

  • It is normal to feel some cold sensitivity and tenderness around the gum for the first few days.

  • If you were given anesthetic, avoid eating solid food until the numbness goes away to prevent biting your tongue or the inside of your cheek. 

  • AVOID chewing hard, sticky foods, gum or even bread with the temporary crown to prevent it from coming loose.

  • If your temporary crown becomes loose or feels uncomfortable, please contact us so that we can may see you as soon as possible. It is important that the temporary crown (or bridge) is in place to protect your tooth and to prevent shifting of other teeth.

  • Please do not attempt to glue the temporary crown back.

  • Brush with your normal routine, but floss with care. While flossing, pull the floss from the side of the tooth instead of snapping it back up. 

  • For the best outcome, is important to brush and keep your gums as clean as possible. 

  • Contact our office if you have any other concerns.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR NEW CROWN OR BRIDGE

Now that your crown or bridge has been placed, there are a few things to consider. 

  • At first, you may experience some sensitivity, but it should improve after a few days.

  • If after a few of days your bite doesn’t feel normal, please call our office for a quick adjustment. 

  • It is very important to maintain excellent oral hygiene with your new crown or bridge in order for it to last a long as possible. Crowns and bridges can still get cavities near the gum line just like a natural tooth.

  • Regular brushing and flossing is a must. Additional use of a fluoride rinse at home and regular professional fluoride applications help to prevent cavities from forming. 

  • All of our best crowns and bridges are very strong and color stable but they still have potential to fracture the same as a natural tooth. As a rule of thumb, don’t do anything with a crown or bridge that you wouldn’t do with a natural tooth. DO NOT CHEW ICE! The extreme temperature change greatly increases the fracture of porcelain and natural teeth.


SCALING & ROOT PLANING

CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCALING AND ROOT PLANING (DEEP CLEANING)

If you were given anesthetic, avoid eating solid food until the numbness goes away to prevent biting your tongue or the inside of your cheek. 

Please wait two hours after the procedure before eating, and eat only soft food for the next 2-3 days.

  • It is normal to feel some sensitivity and tenderness around the gum for the first few days.

  • Avoid hot spicy foods and alcohol until the gums have healed.

  • Do not use tobacco products for at least 3 days.

  • Brush the area lightly with a soft brush after the first night

  • Wait 48 hours to use a mouth rinse. Instead, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water after your appointment can help to alleviate discomfort or swelling.

  • If prescribed, take the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms have subsided.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DISCOMFORT

  • Take a pain reliever before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended.

  • Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water).

  • Contact our office if you have any other concerns.


EXTRACTIONS

CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR TOOTH EXTRACTIONS WITHIN THE FIRST 24 HOURS

Bite firmly onto the provided gauze pads for at least 20 minutes and replace the gauze until most of the bleeding has stopped. Some blood afterwards is normal for the next two days.

  • Avoid drinking through a straw, spitting, sucking onto candy, smoking, or anything that can have negative pressure. Do not rinse your mouth (but you can gently gargle), and do not brush or floss in the area for the next 24 hours.

  • Do not use any tobacco products for at least 3 days.

  • Try to control sneezing and coughing with allergy medications if necessary.

  • Do not participate in vigorous activity, and elevate your head when lying down. Sleeping in an upright position can help reduce swelling in the first two days.

  • Please avoid hot, carbonated, or alcoholic beverages and hot or spicy foods.

  • After the numbness has subsided, eat only soft foods or liquids, drink plenty of fluids, and chew away from the site if possible.

  • It is normal to feel some sensitivity and tenderness around the extraction site for the first few days.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DISCOMFORT

  • Take a pain reliever before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended. Ibuprofen is recommended for both pain and inflammation.

  • Use an ice pack over the area to minimize swelling, applying it for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the next two days

AFTER 24 HOURS

  • Brush and floss as usual, with extra care around the extraction site during the first week.

  • If prescribed, take the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms have subsided.

  • Apply moist heat to any swelling & rinse with warm salt water.

  • Contact our office if you have any other concerns.


ROOT CANAL THERAPY

POST-OP FOR ROOT CANAL THERAPY

  • If you came in with a toothache, your root canal therapy should provide some relief, remove the source of the infection, and promote healing.

  • It is not uncommon for your tooth to be tender after a root canal, it is best to avoid biting down on this tooth for the next few days to allow proper healing.

  • If you were given anesthetic, avoid eating solid food until the numbness goes away to prevent biting your tongue or the inside of your cheek. 

  • Take a pain reliever before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended. Ibuprofen is recommended for both pain and inflammation. 

  • If prescribed, take the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms have subsided.

  • It may take a week or more for the tooth to return to “normal.” Infections take time to heal, and any pain or discomfort should be alleviated with time.

  • Contact our office if you have any other concerns.


FILLINGS

HOME CARE AFTER RECEIVING FILLINGS

  • White fillings set completely immediately after they are placed. Once you are no longer numb, you can chew as you would normally.

  • If you were given anesthetic, avoid eating solid food or drinking hot liquids until the numbness goes away to prevent biting or burning your tongue or the inside of your cheek. 

  • Take a pain reliever before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended. Ibuprofen is recommended for both pain and inflammation. 

IF YOU HAVE ANY DISCOMFORT

  • It is normal to experience sensitivity to heat, cold, and pressure after fillings are placed. You can try to use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth (i.e. Sensodyne) until the sensitivity subsides. Your gums may also be sore for several days.

  • Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help to alleviate discomfort or swelling around the gum line.

  • It may take a week or more for the tooth to return to “normal.”

  • If soreness or sensitivity continues for more than a week or if your bite feels uneven, please call our office.


IMPLANTS and BONE GRAFT

CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMPLANTS AND BONE GRAFTS WITHIN THE FIRST 24 HOURS

  • Your body will go through several stages of healing over the next few weeks. During that process, the healing process will not look pretty. In an effort to let your mouth heal properly do not pull your cheek or lips to look at the healing cause it might interrupt the healing process or pull out your stitches. Bite firmly onto the provided gauze pads for at least 20 minutes and replace the gauze until most of the bleeding has stopped. Some blood afterwards is normal for the next two days.

  • Avoid drinking through a straw, spitting, sucking onto candy, smoking, or anything that can have negative pressure. Do not rinse your mouth (but you can gently gargle), and do not brush or floss in the area for the next 24 hours.

  • Do not use any tobacco products for at least 3 days.

  • Try to control sneezing and coughing with allergy medications if necessary.

  • Do not participate in vigorous activity, and elevate your head when lying down. Sleeping in an upright position can help reduce swelling in the first two days.

  • Please avoid hot, carbonated, or alcoholic beverages and hot or spicy foods.

  • After the numbness has subsided, eat only soft foods or liquids, drink plenty of fluids, and chew away from the site if possible.

  • It is normal to feel some sensitivity and tenderness around the extraction site for the first few days.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DISCOMFORT

  • Take a pain reliever before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended. Ibuprofen is recommended for both pain and inflammation. If you were prescribed additional medications, please take as prescribed.

  • Use an ice pack over the area to minimize swelling, applying it for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the next two days

AFTER 24 HOURS

  • Brush and floss as usual, with extra care around the extraction site during the first week.

  • If prescribed, take the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms have subsided.

  • Apply moist heat to any swelling & rinse with warm salt water.

  • Contact our office if you have any other concerns.


CONSCIOUS SEDATION

HOME CARE POST SEDATION

Please refer to your print out provided after your appointment for detailed after care instructions. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact our office.

  • Please have a responsible adult accompany, provide transportation, and supervise you until you have fully recovered from the effects of the sedation. You may not drive or operate potentially dangerous equipment.

  • As soon as you are able, encourage fluid intake. Begin with clear liquids (water, Gatorade, soda, fruit juice, and popsicles), and advance as tolerated to a regular diet. Encourage as much liquid intake as possible to reduce occurrence of nausea and vomiting, a common side effect of sedation medications. If vomiting occurs, do not be alarmed, this is normal. Wait 1 hour to let the stomach calm down before trying again with water. Keep all liquids and food at room temperature.

  • The first meal should be something light and easily digestible. Avoid dairy and spicy foods.

  • For adults: NO alcohol and NO smoking for the first 12 hours.

  • Do not engage in moderate to high activity for 12 hours, or until the effects of the sedation subsided completely. Since judgement may be impaired during this time, do not make critical decisions until fully recovered.

  • After the sedation appointment, you will be drowsy. The duration and depth of drowsiness varies with each patient. To avoid falling off a bed or sofa, it is recommended to place a blanket on the floor and sleep there. You should sleep on your side with a pillow supported behind your back and with your chin pointed away from your chest. This will help maintain adequate airway during sleep and if vomiting occurs. A responsible adult should arouse you ever 1-2 hours for the first 6 hours after sedation to ensure a smooth recovery.

  • Muscle aches, tired jaw muscles, and nausea are common after anesthesia and usually resolve themselves within 24-36 hours. Supplemental oral pain relievers may be provided or recommended.

CLEAR ALIGNERS

  • What do SureSmile® aligners do?

    • SureSmile® aligners move your teeth into a more desirable position. Each aligner is slightly different to the next, meaning that each aligner is progressive towards your finished result.

  • Wearing your SureSmile® aligner

    • When wearing your SureSmile®, it should fit like a glove over your teeth. You should change your aligners every 10-14 days as instructed by your provider. Do not change sooner or your teeth will become very sensitive and your aligners will not work as well as they should. When fitting your SureSmile® aligner, always make sure you look into a mirror so that you can correctly position the aligner. Once your aligner is in the correct position, simply use your fingers to push against the plastic and the aligner will click into place.

    • In the first few days your speech may be altered and you may produce extra saliva. This will reduce with time and practice, reading out loud for 5 to 10 minutes a day will help you get your speech back to normal again. A good idea would be to read this pamphlet out loud to yourself.

  • Removal

    • When removing your SureSmile® aligner, always use your index fingernails to pull downwards on the back of the aligner. To remove the lower, use your thumbs and push up. Ensure that you always remove from the back of the SureSmile® aligner, this will make your aligner last longer. If you remove from the front you run the risk of putting too much pressure on the aligner and your teeth.

  • Day to day wear

    • You will wear your SureSmile® aligner/s full time (at least 22 hours a day). This means that you leave your aligner in place for sleeping and talking. The only times you may remove your aligner is when you are cleaning your teeth, playing a contact sport, eating, swimming or drinking anything but water. Do not remove it to drink water.

  • Cleaning

    • Your SureSmile® aligner should be cleaned every day with a soft toothbrush and warm running water (not hot water). The best time to clean your SureSmile® aligner is usually when you brush your teeth, as you will be near a sink and the aligner needs to be removed anyway. As you will be wearing your SureSmile® aligner full time, rinse your aligner under running water in-between brushing after meals. Make sure you always use cold or luke warm water to clean your SureSmile® aligner. Hot water will distort it.

  • Additional Info

    • Please remember that not wearing your SureSmile® aligner will mean your teeth will not move according to your treatment plan. If an aligner is misplaced and needs to be re-made, a charge may be incurred. . We suggest you keep the previous trays of your teeth safe at home. It is your responsibility to care for your teeth models at home. Any replacements may incur a fee, so please take good care.