If you have recently received treatment in our office, please refer to the following post-op instructions for care following your visit. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call our office.
Composite (White) Filling Post-Operative Instructions
- When an anesthetic 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 easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while numb.
- Your new fillings are fully hardened before you even leave the office; again though, it is wise to chew on the opposite side from the location of the newly placed filling(s) until the anesthetic has worn off.
- You may take any over-the-counter pain reliever for tenderness or discomfort. You may take Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen (Tylenol or Advil) unless you are allergic to these medications or have a medical condition that would prevent you from taking these medications. This will help with any soreness at the injection sites where your anesthetic was administered.
- It is normal to experience some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Hot or cold sensitivity may linger for several weeks after the placement of the fillings. Usually, these symptoms will subside over time.
- One of the most common problems following filling placement with anesthesia is an incorrect bite. If your bite feels uneven, please call our office so we can get you scheduled to correct your bite.
Crown & Bridge Post-Operative Instructions
- While you are numb, be careful not to bite your cheek, tongue, or your lip. You may want to avoid chewing on this area especially on hot foods and liquids until the numbing completely wears off.
- Some irritation of the gum tissue along with the anesthetic injection site may result in some soreness for a few days.
Final Restorations
- If an appointment to place the final restoration has not been made, please call the office to schedule this appointment. Endodontically treated teeth have been weakened by previous decay and fillings. It is necessary for these teeth to receive additional protection in the form of a cast restoration (crown). This will protect these teeth against future fracture and decay and protect the root canal filling from possible contamination. Delay in obtaining a final restoration may result in fracture and/or possible loss of the tooth or require retreatment or a root canal.
Permanent Crown Or Bridge
- Sensitivity to hot and cold is common for a few weeks after cementing your crown or bridge. If sensitivity does occur, we recommend avoiding extreme temperature changes on your new crown or bridge.
- Your crown or bridge may have a different texture than your original tooth and maybe contoured slightly differently. After a few days, your mouth will become completely accustomed to it.
- As with the temporary, if the bite does not feel comfortable, please contact us for a simple adjustment.
- Proper brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleaning and exams are necessary to maintain your final crown or bridge.
Root Canal Post-Operative Instructions After Treatment
- Please wait to eat or drink on the affected side until after the numbness has worn away. Please do not chew or attempt to eat on the affected side while you are still numb.
- Discomfort or soreness in the area is normal for a few days (or even weeks) and ranges from mild to severe. The gums may be sore, and the tooth is often tender to biting or chewing. You may take any over-the-counter pain reliever for tenderness or discomfort.
- You may take Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen (Tylenol or Advil) unless you are allergic to these medications or have a medical condition that would prevent you from taking these medications. Discomfort in the area in no way affects the successful outcome of treatment.
- If antibiotics and/or pain medications were prescribed, please take them as directed. If you were given a prescription for pain, it is meant to help you with more serious discomfort only for a couple of days. In the unlikely event that swelling, fever, or severe pain should occur, please call the office promptly.
Temporary Crown Or Bridge
- You have just received a temporary that will serve you for a short period of time while your custom permanent crown or bridge is being made. This will protect the tooth and hold the tooth in position so the permanent crown or bridge will fit properly.
- The size, shape, and color of the temporary may differ from the permanent crown or bridge.
- Your temporary is not strong. It may break or come off occasionally. Avoid chewing hard or sticky food on your temporary.
- Temporary cement is used so that the temporary can be easily removed at your next appointment. If your temporary comes off between appointments, call us to have it recemented.
- Brush softly and floss carefully around your temporary. When flossing around your temporary, slide the floss out between your teeth rather than snapping it up between the teeth. It is important that the gum tissue remains healthy, or we may not be able to seat your new crown or bridge.
Temporary Filling
- A temporary filling has been placed in the entry made into your tooth. It is normal for a thin layer of the temporary filling to be chewed away between appointments. An unusual taste can be expected. Should the temporary filling come out, please call our office. It’s important that your temporary filling stays intact until the placement of a permanent restoration.