Cosmetic Reconstruction Aftercare
It takes time to adjust to your new smile after a reconstructive procedure. Your brain will readjust over a few days to your teeth’s new shape &/or alignment.
After mainly procedures, your teeth will be more sensitive to things like hot & cold. Your gums may also be sore for a few days depending on what was done.
Rinsing with warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will reduce pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain medication is usually enough to deal with any discomfort..
You may also find you have difficulty speaking as you normally would. Again, your brain is adjusting to the changes from your procedure & this will wear off quickly.
As always, to prevent tooth decay, regular brushing & flossing is a must. Combined with regular cleaning appointments, you’ll be sure to get the most out of your treatment & your smile overall.
Any food that can damage a natural tooth can do the same to implants, crowns or veneers. Avoid hard foods & substances such as hard candy & be sure to drop any bad habits like chewing on your pen! Staining can also affect treated areas similarly to natural teeth, so avoiding smoking or excess amounts of drink like coffee, wine will keep your smile at its whitest.
We are here to help you live the life you want while maintaining your dental health. If you’re especially active in more contact activities, we’re happy to make a mouthguard that is custom fit for your new smile.
Crown & Bridge Aftercare
Crowns & bridges can take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared & molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made.
You may experience numbness just after a treatment. Remember to avoid food & drink that is especially hot or cold, as you may be unable to feel whether it is too much.
In the unlikely event that a crown falls off, be sure to contact us immediately to schedule an emergency appointment. We’ll get you in right away to repair your crown. If you can, lean the crown & keep it in a safe container to bring to the office. We may be able to reattach it.
Again, avoiding sticky food is a good way to maintain your crown, especially if you are wearing a temporary one between procedures. Favoring the affected side of your mouth can also help at this stage. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully & don’t pull up on the floss. Doing so may dislodge the temporary crown. Pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown instead.
It is normal to experience some temperature & pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.
After Tooth Extraction
After tooth extraction, it’s important to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. This will help a clot form to begin the healing process. You may need to do this a few times.
After the clot forms, don’t disturb or dislodge it. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot & slow the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure & may cause the site to reopen.
After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain & experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen food will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after two days.
If antibiotics are prescribed, take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs & symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
It is important to resume a healthy regular dental routine after 24 hours. This will speed healing & help keep your mouth fresh & clean.
After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for two to three days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.
After Composite Fillings (White Fillings)
When an anesthetic has been used, your lips & tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Remember to avoid food & drink that is especially hot or cold, as you may be unable to feel whether it is too much.
You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office.
Injection sites may also be sore & you may feel some sensitivity to pressure. Over-the-counter pain medications work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office.
