Composite Fillings
Please do not eat or drink anything hot until the numbness wears off. We do not want you to accidentally bite your cheek, tongue, lip, etc., and hurt yourself.
For the next several days, please stay away from extreme hot or colds. Any time a filling is done, your tooth can be overly sensitive. Give your body a chance to get back to normal and allow the nerve to calm
You may notice increased sensitivity to hot and cold food and liquids. This is normal and can last 3 to 4 weeks, and sometimes longer depending on the size and depth of the cavity. However, if the pain worsens with each passing day, please contact the office.
No two cavities are alike and therefore no two fillings are alike. Just because a filling you had placed in the past wasn’t temporarily sensitive, doesn’t mean something is wrong if a recently placed one is.
If you notice any “high spots” or bite irregularities, please contact our office for a simple bite adjustment. While you’re numb, it is difficult to get the perfect bite. Waiting to get an adjustment can cause sensitivity, so make sure to call for an adjustment immediately!
You may find some excess pieces of white or clear filling material in your mouth afterward. Do not worry, the integrity of the filling is fine, this is just some “flash material”, which is unbonded pieces of material that may have gotten stuck around your gums and between your teeth during placement of the filling.
Temporary Fillings
A temporary, or “sedative” filling, is placed for multiple reasons. The most common reason a temporary filling is placed is when there is concern that the nerve may be inflamed once the decay has been removed. This type of filing is placed to soothe an inflamed. This helps reduce the chance that a tooth may need a root canal.
Crown and Bridge
Crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays, usually take two or three appointments to complete. On the first appointment the teeth are prepared. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Be careful while eating or drinking anything hot until the numness wears off
On rare occasions temporary crowns come off. That is because it has been cemented with a temporary cement. If this happens give us a call so we can recement it your earliest convenience. Keep the temporary so we can re-cement it.
It’s normal to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. To help keep your temporary in place, avoid eating sticky foods (especially gum). It is important to continue to brush normally, but floss very carefully and remove the floss from the side to prevent removal of the temporary crown.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office.
Cleanings
While most patients experience very little discomfort or symptoms after scaling and root planing, exceptions can occur. If you have moderate discomfort the soreness can increase for two to five days after the scaling and root planing and can linger longer. Most discomfort can be controlled by 600-800 mg (3-4 tablets) of ibuprofen taken every 6 hours as needed. Be sure to take all pain medications on a full stomach or with meals to minimize nausea.
Do not be concerned if traces of blood are noted in the saliva for several hours after the procedure. If heavy bleeding occurs, apply direct pressure to the area using moist gauze or a moistened, standard tea bag for at least 45 minutes. It is critical that you remain seated and inactive while applying pressure to control bleeding. If continuous, excessive bleeding occurs, please contact the office
Meticulous oral hygiene should be instituted at least twice a day after the scaling and root planing. Gentle rinsing after meals with a solution of one teaspoon of salt to one 8 oz. glass of warm water will often be soothing to the gums and help with healing. Rinsing helps flush out the debris which collects around the teeth.
Tooth sensitivity following scaling and root planing is very normal. It is usually related to the surgical cleaning, but can also be related to inadequate plaque removal. It is very important to be very meticulous with your plaque control procedures.
Oral Surgery or Extraction
Pain
A certain amount of pain following surgery is to be expected. For persistent pain use the medication prescribed. Always take pain medication with food.
Bleeding and Swelling
Some bleeding is to be expected. Bite into the gauze/apply firm pressure, which was placed over the surgical area, do not open and close your mouth. Leave the gauze in place for 30 minutes.
If slight bleeding continues, it usually can be controlled by simple biting pressure with a gauze for 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary.
If bleeding continues after the above measures, soak a tea bag in cold water then wrap it in a gauze. Place it firmly in the area of bleeding. Lying down with your head elevated can also be a benefit. Apply an ice bag to the cheek for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for today only. If there is swelling tomorrow, do not use ice. Begin applying warm, moist heat to the area. Avoid hot liquids. If you are unable to control bleeding or swelling please call us as soon as possible.
Rinsing
Do not rinse, spit, smoke, or suck through a straw until the next morning. These activities may dislodge the blood clot, cause bleeding, and delay healing. These factors also increase your risk of dry socket.
Starting the day after surgery, gently rinse with salt water after meals to flush out food particles which may lodge in the extraction site. (1 teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water) Continue this for at least three days after the extraction. If you are unable to rinse out of the food particles, stop by the office for a syringe. Do not pick at the extraction site. You may resume brushing as normal on your other teeth, just avoid the extraction site.
Diet
Do not chew on solid food while you are still numb. Eat light, soft foods, with as much fluid intake as possible. As soon as possible, change to solid foods, to help you heal faster. When you do eat, try to avoid the extraction site as much as possible.
Sutures/Stitches
Dissolvable stitches are used unless otherwise noted, and they normally fall out/dissolve over the next seven days.
Possible Side Effects
Slight Bleedings- control as instructed above.
Swelling- may be quite large for 4-5 days; control as instructed above.
There may be a slight elevation in your temperature for 24 – 48 hours. If a temperature continues, please call us. There might be a slight earache or jaw soreness due to having your mouth open for an extended period of time.
If the corners of you mouth are stretched, they may get dry and crack temporarily. Keep you lips moist with Chapstick or Vaseline.
Numbness may persist. This is usually a temporary condition and will gradually disappear in a few days to several weeks as the nerve tissue is repaired.
Black and blue bruising may occur on the outside of the face. This is not unusual and make take a week or more to resolve.
Root Canal Therapy
Following a Root canal, it is common to experience some discomfort in the area. It is normal for the tooth to be uncomfortable for 2-3 days. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, the tooth and surrounding tissues may remain sore for a few weeks post treatment. This is the body’s way of healing, and everyone heals at a different rate.
-Your jaw may also be sore from staying open for a prolonged time,
-You may be sore at the injection sites
It is normal for the temporary filling to feel different, this is not your permanent restoration.If your bite feels uneven please let us know as soon as possible.
We recommend you take: 600 mg Ibuprofen (3 over the counter pills of Advil or Motrin or generic equivalent)
If you are given any prescription medications related to this treatment please take them as instructed by your doctor.
Following a root canal, it is often recommended to return for a crown. A crown protects the tooth from fracturing, along with protecting the tooth from getting a new infection.
Please don’t hesitate to call our office if you have any concerns or questions.
Whitening
Congratulations on your bright smile!
You may experience some tooth sensitivity during this period. Patients will often describe the sensitivity as a sporadic zing, that usually lasts for the first 24 hours. Toothpaste such as Sensodyne may also help eliminate some of the sensitivity sensations. 200-400mg of Ibuprofin often helps to decrease sensitivity. Should you experience discomfort not alleviated by Ibuprofin, please contact us.
For the next 24 hours, dark staining substances should be avoided, such as:
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Coffee and tea
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Red wine
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Lipstick
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Tobacco products including smoking
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Soy Sauce
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Toothpaste with color
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Mustard or ketchup
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Berries including pie
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Coke products
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Red sauces such as A1
For the next 24 hours, substances that may be consumed are:
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Milk, water, clear soda
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Bananas, apples (no peel)
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White bread, flour tortillas
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Oatmeal, cream of wheat
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White rice, baked potatoes
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Plain pasta and white sauce
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Turkey, chicken (no skin), white fish
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Plain yogurt, white cheeses, sour cream, cottage cheese
Additional ways to maintain your sparkling! Smile:
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Avoid staining-related habits
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Use an automated toothbrush
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Seek regular professional hygiene care to maintain oral health
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Practice good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing
For the next 48 hours, dark staining substances should be avoided, such as:
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Red wine, Cola, Coffee and tea
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Berries such as cherries, blueberries, strawberries
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Tobacco products
Scaling and Deep Cleaning
Most patients will not experience any post op sensitivity after a cleaning or deep cleaning. However, exceptions can occur. Any discomfort can be often be controlled by 600-800 mg (3-4 tablets) of ibuprofen taken every 6 hours as needed. Be sure to take all pain medications on a full stomach or with meals to minimize nausea.
Small amounts of blood may be found in the saliva for the next 24 hours following a cleaning. That is normal. Constant gauze pressure is the best way to stop bleeding. The use of a moist tea bag is also a very effective way to control any bleeding. Tea has tannic acid in it, an excellent astringent, helping to stop bleeding. If you can not stop bleeding or you think it is excessive, contact our office.
Excellent oral hygiene should be instituted and maintained after your cleaning or deep cleaning. If the gums are too sensitive too brush right away, warm salt water rinses help soothe the gums while they are healing.
Tooth sensitivity following a deep cleaning is normal, especially if a surgical deep cleaning was performed. The use of sensodyne tooth-paste before your cleaning, and for two weeks there-after will help control sensitivity. If sensitivity persists, please give us a call to discuss other ways to help decrease any sensitivity.
After your cleaning the most important thing is maintenance. Get on a mission to make your mouth pristine.
An implant placement and or sinus/bone graft is a surgical operation. The following are temporary side effects as they are part of the normal healing process after this surgery:
Bleeding, swelling, and bruising
Blood thinning medications (baby aspirin, Coumadin, plavix, etc.) can increase this
nose bleed
discomfort
throbbing
difficulty opening your mouth, eating, speaking
Do Not:
smoke
perform vigorous exercise for 7-14 days
drink excessive amounts of alcohol for 3-5 days
drink through a straw for 24 hours
Lift or pull your cheek to look at the sutures
blow your nose holding both nostrils
Spit for 24 hours
* Blowing your nose, spitting, hard rinsing, and other similar activities can cause the blood clot or bone graft to dislodge. The blood clot acts as your body’s protective band-aid. This can cause increased bleeding and pain
*If you sneeze or blow your nose, do so with your mouth open to lessen the pressure.
Sudafed or Olbas oil (available at your local pharmacy) will help if your nose feels blocked
Bone grafting
It is normal to feel some small particles over the course of the next several days. These are excess bone particles from the graft.
If bleeding continues, bite on gauze for 30 minutes with continuous pressure. After 30 minutes, remove the gauze. If the area is still bleeding, apply new gauze to the area for an additional 30 minutes until the bleeding stops. In addition, you can wrap a tea bag around the gauze and bite to help control bleeding.
Certain sutures used will dissolve on their own of the course of several weeks but are usually removed at your follow up appointment
If you have a denture, leave it out as much as possible for the first two to three weeks. It is important that the denture does not press on the graft. Swelling may cause the need for adjustment of the denture during the healing phase.
Pain relief
600-800 mg of Ibuprofin is recommended
In some instances a stronger pain reliever may be prescribed. Do not drink or drive on such medications. Nausea is common with such medications
Oral hygiene
Oral hygiene is key to success.
Use the prescribed Peridex mouth rinse 2-3 times daily until your follow up appointment.
Clean the rest of your teeth as usual
Cosmetic Reconstruction
Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed it takes several days for the brain to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, call our office at 212-382-3782 so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.
It is normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. The teeth require some time to heal after removal of tooth structure and will be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 3-4 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.
Don’t be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. You’ll quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivation. This is because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside to normal in about a week.
Daily brushing and flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning appointments.
Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils) and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.