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Composite Fillings

For composite fillings, you most likely will receive a local anesthetic, which might numb your tongue and lips for several hours. When you leave the dental office, avoid eating anything and don’t drink any hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off, so you won’t accidentally bite or burn your tongue or mouth. Once the numbness is completely gone, you can immediately eat and drink again without any restrictions.

Some sensitivity to heat, cold or pressure is normal after the procedure. You might also experience some soreness at the site of the anesthetic injection. We recommend that you take Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours) to manage the tenderness and pain. If the sensitivity or pain persists or gets worse, or if your bite feels uneven, please contact our office as soon as possible, so we can help you resolve the issue.

Crowns and Bridges

Placing a crown or bridge usually takes two or three appointments. During your first visit, we will prepare your teeth and take molds of your mouth. You will most likely receive a local anesthetic, which will numb your tongue, lips and the roof of your mouth. We recommend that you don’t eat anything and stay away from hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off.

During that initial appointment, you will receive a temporary crown or bridge to protect the affected teeth while your custom-made restoration is being prepared. Avoid chewing gum, refrain from eating sticky or hard foods and try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth to keep your temporary crown or bride in place. While you’re wearing the temporary restoration, it is still important that you brush your teeth properly; however, you should floss carefully, so you won’t dislodge the temporary crown or bridge. If your temporary crown comes off, don’t worry. Just simply call us as soon as possible to make an appointment, and bring the crown with you, so we can reattach it until your permanent restoration is ready. It is crucial that your temporary crown or bridge stays in place, so your other teeth won’t move and compromise the fit of your final restoration.

Sensitivity to temperature and pressure is normal after each appointment but should wear off a few weeks after your final restoration has been placed. In the meantime, we may recommend some mild pain medications. If the sensitivity persists, if you experience continuing pain, if your bite feels uneven or if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call us immediately, so we can resolve the issue.

Cosmetic Reconstruction

After cosmetic reconstruction, your bite might be altered or the position of your teeth is changed. It will take some time until you get adjusted to your new bite since your brain will need to get used to the new positioning or the thickness of your teeth. If you feel high spots or issues with your bite don’t improve, call our office to make an appointment, so we can make any necessary adjustments.

Just as it is the case with most dental procedures, it is also normal to experience soreness and sensitivity to heat and cold for a few days after the removal of tooth structure. Your teeth and gums will require some time to heal. If your gums feel sore, we recommend salt water rinses three times a day to reduce the pain and swelling. Simply combine a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water, and gently rinse your mouth. You can also take mild pain medications, like Tylenol or Ibuprofen, to help ease any remaining discomfort.

If your speech is affected for a few days, don’t be alarmed. Again, your brain will need some time to adapt, but you’ll be back to speaking like your old self again in no time. You may also experience increased salivation during the first week, which is the result of your brain’s response to the new size and shape of your teeth.

You should treat your new teeth just like you’d take care of your natural teeth. Avoid any hard or sticky foods that could crack, chip or damage your new teeth, including nuts, peanut brittle, candy or ice. Also, don’t chew on your fingernails or hard objects. Refrain from smoking, coffee, red wine, tea, berries and anything else that could stain your reconstruction. If you play sports or grind your teeth, let us know, so we can provide you with a mouth guard. Most importantly, however, you need  to thoroughly brush and floss every day. Proper dental home care in combination with professional cleanings are crucial for the long term success of your new dental work.

Adjusting to the new look and feel of your smile will take some time. If you have any questions, issues or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Tooth Extraction

After a tooth extraction, a blot clot needs to form to stop the bleeding, so the healing process can begin. We generally ask our patients to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If there’s still bleeding or oozing, simply place another gauze pad on the affected area, and bite down firmly for another 30 minutes. You might have to repeat the process several times before the bleeding stops.

After the blot clot has formed, it is important that you don’t dislodge it as it is crucial for the healing process. Only rinse your mouth carefully, and don’t suck on straws, don’t smoke and refrain from drinking alcohol for 72 hours. You should also refrain from exercising for 24 hours after the tooth extraction as this may increase your blood pressure and could cause more bleeding.

Pain and swelling are normal after an extraction. We recommend that you apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas or corn to the outside of the affected area to keep the swelling to a minimum. You should notice improvements after 48 hours. We can also recommend medications to relieve any pain you might experience. If you receive antibiotics, it is important that you take them as prescribed, even if your condition and the infection improve.

The day after the extraction, you should drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft foods to aid the healing process. You can return to your normal eating habits as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. Proper dental hygiene will also speed up the healing process. That’s why it is important that you brush and floss your teeth again 24 hours after your tooth was extracted.

It will only take a few days until you can continue with your regular activities. If you experience heavy bleeding, severe pain, a reaction to your medication or continued swelling for more than 2-3 days, please call our office immediately.

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