Call: (203) 758-2116
Home Care Instructions
After Crown & Bridge Appointments
Crowns and bridges usually take two appointments to complete.
In the first visit, the tooth or teeth are prepared and either a digital impression record or a traditional impression with a carrying tray is used to capture the shape of your teeth.
The doctor will then place a temporary crown or bridge on the prepared tooth or teeth to protect them while a custom restoration is made by a lab. Your custom crown will usually be ready 30 days following your first visit.
The doctor will administer a local anesthetic before he starts preparing your tooth or teeth for the crown. Your tongue, lips and roof of your mouth may be numb when you leave our office. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off.
Occasionally a temporary crown may come off. Call us if this happens and bring the temporary crown (whole or broken) with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary crown to stay in place, as it prevents other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration. In fact, if the temporary is off too long, the final crown may not fit at all and a new impression would be required with possibly extra cost.
To keep your temporary crown in place, chew on the opposite side of your mouth during the entire time the temporary is in place. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary, but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.
It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few days or even a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild over-the-counter pain medications may also be used as directed by 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 at (203) 758-2116. We are here for you!
After Oral Surgery
Medications
Fill your prescriptions.
If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.
If you are not allergic, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Advil (ibuprofen) or a combination of both as directed by our office for pain relief. We often recommend two Advil and two Tylenol every five hours. These over the counter medications are best taken with food. Please note that these drugs may cause drowsiness. Therefore, you should not operate machinery, cars, etc. or consume alcohol.
Activity
We insist on no physical exertion during the twelve hours following the procedure. It is normal to feel tired after the surgery. Rest and good nutrition will help accelerate the healing process.
Bleeding
- Do NOT SMOKE, rinse or swish out for 24 hours!
- Do NOT drink hot liquids for 24 hours!
- Do NOT drink through a straw for 24 hours!
After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That is the reason we ask you to continue to bite on gauze pads for 1 ½ hours after leaving the office.
Rest with your head elevated. Some slight bleeding is expected and you may repeat biting on gauze pads. It is important that the gauze be placed directly over the extraction/surgical site and not over the adjacent teeth. Be sure that the gauze pads are bulky enough to prevent the upper and lower teeth from touching when biting firmly.
If bleeding is persistent, place a dry tea bag (NO herbal tea) on the surgical site and bite to apply pressure for one hour.
It is normal for your saliva to be blood tinged for 24-48 hours.
Swelling
Swelling is not uncommon after surgery and it usually subsides 24-48 hours after surgery.
To reduce swelling, you may apply an ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn to your face over the surgical area.
Apply the ice pack within the first hour and continue for up to 24 hours.
We recommend a schedule of 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off.
After 24 hours, warm applications may help you feel more comfortable.
If you have been instructed to take a steroid medication to reduce the swelling, take as directed.
Mouth Rinse
Do NOT rinse or swish out your mouth for 24 hours after surgery. After 24 hours, mix 1 rounded teaspoon of table salt in about 5 ounces of warm water and rinse gently once every 2 hours (while awake) and after meals. This can be continued for 3-7 days or more if directed.
Diet
Do NOT drink hot liquids or drink through a straw for 24 hours.
You may begin to drink liquids in the first few hours after surgery. Start with clear liquids (water, ice chips, ginger ale, sport drinks) and then progress to milk products as tolerated. Fluids are important prior to taking any medications as they help to minimize nausea.
Eat a soft yet normal diet for 3-4 days. Choose nutritious foods such as yogurt, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, bananas, juices and soups. Consider juicing vegetables and grinding meats.
Avoid hard foods that require chewing or that have small pieces, i.e. granola, nuts, rice, popcorn, etc. as they could enter the surgical site and break up the blood clot. A broken or dislodged clot can lead to “dry socket” which is painful and delays healing. A “dry socket”, when it occurs, is usually 2 to 3 days after the surgery, and should be reported to our office.
Hygiene
Continued good oral hygiene is important. After 24 hours, gentle thorough brushing and flossing is advised. Avoid the surgical area for several days. When tooth brushing, take a large mouthful of water, roll head around (don’t swish, just bathe) and let water and toothpaste FALL out of your mouth.
Fever
You may experience a low grade fever following surgery which is normal and should not be cause for alarm.
Stitches
If non-absorbing sutures have been placed, they must be removed by this office in 7 days. Avoid disturbing the sutures.
Contact our Office
Call us promptly at (203) 758-2116 if you have any questions or doubt regarding these instructions, or if you are experiencing difficulties. We are here for you.
After Composite (Tooth Colored) Fillings
When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after your appointment. Avoid chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lips while you are numb.
You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off. Composite fillings are fully set when you leave the office.
It is normal to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. If you are not allergic, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Advil (ibuprofen) or a combination of both as directed by our office 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 at (203) 758-2116. We are here for you.
Care of your New Dentures
Always remove your denture nightly.
After removing the denture – brush with a denture brush and toothpaste, then soak overnight in a denture cleaner of your choice.
If you have a partial denture (containing metal) use only an overnight cleanser specifically for partials.
In the morning, brush and rinse denture before wearing.
Dentures should always be removed and cleaned and rinsed after every meal.
If you have had recent tooth extraction, you should expect the denture to gradually become looser over the next 6 – 9 months. A liner of denture acrylic will be necessary.
After Gingival Grafts
Do not smoke for 24 hours.
Pain Management
If you are not allergic, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Advil (ibuprofen) or a combination of both as directed by our office for pain relief. We often recommend two Advil and two Tylenol every five hours. These over the counter medications are best taken with food. Please note that these drugs may cause drowsiness. Therefore, you should not operate machinery, cars, etc. or consume alcohol.”
Bleeding
A slight oozing of blood will occur over the next few hours. Remember this is normal and that a small amount of blood in saliva looks as if it were a lot.
Hygiene
Do not brush or floss the surgical area.
Food
Avoid chewing on the side of the surgery until the stitches are removed.
Prescriptions
You may have been given a prescription for a mouth rinse. It is imperative that you use this medication properly. Rinse with one half capful as the last thing before bed and rinse again after cleansing your mouth after breakfast. Antibiotics may also have been prescribed/ you must finish as directed.
Questions
Do not hesitate to call with any concerns. We are here to help make your recovery as uneventful as possible. If necessary, call us at 203-758-2116.
Caution!
Moving of graft area may cause it to fail. Do not pull lip out to view grafting site.
After Bone Grafts
Do not smoke for 24 hours.
Rinse often with warm salt water (One rounded teaspoon salt to 4-5 oz of water) 12 hours after surgery, then as often as possible until your next appointment. Do swish gently then let water fall out of mouth (do not spit).
Pain Management
If you are not allergic, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Advil (ibuprofen) or a combination of both as directed by our office for pain relief. We often recommend two Advil and two Tylenol every five hours. These over the counter medications are best taken with food. Please note that these drugs may cause drowsiness. Therefore, you should not operate machinery, cars, etc. or consume alcohol.”
Bleeding
A slight oozing of blood will occur over the next few hours. Remember this is normal and that a small amount of blood in saliva looks as if it were a lot.
Hygiene
Do not brush or floss the surgical area. You may gently brush biting surfaces of teeth near surgical area.
Food
Following surgery only soft, cool, or warm (not hot) foods (yogurt is a great choice). Avoid chewing on the side of the surgery.
Prescriptions
You may have been given a prescription for a mouth rinse. It is imperative that you use this medication properly. Rinse with 1/2 capful, as the last thing before bed and rinse again after cleansing your mouth after breakfast. Antibiotics may also have been prescribed/ you must finish as directed.
Follow Up
You will need to have a post operative check in one week
Questions
Do not hesitate to call with any concerns. We are here to help make your recovery as uneventful as possible. If necessary, call us at 203-758-2116.