INFORMATION
FOLLOWING COMPOSITE (White) RESTORATIONS (Fillings)
Children should be observed until the anesthetic
wears off. Due to the strange feeling of the anesthetic, many children
will chew the inside of their lips, cheeks or tongue which can
cause serious damage.
Sensitivity, especially to cold, is
common for a few days following a dental restoration. Usually, the
deeper the cavity, the more sensitive the tooth will be.
Sensitivity is usually most noticeable
the first 12 to 24 hours after the anesthetic wears off.
The gum tissue could have been
irritated during the procedure and may be sore for a few days together
with the anesthetic injection site.
The finished restoration may be
contoured slightly different and have a different texture than the
original tooth. Your tongue usually magnifies this small difference, but
you will become accustomed to this in a few days.
INFORMATION FOLLOWING ENDODONTIC (Root Canal) TREATMENT
Endodontic treatment can take 1, 2 or 3
appointments depending on each case. It is possible to experience any of
the following symptoms after any one of these appointments: sensitivity
to hot and/or cold; sensitivity to pressure; possible swelling.
It is difficult to predict which
symptoms, if any, you may experience and to what extent. In complicated
cases, pain medication may be necessary.
If you experience swelling, call our
office; it may be necessary to prescribe an antibiotic for you.
A temporary filling may be used to seal
the tooth between visits.
Be gentle on the tooth while eating
until the final restoration is placed.
During endodontic treatment, the nerve,
blood and nutrient supply to the tooth is removed. This will cause
the tooth to become brittle and prone to fracturing which can result in
the need to extract the tooth. In many cases a full coverage crown
restoration (cap) may be recommended to prevent this from happening.
INFORMATION FOLLOWING A TOOTH
EXTRACTION
Bleeding - After an extraction, a wet
gauze pack is placed over the extraction site to prevent excessive
bleeding and to promote the healing blood clot. Keep pressure on it for
30 - 45 minutes and replace if bleeding continues. Slight bleeding may
occur up to 2 days. Avoid activities that could apply a suction action
to the blood clot such as smoking or sucking through a straw.
Rinsing - Do not rinse your mouth
today. Tomorrow you can rinse your mouth gently with a glass of
warm water mixed with a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. You can do this every
3 - 4 hours a day, especially after meals.
Swelling - Following an extraction,
some swelling and skin bruising may occur. A cold moist cloth or an ice
bag applied to the cheek will keep it to a minimum. Place on
affected area for about 15 - 20 minutes of every hour for the next 6
hours.
Medications - If non-aspirin pain
medication doesn’t relieve the discomfort you may experience, a stronger
medication can be prescribed. Be sure to use all medications as
directed.
Food - A light diet with plenty of
fluids is recommended the first day. Chewing should be done away from
the extraction site.
Oral Hygiene - Continue brushing and
flossing, but be extra gentle near the extraction site.
Bone Chips - During healing you may
notice small bony fragments working their way through the gums. We can
easily remove them if they are too annoying.
Call our office if any unusual symptoms
occur.
INFORMATION FOLLOWING CROWN OR BRIDGE
TREATMENT
Following the first appointment for a
crown or bridge procedure, a temporary is usually placed on the tooth or
teeth involved. This will protect them while the custom restoration is
being made.
Temporary crowns vary in
size and shade that also serve a cosmetic function for front teeth. Your
final restoration will be shaped and shaded better than the temporary to
match your other teeth in both color and function.
The use of a temporary cement is used
for easy removal on your next appointment. If your temporary comes off
between appointments, slip it back on and call us for an
appointment.
Most crowns fit below the gumline.
Therefore, you may experience some discomfort for a few days due to the
irritation of that area during the procedures. Sensitivity to cold or
pressure is also possible.
After the final cementation of your
fixed restoration, it may take a few days to get used to the new crown
or bridge. If you feel the bite is not correctly balanced, be sure and
call for an appointment for a simple adjustment.
Proper brushing and flossing is
recommended to help you retain your final restoration. The only area
that a crowned tooth can decay is at the edge of the crown at the
gumline.
