Post Operative Care Instructions

Only chew softer foods in the area of the new filling(s). Treat the tooth as if it were bruised for several days after treatment.

While numb, be careful not to bite or chew your tongue, or the inside of your cheeks or lips.

The gum tissue close to the restoration or at the anesthesia site may be tender for several days. Using a warm salt water rinse several times a day will relieve discomfort and aid in healing.

Healing time may be slow. During the healing process, you may experience pain or sensitivity to biting or hot or cold temperatures. This is normal while the tooth is healing. The sensitivity can last from a few days to several weeks. In cases of deep fillings, sometimes the tooth does not heal on its own and may require additional treatment. Contact us if you feel this is the case.

If the bite feels high after the numbness wears off, contact our office to schedule a quick follow-up appointment.

Crowns and bridges are usually completed in two appointments. You may experience some soreness around the gumline. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day will help speed healing.

A temporary crown is placed on your prepared tooth for protection. In the rare event that your temporary crown comes off or becomes loose prior to you receiving your long-term crown, please call our office immediately. Do NOT leave the temporary off.

Avoid eating sticky foods, gum, ice or other hard foods with your temporary crown in place.

When eating, chew food on the other side of the mouth.

When you receive your long-term crown(s), you may experience hot/cold or pressure sensitivity. Your bite may also feel slightly different; however, if any of these symptoms become worse after several days, contact us so we can see you as soon as possible.

Continue to brush your temporary crown, but refrain from flossing while temporarily cemented to prevent it from falling off.

With bridgework, you may need special floss threaders to clean areas properly. We recommend electric toothbrushes or water flossers to patients with crowns or bridges.

Brush and floss your teeth prior to inserting your trays.

Place a small dot of gel in the middle on the front part of each tooth space. Using too much gel will cause gum irritation and increase tooth sensitivity.

Place the tray on your teeth.

Remove any excess gel from your gum tissue with your finger or a dry toothbrush.

Recommended whitening time is 30 minutes.

Remove trays after using them, and remove any gel left in the mouth with a toothbrush.

Clean trays with a toothbrush and cool water.

Store trays in their case until the next use and keep them away from heat. You can also store any unused gel in the fridge to prolong the shelf life.

Refrain from eating or drinking things that would stain a white shirt, like coffee, red wine, etc.

Wear your night guard every night. It will help protect your teeth from wear and damage from nighttime grinding!

Use a toothbrush to clean your night guard after every use.

Store your night guard in a protective case and away from heat. Keep your night guard out of hot cars and away from your pets.

Bring your night guard to ALL of your dental appointments. At your appointment, we will check the fit and monitor the wear. During any treatment appointments, we will need to check the fit afterward to ensure you are still able to wear it every night.

Invisalign® trays must be worn at least 22 hrs each day with no more than 40 minutes out. If trays are worn any less than 22 hrs each day, movement will not occur as projected.

Each set of trays is to be worn for the amount of time instructed. Each Invisalign® tray is pre-dated accordingly. Before reaching the last set of trays, please make sure you have an appointment set up to pick up more trays as we are currently booked 3-4 weeks out.

Only drink water with Invisalign® trays in. Remove your Invisalign® trays before drinking other beverages or eating food. Rinse or brush teeth afterward.

A travel toothbrush is given to promote brushing when not at home. Keeping up with good oral hygiene is important because this will prevent the trays from becoming traps for cavities. A travel case is also given to keep Invisalign® trays safe. This case is to be kept with the patient at all times. When trays are taken out they should immediately be put in the case because replacing a lost set of trays costs $200. Please avoid putting trays in napkins because they will get thrown away and do not leave trays around animals because they may get destroyed.

Patients must also SAVE the previous set of trays. This set of trays is to be kept in its numbered Invisalign® baggie. Saving the previous set is important because if something does happen to the trays currently in, patients have a set of trays to fall back on; the next trays up may not fit.

When putting in a new tray, always switch at night before going to bed. Most of the movement happens within the first 6-8 hours that the trays are in. Switching trays at night allows this movement to take place without interruptions.