Post-Service Guide
Post-Service Care Instructions
Your Guide to a Healthy Recovery
Root Canal Therapy:
- Avoid chewing on the treated tooth for a few days to reduce tenderness.
- Pain or soreness may last up to a week; take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed.
- If swelling persists or worsens, contact our office immediately.
- Maintain your usual brushing and flossing routine.
- A crown may be recommended to strengthen the treated tooth, as it can become brittle over time.
Temporary Crown:
- The temporary crown protects your tooth until the permanent one is placed. Handle it with care.
- If the crown dislodges, reattach it with denture adhesive or a flour-water paste, and contact our office for an appointment. Do not leave it off, as the tooth may shift.
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure is normal. Take ibuprofen for discomfort, and call us if the crown feels too high.
- Rinse with warm salt water to soothe gum tenderness.
- Avoid hard or sticky foods to prevent damage to the temporary crown.
- Use a Q-tip or proxabrush with hydrogen peroxide to reduce gum inflammation around the crown.
Crown Lengthening:
- Take prescribed medications as directed.
- Week 1: Avoid brushing the surgical area; rinse gently with lukewarm salt water after eating.
- Chew on the opposite side and follow a soft food diet.
- Apply a cold compress (5–10 minutes on/off) for the first 48 hours to minimize swelling. Use moist heat after 48 hours if needed.
- Week 2: Clean the area gently with a Q-tip dipped in Chlorhexidine rinse.
- Maintain regular oral hygiene for unaffected areas.
Immediate Denture Care:
- Stitches and Healing: Stitches will dissolve on their own within a few days unless otherwise instructed.
- Wearing Your Dentures: Do not remove your dentures today; we will remove and adjust them during your follow-up. After this, clean them after meals and at bedtime.
- Discomfort: Mild soreness from tooth removal or denture pressure is normal. Contact us for adjustments if you develop sore spots.
- Medication: Take all prescribed antibiotics and use pain relief as needed.
- Swelling: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth to reduce swelling for the first 24–48 hours.
Adjusting to Your Dentures:
- Your dentures may feel bulky at first and slightly alter your speech, but this will improve as you adapt.
- Gum and bone shrinkage will occur during healing, with most changes happening in the first 6–18 months. A reline after six months will improve the fit and function of your denture.
Extraction and Bone Graft:
General Care for Extraction
- Bleeding: Bite on gauze for 30 minutes. Afterward, change gauze every 20 minutes until bleeding stops. If bleeding persists after 1 hour, bite on a damp tea bag for 30 minutes with your head elevated.
- Clot Protection: Avoid spitting, smoking, drinking through a straw, or vigorous rinsing for 48 hours to prevent dislodging the blood clot and causing dry socket.
- Pain Management: Take anti-inflammatory medication (e.g., Advil or Motrin) before the anesthetic wears off.
- Swelling and Bruising: Apply ice packs for 20 minutes on/off for the first 24 hours. Switch to heat after 24 hours to reduce pain and swelling.
- Oral Hygiene: Rinse gently with salt water starting the day after surgery. Brush and floss other areas as usual but avoid the extraction site until it begins to heal.
- Diet: Stick to soft foods for 2–3 days. Avoid nuts, seeds, chips, or anything that could lodge in the surgical site for 3 weeks to a month.
- Activity: Rest and limit strenuous activity to minimize bleeding.
Bone Graft Care
- Granules: It’s normal to notice small granules in your mouth for several days; this does not affect the graft’s success.
- Wound Care: Avoid touching or applying pressure to the graft site with your tongue or fingers.
- Sutures: Dissolvable sutures will dissolve within 5–7 days. If they fall out, it’s not a cause for concern.
- Prostheses: If you were given a flipper, retainer, or denture, confirm with your doctor when it is safe to wear them. Adjustments may be necessary.
- Healing Time: Bone grafts take 3–4 months to heal. Contact us with any concerns.
Night Guard Appliance:
Care Guidelines
- Run under hot water for 30 seconds before use.
- Wear only at night unless instructed otherwise by your dentist.
- Ensure the appliance fits securely. Call our office if it feels loose or shows unusual wear, such as grooves.
- Brush and floss your teeth before wearing to avoid trapping debris or plaque.
- Clean after each use by rinsing with cool water and using a soft toothbrush. Avoid hot water to prevent distortion.
- Periodically soak the appliance in denture cleaner (e.g., Polident) to prevent staining and bacteria buildup.
- Bring your appliance to regular checkups for evaluation and adjustment.
Avoid
- Eating or drinking while wearing the appliance.
- Exposing it to boiling water or attempting to alter it yourself.
- Allowing others to use your custom-fitted appliance.
- Leaving it where pets, especially dogs, can access it.
Your New Restoration
Care Guidelines
- Anesthetic: If local anesthetic was used, avoid biting your lips, cheeks, or tongue. Wait until the anesthetic wears off (2–3 hours) before eating or drinking. Resume a normal diet once it has worn off.
- Sensitivity: Mild sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure is normal for up to 6 months, especially with larger restorations. If sensitivity worsens or doesn’t improve, contact our office.
- Bite Check: If your restoration feels “high” or your bite feels uneven after the anesthetic wears off, call us for a quick adjustment to prevent irritation.
- Pain Management: For deep restorations, we may recommend anti-inflammatory medication (e.g., two tablets with meals for 2–3 days) to help the tooth recover.
Additional Information
- Restorations are designed to prevent future issues, but some teeth may still require further treatment (e.g., root canal, crown, or extraction) if they don’t respond well.
- Contact us if you experience persistent discomfort, sensitivity, or any unusual symptoms.
