Post-Op Instructions
 

Post-Operative Instructions for Dental Filling

1. Numbness:  If you were given anesthesia, expect numbness in your lips, tongue, and cheek. Avoid hot beverages and foods until the numbness wears off to prevent burns or injuries.
2. Sensitivity: You may experience some sensitivity cold for a few days after the restoration. This is normal and should gradually improve.
3. Biting Discomfort:  If you notice any changes in your bite or discomfort after restoration,the tooth likely needs a small adjustment to the bite. Please reach out to our office to schedule an appointment.
4. Pain Management: If you feel discomfort, take over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended by your dentist. Follow the dosage instructions on the package.
5. Oral Hygiene: Maintain your usual oral hygiene routine.  Brush and floss as usual unless directed otherwise by your dentist.
6. Follow-Up Care: If you have any concerns about the filling or experience prolonged pain, sensitivity, or swelling, contact our office for further evaluation.
7. Schedule Your Next Visit: Don’t forget to schedule your next dental check-up to maintain optimal oral health.

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Post-Operative Instructions for Crown and Bridge

1. Numbness: If you were given anesthesia, expect numbness in your lips, tongue, and cheek. Avoid hot beverages and foods until the numbness wears off to prevent burns or injuries.
2. Eating/Drinking: Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, and hot foods for 24 hours after crown insert as these can interfere with the bond strength of cement.
3. Temporary Restoration Care: If you received a temporary crown or bridge, avoid sticky or hard foods, and be gentle when chewing. If temporary is lost, tooth shifting may result and this can delay completion of treatment. While this is NOT an emergency, please call the office within 24 hours if your temporary crown comes off.
4. Sensitivity: You may experience some sensitivity in  your tooth and gums for a few days after the restoration. This is normal and should gradually improve. If you are experiencing significant sensitivity to cold or heat, this may indicate additional treatment is needed.
5. Biting Discomfort:  If you notice any changes in your bite or discomfort after restoration, the tooth likely needs a small adjustment to the bite. Please reach out to our office to schedule an appointment.
6. Pain Management: If you feel discomfort, take over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended by your dentist. Follow the dosage instructions on the package. If you experience gum or soft tissue discomfort, warm salt water rinses are recommended. If discomfort lasts longer than a week, please reach out to the office for follow up care
7. Oral Hygiene: Maintain your usual oral hygiene routine.  Brush and floss as usual unless otherwise directed by your dentist. Floss with care around any temporary restorations.
8. Follow-Up Care: If you have any concerns about the filling or experience prolonged pain, sensitivity, or swelling, contact our office for further evaluation.
9. Schedule Your Next Visit: Don’t forget to schedule your next dental check-up to maintain optimal oral health.

Post Surgical Instructions

1. ACTIVITY: After leaving the office, relax for the remainder of the day. Keep your head elevated and sleep with 2-3 pillows the first night after surgery. Avoid strenuous activity for several days. Sunbathing should be avoided for two days after surgery to avoid swelling and fatigue. Avoid smoking as it will delay healing. Also avoid alcoholic beverages while taking the prescribed medications.
2. DIET: For the first few days, soft food can be eaten. Try to avoid spicy, crusty, acidic or seedy types of food. Chewing should be done on the side opposite the surgical site. Although it is necessary to maintain a relatively normal diet throughout the course of healing, it may be necessary to eat soft foods for several days. Do not use a straw, as suction can cause bleeding.
3. SWELLING/DISCOMFORT: Swelling/discomfort can be minimized by the use of ice/cold packs in 15 minute intervals for 24-48 hours after surgery. Some swelling may be present the day after surgery and usually peaks at 48 to 72 hours. This should disappear after 6 to 7 days. Cool/cold liquids and soft foods only for 24 hours after surgery. Discomfort is expected and is usually controlled with the medications prescribed. The discomfort usually will disappear shortly after the sutures have been removed and the dressing changed. You may experience a feeling of slight weakness during the first 48 hours.
4. BLEEDING: There should be minimal bleeding after the surgery is completed. There may be a red discoloration of the saliva for several hours. If there is considerable bleeding, apply uninterrupted pressure to the inside of the mouth for 20-30 minutes. Use moist gauze or a moist tea bag to apply pressure over the surgical area. If there is no change in the amount of bleeding contact your doctor.
5. CARE OF DRESSING: If a dressing has been placed over the surgical site, avoid the area as much as possible. The dressing is primarily for your comfort and to protect the surgical area during healing. Should the dressing or a portion of the dressing become loose or come off and there is no discomfort, healing will proceed provided the area is cleaned with the prescribed rinses.
6. ORAL HYGIENE: It is important to maintain a normal level of oral hygiene in the non-operated areas by brushing and flossing. Where there is dressing, brush the tops of teeth lightly and apply prescribed rinses with cotton swab or by holding the rinse in place for 30-60 seconds. Warm salt water rinses can be used in the same manner starting 36 hours after surgery and will expedite healing.
7. MEDICATIONS: Please follow the instructions for any medication prescribed. If adverse reactions to those medications occur, such as nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions please discontinue the medication and contact your doctor. To avoid medication side effects, such as upset stomach, take medication with food.

CONTACT INFORMATION

PREMIER DENTAL GROUP OF WELLESLEY. P.C. 781-237-3031