Post-Operative Care

Crown and bridge follow-up
Tooth extractions
Composite (white) fillings

Crown and bridge follow-up

Crown and bridgework is completed in two or three sessions. Initially, the teeth are prepared and a mold is made of the mouth. Temporary crowns and bridges are inserted to protect the teeth before work is started. The teeth will be anesthetized. As a result, several areas of the mouth will feel numb. Please, don't eat or drink anything hot, until the numbness goes away.

Precautions for temporary crowns and bridges:

• Contact us if temporary crowns become loose. Bring them to the office.
  
• Avoid eating sticky or hard food.
  
• Carefully brush and floss. Avoid pulling up the floss, which could dislodge the temporary.
• Sensitivity to temperature and pressure changes is normal. This should subside, in a few weeks, after the final restoration is done. Please contact the office about using mild pain relievers and other concerns.

Tooth extractions

After tooth extractions, a blood clot needs to form for the healing process to begin.

After the appointment: Bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

After the blood clot forms:

• Do not dislodge the clot
  
• During the next 72 hours, avoid deep rinsing, using straws, smoking, drinking alcohol, or brushing your teeth.
  
• Limit exercise (which could increase blood pressure and bleeding at the site of the extraction).
  
• Pain and sensitivity is normal. Apply an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables to the area. It may take 48-72 hours for swelling to diminish.
  
• Call the office about pain relievers and antibiotics.
  Make sure these are taken exactly as prescribed.
  
• During the first 24 hours, drink plenty of fluids and eat soft foods. Resume a normal diet as you become more comfortable.
  
• Continue to maintain good dental habits and exercise as your condition improves.

Composite (white) fillings

After the appointment, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours. Avoid
hot beverages and food until the numbness subsides. You may experience hot, cold, and pressure changes. The gums and injection areas may feel sore.

For pain, take one tablet of ibuprofin, motrin, tylenol or aspirin every 4 hours as needed. Contact the office if you continue to experience pain or sensitivity, after a few days.

As the anesthetic wears off, you can begin chewing. Your complete fillings are in place.