Post-Operative Instructions
Please read our post-operative instructions for the following commonly-performed dental procedures. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 630-984-9850.
Tooth Extraction:
Some discomfort after the extraction is normal. An over-the- counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, is usually sufficient. Follow the tips below to relieve discomfort:
1- You can decrease pain and swelling by applying an ice pack – 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off – for the first six hours following the extraction.
2- A blood clot will form on the extraction site, and this clot is vital to the healing process. To keep the clot intact, avoid touching the extraction site with your tongue.
3- Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery.
4- Avoid eating or drinking anything hot on the day of your extraction. Also, do not rinse your mouth and do not use a straw for drinking. Do not spit and do not drink carbonated beverages. Do not brush on the day of the surgery; you can gently resume your brushing and flossing the day after.
5- Smoking and allowing food particles to pack into the tooth’s socket should be avoided, as both will significantly affect the healing process.
5- For children who have had an extraction done, make sure they don’t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).
6- Please take all the medication you have received based on the provided instructions.
6- During the first 2-3 days after surgery a diet of soft food and liquids is recommended (soup, yogurt, milkshakes and juice).
If you experience persistent pain and discomfort, please call our office. We can give you a prescription for a stronger pain reliever, if needed.
Fillings:
Follow the tips below to keep your mouth comfortable after having a filling, and to ensure that your filling sets properly:
1- Your lips, teeth, and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment after anesthetic use. Avoid chewing anything until the numbness has completely worn off.
2- If you are supervising children who had fillings done, make sure they don’t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).
3- It’s normal to experience some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity for a few days after your appointment. This usually subsides within a few days. If it persists or increases, call us.
4- Don’t chew hard foods—and don’t chew directly on new silver fillings—for twenty-four hours following the appointment. If possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth. You may chew right away on white fillings, because they set completely on the day of the appointment.
5- Your gums may be sore for several days. Rinse three times a day with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) to reduce pain and swelling.
If you persistent pain or sensitivity for more than a few days after the fillings, if your bite feels uneven or if you have any questions, please call our office.
Crowns and Bridges (also Inlays and Onlays):
Crowns and bridges usually take 2 or 3 appointments to complete. On the first appointment, the tooth/teeth are prepared, impressions are taken, and a temporary crown is placed on your tooth/teeth.
1- You may experience sensitivity, gum soreness, and slight discomfort on the tooth/teeth; it should subside after the placement of the permanent crown(s).
2- Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.
3- A temporary crown is usually made of plastic-based material or soft metal. It can break if too much pressure is placed on it. The crown may also come off; if it does, save the crown and call our office. The temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth and prevent other teeth from moving. If it comes off it should be replaced as soon as possible. To avoid losing your temporary, do not chew on sticky or hard food (chewing gum, ice). Try to chew on the opposite side of the temporary as much as possible.
4- Continue your normal brushing but be careful while flossing around the temporaries (remove the floss gently from the side). If it is difficult to get the floss between the temporary and surrounding teeth, refrain from flossing until you receive your permanent crown.
5- After the permanent restoration is placed you may feel slight pressure for a few days. Also, the bite may feel different for a day or two. But if after 2-3 days the bite still feels uneven or if you feel discomfort when chewing on the tooth, call our office. Delaying the necessary adjustments may damage the tooth permanently.
Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.
Root Canal Treatment:
Root canal treatment often takes two or more appointments to complete. A temporary filling or crown is placed to protect the tooth between appointments, but you should take the following precautions to protect your tooth and ease any discomfort.
1- Your lips, teeth, and tongue may be numb for several hours after appointments in which we’ve used an anesthetic. Avoid chewing anything until the numbness has completely worn off.
2- If a temporary filling has been placed on your tooth; do not bite on the tooth for one hour and while you are numb.
3- To protect the tooth and help keep your temporary filling or crown in place, avoid eating sticky or hard foods (especially gum), and if possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth.
4- It’s normal to experience some discomfort including moderate pain and sensitivity to pressure on your tooth, especially when chewing. Take pain medication as recommended to help with the discomfort. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.
5- You may feel gum soreness for few days after your treatment. The healing process may take several days but the pain and discomfort should subside gradually.
6- To further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water).
7- Continue your brushing and flossing.
8- Also, until the permanent restoration is placed, be very gentle with the tooth. Try to chew with the opposite side. Follow up with the placement of your permanent restoration as you have been advised. Any unnecessary delay in placement of final restoration may damage the tooth permanently.
Please call our office if your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent swelling or pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns.
Teeth Cleaning (Deep Cleaning):
1- You may experience some cold and heat sensitivity (especially after deep cleaning).
2- If you have received anesthesia do not eat anything until the numbness has worn off.
3- Continue your regular brushing and flossing.
4- Some bleeding for a day or two after cleaning is normal, but if you experience any excessive bleeding call our office.
Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.
Implant Surgery:
1- You may experience some discomfort and bleeding the day of the surgery.
2- Take all medication that was prescribed for you according to instructions.
3- Apply an ice bag on your face over the surgical site on the day of surgery for 10 minutes on and 5 minutes off.
4- Keep your next appointment on time for removal of sutures and follow up checks.
5- DO NOT raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the treated area.
6- DO NOT brush teeth near the surgical site. Brush teeth in the rest of your mouth.
7- There is often a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area and the tooth may feel loose.
8- Do not smoke, spit, or use a straw on the day of the surgery (avoid smoking for a few days after the surgery).
Please do not hesitate to call our office anytime, should an emergency arise. In case of serious emergencies call 911.
Denture Delivery:
1- You will experience some discomfort with any new denture for a few days. All new dentures need several adjustments to completely and comfortably fit your mouth.
2- You should take the dentures out every night and keep them in a clean container filled with water or denture cleaning solution. Your gums need to rest and be without the dentures every day for a period of time.
3- Clean dentures thoroughly with a brush and water before putting them back in your mouth.
4- It may be difficult to talk normally with the new dentures for a few days. One way to practice is to read a book or newspaper out loud for a period of time everyday. Your tongue and muscles will get used to the new dentures and you will talk normally very soon.
Call our office if you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or if you have any questions.
