Post-Op Instructions

Extraction:

1. Pressure should be placed on the gauze pad that has been put over the extraction site for one hour. If the bleeding continues new gauze should be placed and pressure applied for another 45 minutes.
2. If you are supervising 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).
3. 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.
4. You may experience some pain, bruising around your lips, and/or some swelling, especially after extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. Ice bag application and medication prescribed for you will help to minimize your discomfort.
5. 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).
7. For more complex surgical procedures, including Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction, Implant Surgical Procedures, etc: you will receive an ice wrap which should be worn for the rest of the day until you go to bed on the day of surgery (10 minutes on and 5 minutes off). Instructions for various surgical treatments will have some unique directions, which will be supplied to you at the time of your treatment.
8. Call our office if you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain or swelling, or if you have any questions or concerns. In case of serious emergencies call 911.

Fillings:

1. Do not eat on your new filling for one hour and until your numbness is gone.
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. Do not bite hard or chew on fillings for 24 hours.
4. You may experience cold and heat sensitivity and some gum soreness; this usually subsides within a few days.
5. Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort for more than a few days after the fillings, or if you have any questions.

Crowns and Bridges:

1. 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.
2. You may experience sensitivity, gum soreness, and slight discomfort on the tooth/teeth; it should subside after the placement of the permanent crown(s).
3. Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.
4. 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 crown, do not chew on sticky or hard food (chewing gum, ice and the like). Try to chew on the opposite side of the temporary crown, as much as possible.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.

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.
5. Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.

Invisalign:

1. Make sure you have the proper aligner. “U” for upper and “L” for lower in the proper number sequence. Each aligner is labeled with either a “U” or “L”.

2. When inserting, gently push the aligners over your front teeth. Then, apply pressure to the tops of the left and right molars until they snap into place. DO NOT bite your aligners into place.

3. Make sure each aligner is ALL THE WAY DOWN and fully seated. You should not see any space between the edge of the tooth and the edge of the aligner.

If the aligner is not fully in place, the teeth will not move properly, and the next aligner will be even further off.

• To remove the aligners, pull off equally on both sides of the back teeth first, and then gently lift off the front teeth. Always rinse the aligners in cold water and store in the proper container.

4.  We recommend you wear your aligners 20-22 hours, day and night. The only time the aligners should be taken out is when you are eating and drinking something other than water, brushing and flossing, or cleaning them.

5. Wear each set of clear aligners for a minimum of 10 days, or as directed by our dentist. It is very important that you never goto the next aligner in less than the directed amount of time. Even though it may seem that the current aligner is loose and no longer moving your teeth, it takes longer for the roots to catch up with the crown of the tooth.

6. If you miss some days for any reason, pick up where you left off and wear the aligners for the full 7 day minimum.

7. Always place the aligners in the cases provided. Never place aligners in napkins or any other case. Never place it in a pocket that can be sat on.

8. Save the last aligner you used in your case in case something happens to your current aligners.

9. If you lose an aligner, call our office right away. There may be a charge for damage or lost aligners.

10. Clean your aligners prior to each insertion. You can use a normal toothbrush or electric toothbrush and soapy water. Rinse under running water and brush until clean.

11. Never use or soak in alcohol or bleach, as they will be damaged.

12. Do not place aligners in hot water to clean, as they will be damaged.