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Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Because the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.
Occasionally a temporary crown may come off. Call us if this happens and bring the temporary crown with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration.
To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.
It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at (250) 558-4222.
After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.
After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.
After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.
Use the pain medication as directed. Call the office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at (250) 558-4222.
When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.
It is normal to experience some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office.
You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, as they are fully set when you leave the office.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at (250) 558-4222.
Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered, or the position of the teeth is changed it takes several days for the brain to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, call our office so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.
It is normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. The teeth require some time to heal after removal of tooth structure and will be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 3-4 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.
Don’t be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. You’ll quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivation. This is because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside to normal in about a week.
Daily brushing and flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning appointments.
Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils) and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.
If you engage in sports let us know so we can make a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the nightguard we have provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.
An important part of making the dental implant surgery successful is to follow your dentist’s orders during the post-operative care. It is very important that you take your medications as prescribed, if taken properly these medications will greatly decrease the chances of post-operative complications. If antibiotics are prescribed, make sure you take them until they are ALL GONE.
Following surgery, you may be asked to bite firmly but GENTLY on a gauze pad to stop the bleeding. Change gauze every 20 minutes until bleeding stops. DO NOT CLENCH TOO TIGHT, JUST LIGHT PRESSURE. Do not chew on the gauze, rather keep a steady pressure. Your dentist will give you a package of gauze to take home with you. It is normal to have small amounts of blood in your saliva for the first few days following surgery. You’ll need to phone your dentist if heavy bleeding persists or increases. If bleeding cannot be controlled by biting on gauze and you cannot get ahold of your dentist, a moist tea bag can sometimes help.
You may experience some minor discomfort around the area that can (although rarely) last for several weeks. Over-the-counter Ibuprofen, such as Advil, should make the pain go away, and will also help reduce the swelling. For the first few days following surgery, your dentist may prescribe you a stronger painkiller such as Tylenol #3’s, which you should take as needed for pain in conjunction with Ibuprofen. Once the pain becomes more tolerable, stop taking the T3’s and use Ibuprofen alone as needed. Make your dentist aware if you are unable to take any of these medications.
As soon as possible an ice pack should be applied to the face over the surgical site for 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off, alternating for the first 6 hours following surgery. This is necessary to decrease swelling and discomfort. Place a towel between the ice and your skin. You can continue applying an ice pack for as long as two days following surgery. You need to phone your dentist if swelling becomes significant. Although rare, it is normal to experience some bruising adjacent to the area.
To minimize swelling and bleeding you may want to keep your head elevated for the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the surgery, including when you sleep. You must make sure you relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities for as long as three days following the dental implants surgery. Getting your heart rate up can increase bleeding in the site, so please avoid. No smoking following surgery for at least 72 hours. Smoking delays healing greatly increases the chance of complications, so should be kept to a minimum for as long as possible.
You will likely have stitches placed. Try not to play with the stitches as torn sutures can lead to implant failure. You will need to return to have the stitches removed in 10-14 days, unless told otherwise. You are advised to drink at least eight glasses of water or fruit juice for 2-3 days following surgery. Try to limit your diet to soft foods such as yogurt or soup during the first week of surgery. The worst thing you can do is chew on the surgery site, this can lead to ripped sutures or unwanted forces being placed on the new implant. Also, avoid very hot liquids/soups as this can dissolve blood clots which are needed for proper healing. Avoid drinking through a straw which can disrupt blood clots.
Be gentle brushing and flossing the area; you don’t want to disrupt the healing process. Keep your teeth clean but do not brush/floss directly over the surgical site for at least a week. Do not use your regular alcohol-based mouth rinse such as Listerine/Scope for at least a week, as these are not ideal for the healing area.
Starting 24 hours after surgery, you will be asked to gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water solution – one teaspoon of salt in one cup of water – about three to four times a day to further disinfect the area. Rinse for 20-30 seconds. You must make sure you spit carefully to avoid any complications. Do not rinse vigorously for the first 3 days.
If you have any problems or questions, make sure you call our office at (250) 558-4222 right away. Dr. Bicknell can be reached 24 hours a day, his after-hours phone number can be found on the answering machine.
An important part of making the Soft Tissue Grafting surgery successful is to follow your dentist’s orders during the post-operative care. No brushing the area for 2 weeks. Brush the other teeth as per usual but don’t irritate the surgery site.
Follow a soft diet for 2 weeks – fish or pasta – no chewing at all on the site, we do not want the sutures to tear.
Use a Chlorhexidine rinse for 2 weeks – 4 times a day. Wear splint over roof of mouth – it will heal so much better with proper wear. Do not remove splint for 24 hours if possible to control bleeding. Wear splint full time for 2 weeks, remove for Chlorhexidine rinses and put back in, including while eating and sleeping.
Some swelling or bruising can occur. For the first few days, ice the site to reduce the chance of swelling, especially in the first 6 hours. Ice 20 minutes on – 20 minutes off with towel between skin and ice – a bag of frozen peas or an ice pack works well.
Bleeding should be minimal. If bleeding starts, control by putting pressure over the site with tissue or gauze. Call Dr. Bicknell if bleeding continues.
Take medications as prescribed. Take antibiotics for the full week as prescribed. Take ibuprofen 400mg three times a day for 2-3 days to reduce swelling, then as required for pain. Take Tylenol #3 for pain as required.
If you have any concerns, please call Dr. Bicknell at (250) 558-4222 as soon as possible to discuss. His afterhours contact number is always on the answering machine at the office.