After Crown and Bridge Appointments
Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. During the first visit, the teeth are prepared, and mouth molds are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Since the area will be anesthetized, the mouth's tongue, lips, and roof may also be numb. Please refrain from eating or drinking hot beverages until the numbness disappears.
Occasionally, a temporary crown may come off. Call us at (919) 859-5459 if this happens, and we will schedule an appointment for you. The temporary needs to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from shifting or compromising the fit of your permanent restoration.
To keep temporary restorations in place, avoid eating sticky or hard foods, chewing gum, and, if possible, chewing on the opposite side of your mouth. It is essential to brush and floss as usual. Try not to pull up on the floss (which may dislodge the temporary), but instead, pull the floss out from the side of the restoration.
It is expected to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. This should subside after the placement of the permanent restoration. Mild over-the-counter 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 (919) 859-5459.
After Tooth Extraction
After an extraction, a blood clot must form to begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If 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 essential not to disturb or dislodge it as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush your 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 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 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 at (919) 859-5459 if the medication doesn’t work. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the extraction day. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
It is important to resume your regular 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 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.
After Fillings
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.
After your appointment, it is expected to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity. 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 increases sensitivity to hot or cold.
You may chew with your composite (tooth-colored) fillings when the anesthetic completely wears off since they are fully set when you leave the office.
You should wait 24 hours to chew with an amalgam (silver) filling. Chew on the other side of your mouth for 24 hours.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at (919) 859-5459.
