What was that she told me about my fillings yesterday?? Is this normal what I'm feeling after I had my tooth extracted??How long did she say to wait before eating?
In trying to be as helpful and informative as possible, we realize that we may overwhelm you with information. The following home care instructions give our patients accessability to the information we provide them. Please feel free to contact us at 614.891.2008 if you have any questions. We hope that your experiences with our office are the greatest and appreciate your referrals.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR TEMPORARY CROWN OR BRIDGE
Your tooth has been prepared for a crown or several teeth have been prepared for a bridge. Your temporary crown/bridge is cemented with temporary cement so it will come off easily when we place the permanent one.
We will make every effort to have your crown or bridge back from the lab within 2-3 weeks. Your temporary must remain in place to prevent any possible movement of this prepared tooth. This will ensure that the permanent crown or bridge will fit properly. It is important that the temporary crown be left on only for a minimal amount of time (3-4 weeks) in order to maintain tissue health and avoid tooth movement. Please make sure to keep your “seat” appointment to avoid having to have the procedure redone at possible additional expense.
Your tooth may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold as well as to pressure. Over-the-counter Ibuprofen or Tylenol should be able to manage this discomfort in the few days following the procedure. In the event that the tooth becomes extremely painful, contact our office to evaluate the tooth.
Please note the following guidelines for keeping your temporary on while waiting for your permanent one.
1. Try to avoid extremes of hot and cold foods.
2. Totally avoid sticky or hard foods like gum, ice, or tough meats that could pull off your temporary.
3. Brush carefully and do not snap floss upward from the tooth as it will dislodge the temporary.
In the event the temporary should come off:
1. SAVE IT! Should we not be in the office, place some a pea size amount of tooth paste into the crown and try to position it correctly on the tooth (until your bite feels good).
2. Call the office when the temporary comes off so that we may recement it. The sooner it is replaced, the less chance there is of tooth movement.
3. Do not leave your temporary crown or bridge off your tooth for more than 2 days. This could cause your permanent crown or bridge not to fit properly due to excessive movement of the prepared tooth or adjacent teeth. In such a case, the whole procedure may have to be redone.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPOSITE OR "TOOTH COLORED" FILLINGS
Once we have restored your teeth with tooth-colored materials, these restorations will serve you well for several years. The material used contains small “filler” particles of glass-like material for strength and wear resistance. They contain the finest and most up-to-date materials available today. However, you should be aware of the following information about your new fillings.
· Avoid chewing hard foods on the filled teeth (hard candy, ice, etc.) because the filling can break under extreme forces.
· Composite fillings are almost completely hardened while in the dental chair. There is no waiting time to eat, however you may need to use caution if the tooth has been numb.
· Children should be observed until the numbness wears off. Adults should use caution. Due to the strange feeling of the anesthetic, patients may accidentally chew the inside of their lips, cheeks, or tongue.
· The gum tissue and injection site could have been irritated during the procedure and may be sore for a few days.
· The finished filling may be shaped slightly different and have a different feeling than the original or natural tooth. Your tongue usually magnifies this small difference, but you will become “used” to this in a few days.
· If, after a few days, you notice that the filling still does not feel right, contact our office so that we may evaluate the fillings. Most often, the filling requires slight adjusting to fit into the natural grooves of the opposite tooth.
· When a tooth has a cavity the Dentist removes the decay and fills the hole with a filling material which is “tooth colored”, the tooth supports the filling. The ideal filling is no more than 50% of the tooth. If the doctor has indicated to you that the filling placed was very large, a crown may be indicated. A crown covers the entire tooth and holds the tooth together.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXTRACTIONS
- DO NOT DISTURB THE WOUND: In doing so you may invite irritation, infection and/or bleeding. Be sure to chew on the opposite side for 24 hours and keep anything sharp from entering the wound (i.e. eating utensils etc).
- DO NOT SMOKE FOR 48 HOURS (MINIMUM): Smoking will promote bleeding and interfere with healing.
- BRUSHING: Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery.
- MOUTH WASH: Avoid all rinsing for 24 hours after extraction. This is to insure the formation of a healing blood clot which is essential to proper wound healing. Disturbance of this clot can lead to increased bleeding or the loss of the blood clot. If the clot is lost, a painful condition called dry socket may occur. You may use warm salt water or mild antiseptic rinses after 24 hours only if prescribed.
- DO NOT SPIT OR SUCK THROUGH A STRAW: This will promote bleeding and may dislodge the blood clot causing a dry socket.
- BLEEDING: A slightly damp folded gauze pad will be placed on the extraction site and you will be asked to change this dressing every 20 minutes or so depending on the amount of bleeding that is occurring. It is normal for some blood to ooze from the area of surgery. We will also give you a package of gauze to take with you to use at home if the bleeding should continue. Should you need to use the gauze at home, remember to roll it into a ball large enough to cover the wound. Hold firmly in place, by biting or with finger pressure, for about 20-30 minutes. If bleeding still continues, you may fold a tea bag in half and bite down on it. Tea contains Tannic Acid, a styptic, which may help to reduce the bleeding.
- PAIN: Some discomfort is normal after surgery. Analgesic tablets (i.e. Ibuprofen, Tylenol etc.) may be taken under your dentist's direction. Prescription medication, which may have been given to you, should also be taken as directed. If pain continues, call your dentist.
- SWELLING: To prevent swelling, apply an ice pack or a cold towel to the outside of your face in the area of the extraction during the first 12 hours. Apply alternately, 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off, for an hour or longer if necessary.
- DIET: Eat normal regular meals as soon as you are able after surgery. Cold, soft food such as ice cream or yogurt may be the most comfortable for the first day. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids.
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