After Procedure Home Care Instructions
Fillings
When local anesthetic (sometimes called Novacaine) is used:
-
Numbness can last from 1/2-hour to 3 hours, depending on what area of the mouth the filling was placed.
-
Do not eat or drink hot foods or liquids until the numbness completely wears off because you can bite or burn yourself!
-
We recommend to take a normal dose (as directed on the bottle) of your usual pain relief medication (such as Advil or Tylenol) before the anesthetic wears off in order to eliminate any post-operative pain during the day of filling placement.
Sensitivity of the restored tooth (teeth) can be present from 24 hours to up to 2 weeks, depending upon the tooth’s pre-operative condition (depth of decay). If sensitivity to hot or cold increases in duration and/or intensity, pressure, pain or spontaneous pain on or in the restored tooth–please call us 440-234-9063 to have the tooth evaluated for advanced pulpal problems.
White resin composite fillings are hard enough after placement to eat on once the numbness wears off.
Silver amalgam alloy fillings should not be used to chew hard foods (peanuts, uncooked vegetables & fruits, pretzels, hard candy) for at least 12 hours–eat softer type foods.
Crown or Bridge Treatment
-
At the end of your first appointment for your crown or bridge preparation, a temporary crown is placed on the tooth or teeth involved. The temporary protects the area while the custom made crown or bridge is being crafted. Temporary cement is used so that the temporary can be easily removed at your second appointment.
-
Do not floss on either side of the temporary. You may resume flossing the area after placement of the permanent crown or bridge. If your temporary crown comes off before your next appointment, please put it in a safe place and notify the office.
-
After the preparation appointment, you may notice some discomfort due to irritation of the area during the treatment procedures. You may also experience some sensitivity to cold or pressure. Please take a normal dose (as directed on the bottle) of your usual pain relief medication (such as Advil, Tylenol, etc.) until the area settles down.
-
Your new permanent crown or bridge will be shaped, and if it will be tooth-colored, shaded to your teeth in color and fit. The temporary crown is made to serve you temporarily, so its color and fit are not custom-matched to your teeth.
-
After your new permanent crown or bridge is in place, it will need to be adjusted at least once, preferably within 24 to 48 hours. In order to avoid damaging your new restoration, please limit chewing to soft foods during this period.
-
Care for your new crown or bridge with proper brushing and flossing. It is especially important to keep the edges of your crown or bridge clean at the gumline. Never eat sticky or gummy foods, such as taffy, caramels or regular gum with any crown or bridge; as this could cause a removal of the crown or bridge, which would result in costly recementation or repair. Avoid chewing hard foods (such as hard candies, hard pretzels or ice) with your crown or bridge. If your permanent crown or bridge ever becomes loose, or comes off, please place it in a safe place and notify the office immediately. It is advised to not wear oral jewelry if you have crowns or bridges because they may cause chipping of the porcelain.
-
If your new crowns or bridge are on the front teeth: Do not lever-like pivot, rock or bite into dense, tough foods like fruits with thick skins such as apples, pears; raw vegetables like carrots, celery, cauliflower; hard or thick foods such as hard pretzels or crusty breads such as french bread, bagels or large croutons.
Root Canal Treatment
Your root canal therapy may take several visits to complete. During treatment, Dr. Majcher will remove the diseased pulp, then clean, shape and fill the root canal to prevent recontamination.
-
Cleansing the root canal system may cause inflammation of the tissue surrounding the tooth. You may experience some discomfort for a few days. Sometimes it takes several days for symptoms to develop. The tooth may throb or be sensitive to bite or touch.
-
A normal dose (as directed on the bottle) of your usual over-the-counter pain relief medication (such as Advil or Tylenol) usually alleviates the discomfort. If you are prescribed an antibiotic to help control infection, it should be started immediately and be taken as directed until gone. An ice pack placed on & off the outside of the cheek may also help.
-
Sometimes your gum will be red and swollen if a clamp was used around the tooth during the procedure. This is within normal limits of the treatment. Severe pain that keeps you awake at night or pain not helped by medication should be reported to the office. You should also call us if you develop swelling or if prior swelling worsens.
-
Avoid chewing or biting directly on the treated tooth until Dr. Majcher replaces the temporary filling. If the temporary filling is lost, call our office so that we may arrange to replace the temporary.
-
Brush and floss normally, unless directed otherwise. Take any prescribed medications only as directed.
-
Remember!! Your root canal is not finished. It is very important that you return to our office for completion. Failure to do so can result in the loss of your tooth! Once your root canal is completed, it is then very important to return for a final filling or crown.
Retreatment may occasionally be necessary. Even though the pulp of the tooth was removed, the tooth is still nourished from the surrounding tissues. As with any living tissue, treatment is occasionally unsuccessful and a re-treatment, or removal of the tooth may be necessary.
Simple Extractions
-
Keep the gauze in place for about 30 minutes. If bleeding persists, bite on additional gauze which was given to you.
-
Do not rinse your mouth out until tomorrow.
-
Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction site.
-
Eat soft foods on the day of the extraction and avoid sharp foods for a few days. Drink fluids freely, but without a straw.
-
Refrain from smoking on the day of the extraction.
-
Take a normal dose (as directed on the bottle or packet) of your usual pain relief medication. If you were given a prescription, get it filled immediately, and take as directed.
-
Brush your teeth as you usually do, but avoid the extraction site.
-
Call the office to report any undue symptoms.
Surgical Extractions
-
Keep the gauze in place for about 30 minutes. If bleeding persists, bite on additional gauze which was given to you. It is normal for the saliva to be slightly streaked with blood for about 1 to 2 days.
-
Do not rinse mouth for 24 hours. Then use warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt into 4 ounces of warm water) every few hours, and after toothbrushing.
-
Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction site.
-
Use a liquid or very soft diet for the first 24 hours; avoid sharp foods or foods that need excessive chewing for a few days. Drink fluids freely, but without a straw.
-
Apply an icepack for 15 minutes, followed by 15 minutes off, until the numbness wears off.
-
Refrain from smoking on the day of the extraction.
-
Take a normal dose (as directed on the bottle or packet) of your usual pain relief medication. If you were given a prescription, get it filled immediately, and take as directed.
-
Brush your teeth as you usually do, but avoid the extraction site.
-
Call the office to report any undue symptoms.
-
Return for your followup visit(s) for suture removal.
If you have had a full denture placed immediately after your extractions, follow the above information, plus:
-
Leave the denture in your mouth for the first 24 hours without removing, because the tissues will begin to swell if the denture is removed, which will then prevent reinsertion of the denture.
-
If you are feeling very uncomfortable, then take the denture out tomorrow for a very brief rinsing of the denture only if Dr. Majcher has instructed you to do so. Then replace the denture immediately back into your mouth. Avoid damage upon removal of the denture–remove it over a sink filled halfway with water, so the denture won’t crack if it slips out of your hands.
-
Never use any hot or boiling water on your denture. When you are instructed to begin to clean your denture, you can only use a cleaning product that is made especially for cleaning dentures.
-
Take good care of the denture because it will eventually become your back-up denture.
-
You may receive additional instructions at followup visits.
Fluoride Varnish
After a fluoride varnish treatment, teeth should remain undisturbed for 4 to 6 hours to allow the fluoride to penetrate into the teeth. It is recommended that you eat a soft diet and avoid sharp foods and hot liquids for the remainder of the day of treatment.
Research studies indicate that this fluoride treatment benefit may last about 6 months, providing a long-lasting relief for those with sensitivity problems.
Arestin
Arestin, an antibiotic that is placed into one or more infected pockets, gradually releases minocycline into the treated area for over 30 days. After your Arestin treatment you should avoid eating hard, sticky or crunchy foods or avoid touching the treated areas for one week. Please wait 10 days to floss the treated areas.You will receive an individualized instruction sheet after placement of the Arestin.
Antibiotic Prescriptions
You can become allergic to an antibiotic at any time in your life. If you have any type of reaction to an antibiotic, discontinue use and call the office at 440-234-9063. If you are having trouble breathing: GO DIRECTLY TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM and call us at a later time.
If you are taking Birth Control Pills you need to be aware that sometimes an antibiotic can alter the performance of your birth control pills.Please use an alternate method of birth control suggested by your physician or gynecologist during the course of the antibiotic.
An antibiotic is prescribed for only you. Take as directed, and finish the prescription completely–do not “save” it or share it with another person.
Your Pharmacist can answer any further questions that you may have regarding your prescriptions.