Home Instructions

After Crown and Bridge Appointments

Usually, both dental crowns and bridges take between two or three appointments to complete. During your initial appointment, our dentist will create a mold and prepare the tooth for the restoration appliance. A temporary appliance may be used in between appointments while the permanent restoration is being made. If any numbing anesthesia is used, avoid drinking or eating hot foods until feeling returns.

If your temporary crown becomes displaced or falls off, contact our office. Please bring in the crown so we can reattach it to the tooth. It is important for our practice to reattach the crown to prevent shifting of neighboring teeth.

While wearing temporary crowns, avoid overly sticky foods or hard foods that can break or crack the appliance. When possible, chew on the side of the mouth that doesn’t contain the restorations. Brush and clean your teeth daily, but be careful when flossing so as not to dislodge the temporary crown.

Once your dental crown or bridge has been completed, you may experience tooth sensitivity. This can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication. However, if these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, please let our dentist know.

If you experience any pain or problems with your bite, please feel free to phone our dental team at any time.

After Tooth Extraction

After the tooth is removed, the blood will begin to clot and start healing. To help this, patients should bite down on a gauze pad for at least half an hour following their extraction. If the site is still bleeding after 45 minutes, replace the pad and apply pressure for an additional half hour. Repeat as necessary.

Avoid disturbing the site following the extraction. Avoid heavy rinsing, straws, tobacco, alcohol or brushing near the site for three days; this can interfere with the healing process and cause the site to start bleeding again.

After tooth extraction, patients will sometimes experience discomfort, pain or swelling. Take pain relievers as needed and apply cold compresses or ice packs to the affected area to help reduce swelling. Usually, swelling will subside after two days.

When taking pain medication, be sure to follow all directions. If you are still experiencing pain, contact our office. If you are taking antibiotics, be sure to take them for the full prescribed amount, even after your symptoms disappear. On the day of your appointment, keep hydrated and be sure to eat soft, nutritious food.

It may take a few days to recover and return to normal activity. If you have a negative reaction to your medication, or if pain and swelling continue for two or three days, contact our office.

After Composite Dental Fillings (White Fillings)

If our dentist applies an anesthetic, numbness may last for several hours after your visit. Until feeling returns, avoid eating, especially hot foods. Eating while still under anesthetic can lead to burns or other injuries.

Some tooth sensitivity may occur after your filling appointment. Patients may also experience discomfort at the site of the injection. Patients can seek pain relief with over-the-counter medication, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or Tylenol. If your symptoms last more than a couple days or if your symptoms worsen, phone our dental office.

When the numbness has worn off, it will be safe to chew with your new filling. If you have any lingering, severe pain, contact our office with any of your concerns.