Post Op Instructions
After Crown and Bridge Appointments
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 and restore esthetics while the custom restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating or 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. Avoid candies, chocolates and foods or beverages high in sugar to prevent decay from starting under your temporary crowns. 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. Temporary crowns are just that, temporary. If they are left on for months at a time without attention from our office, cavities can occur under them and your bite might also change. This is why it is important to keep your visits in a timely manner. 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 you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at 956-542-1956.
After Composite Fillings (white 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. It is normal to experience some hot, cold & 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, since they are fully set when you leave the office.If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent discomfort, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at 956-542-1956.
After Oral Surgery
Before your dismissal from our office, gauze is placed on extraction site and bleeding is controlled. Some additional “oozing” from the extraction site may occur for several hours.
Additional gauze is provided for home use. Place tight pad of gauze firmly over the extracted area and hold in place with bite pressure for twenty to thirty minutes. Repeat if necessary until gauze is no longer soaked with blood. Avoid using gauze when asleep.
Do not actively rinse for at least twenty-four hours. (Passive spitting only)
Keep fingers and tongue away from the socket of surgery area.
A soft diet is recommended for 24 hours, and thereafter resumes a normal diet as you deem appropriate.
Discomfort in surrounding site and related tissue is to be expected. If excessive bleeding, swelling or pain is experienced, please call our office.
No smoking during healing of site.
Post Op Instructions - Nitrous Oxide (adult)
I understand that nitrous oxide is an odorless, non-absorbed gas, that when used by inhalation in the dental setting can reduce gag reflexes, reduce anxiety levels and help in comfort during dental procedures and appointments. I understand that having the dentistry done without nitrous sedation is an option as there are risks associated with anxiolysis via nitrous oxide.
To avoid chances of nausea or vomiting it was recommended that I do not eat or drink anything for 4-6 hours prior to my appointment and for 2 hours following. Limited clean liquids can be consumed circa my appointment.
Nitrous is quickly cleared from the system so I can drive home after the appointment, but it is encouraged that I have a driver as everyone’s response to nitrous is different. If I have taken any prescription sedative or drugs that could enhance the effect of the nitrous a responsible driver must escort me home from the appointment.
Although cleared quickly, I may experience exhaustion after the sedation. However, with nitrous oxide sedation alone this is unlikely in adults. Children can be very sleepy for the remainder of the day. They should avoid any sports or major activities following their dental appointment and should be monitored while playing and eating following their dental work.
Prolonged exposure for multiple appointments can have effects on the central nervous system so nitrous oxide should be used with caution under supervision of your dental professionals and is not for recreational use. Pregnant women are not candidates for nitrous oxide via inhalation in dentistry.
Nitrous oxide can make you feel as if you had a couple glasses of wine, but you should return to normal alertness quickly following the procedure. Some patients do not like this feeling or feel claustrophobic under the nose piece. The nitrous can be stopped at any time however we encourage you to breath pure oxygen for 5-10 minutes to reduce the chances of an intense headache or fatigue following the appointment.
Some patients report the nitrous wearing off mid procedure and some report it as having no effect. Some patients tolerate nitrous differently than others and some metabolize it faster. These are all normal risks of nitrous oxide sedation for dentistry. If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to call us at the office at 956-542-1956 at any time.
After hours you can reach our office at 956-542-1956
We thank you for the opportunity to serve your oral health needs!
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