Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed it takes several days to adapt. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, every effort will be made to see you immediately so call our office so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.
It is normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. The teeth require some time to heal after removal of tooth structure and will be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (two tablets of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 4-6 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.
Daily brushing and flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning appointments.
Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances (such as nuts, peanut brittle, ice) and sticky candies.
If you engage in sports let us know so we can make a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard we have provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.
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 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 and 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 protects the supporting gum and bone. Loss of a temporary may compromise 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. 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.
It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside after a few days, possibly a few weeks, after the placement of the final restoration. Mild 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 questions or concerns please call our office at your earliest convenience.
After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still 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 important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 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 experience some swelling. An ice pack 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. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable. Call the office immediately if you have any questions or concerns
It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours, yet try to avoid the extraction site for 72 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.
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) or Tylenol (two tablets every 4-6 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 completely set when you leave the office.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any questions or concerns please call our office at your earliest convenience.
Root canals usually take one to three appointments to complete. During the course of treatment a patient may feel sensitivity to hot, cold and pressure. Injection sites may also be sore. Typically, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or Acetominophen (Tylenol) can be used accoriding to the manufacturers instructions to moderate any discomfort a patient encounters. In some cases it is necessary to prescribe antibiotics and/or additional types of pain medication depending upon each individual condition.
Once a root canal is completed any discomfort a patient initially feels should resolve completely within a reasonable amount of time, resulting in a patient that is pain-free and comfortable.
Of course at any time if there are any questions or concerns please contact our office at your earliest convenience.
Implant placement usually takes one appointment with successive follow-up appointments after one day, one week, and one month. Due to the nature of human bone wihich is comprised of very few intraosseous nerve fibers, implant placement/microsurgery usually results in very slight discomfort to none at all. Some patients indicate a feeling of slight pressure that lasts a matter of hours, yet most are pain-free before, during, and after the procedure.
Similar to other dental procedures, any pain occurring post-procedure can be moderated by utilizing common pain medications. Ibuprophen (Advil, Motrin) or Acetominophen (Tylenol) can be used according to the manufacturers instructions. Additionally, if a patient feels pressure or slight fullness/swelling an ice pack/cold compress can be placed on the skin around the area of implant placement following a sequence of twenty minutes on/twenty minutes off for up to 48 hours or until the fullness subsides. In some cases, an antibiotic and/or pain medication will be prescribed.
Of course at any time if there are any questions or concerns please contact our office at your earliest convenience.
We provide the following general and cosmetic dental services to the Beverly Hills area: