• Post-Treatment Instructions for Implants
  
  
• After-Care Instructions for Temporary Crowns, Onlays and Veneers
  
  
• Post-Operative Instructions for Extraction
  
  
• Homecare Root Canal Therapy
  
  
• Homecare Resin Fillings

Post-Treatment Instructions for Implants

1. You should have a light diet without hard or chewy foods for 24 hours.
   
   
2. You should not remove your denture at night for the first 48 hours.
   
   
3. You should remove denture briefly each day for oral hygiene. Please use a soft nylon bristle toothbrush with toothpaste or water to scrub the denture. Do not attempt to remove the silicone liner for at least three days. After this initial period, if you have good dexterity, you may remove the liner (with a toothpick) and clean it gently in the same manner as the denture. After the initial healing period, dentures may be soaked for 30 minutes each day in a denture cleaning solution. (Do not clean your dentures or silicone relines over an open sink drain). Also, please clean the head, collar and platform of the four Atlas implants.
   
   
4. You may take Tylenol or Ibuprofen to alleviate any discomfort.
      If taking Ibuprofen, take 3-4 tablets, 3-4 times daily.
      If taking Tylenol, take 1-2 tablets, 3 times daily.
   
   
5. Call the office if any serious pain or symptoms arise.

After-Care Instructions for Temporary Crowns, Onlays & Veneers

Your treatment today consisted of the placement of one or more temporary restorations. This means you will see an immediate but not final result which may include (but not be limited to) a whiter, straighter smile and stronger teeth.

These temporary restorations require special care so that they can aid in the healing process and remain secure until the placement of the final, permanent restorations.

1. Brush twice daily and after sugary snacks or drinks
   
   
2. Do not eat anything sticky (taffy or gum) or hard (hard pretzels, nuts or crusty bread) on these teeth as this may break or dislodge the temporaries. Cut food into small pieces.
   
   
3. Some mild sensitivity due to temperature may occur. If this persists for more than 2 weeks, contact us.
   
   
4. Do not try to floss the temporaries, if possible. If the bite feels uneven, it will cause the tooth to be inflamed and sensitive. Call the office immediately if your bite is off so that we can adjust it.
   
   
5. If your temporaries become loose or dislodged, contact us immediately.
   
   
6. CALL US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DIFFICULTIES.
   

FOLLOWING MOST SURGICAL PROCEDURES THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE PAIN, DEPENDING ON YOUR THRESHOLD FOR PAIN. YOU WILL BE PROVIDED WITH MEDICATION FOR DISCOMFORT THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOU. IN MOST CASES, A NON-NARCOTIC PAIN REGIMEN WILL BE GIVEN CONSISTING OF ACETAMINOPHEN (TYLENOL) AND IBUPROFEN (ADVIL). THESE TWO MEDICATIONS TAKEN TOGETHER, WILL BE AS EFFECTIVE AS A NARCOTIC WITHOUT ANY OF THE SIDE AFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH NARCOTICS. IF A NARCTOIC HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED, FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE MEDICATIONS INTERACTING WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS YOU ARE PRESENTLY TAKING, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE, YOUR PHYSICIAN AND/OR YOUR PHARMACIST.

Post-Operative Instructions for Extraction

WHEN YOU SHOULD NOTIFY THE DOCTOR

1. If profuse bleeding continues after 3-4 hours of applied pressure.
   
2. If you are unable to maintain nutritious diet after 48 hours.
   
3. If the pain and/or swelling increases after the third day.
   
4. If an oral bandage becomes dislodged prior to the third day
   
5. If you have an allergic reaction to medications such as:
   
   • skin rash
   • hives
   • elevated temperature
   • increased and/or erratic heart rate
   • nausea/vomiting
   • dizziness/fainting
   • blurred vision

• BLEEDING
To slow or prevent bleeding, bite with light pressure on the gauze pack that has been placed over the surgical area. Pressure should be applied in 20 to 30 minute intervals and repeated until the bleeding is brought under control. If bleeding persists without slowing for several hours apply a gauze soaked in strong tea and repeat the above steps until the bleeding stops. Exercising and heavy lifting will raise your blood pressure and will dislodge the blood clot and bleeding will resume. Avoid exercising for three to five days following the surgery.


• SWELLING
To prevent and/or minimize swelling apply ice packs at 10-minute intervals to the surgical area. After 72 hours apply warm compresses to the area to relieve swelling. Swelling is a natural part of the healing process and can be expected for 3 days to several weeks depending on the nature and the extent of the surgery.


• DISCOMFORT
Following most surgical procedures there may or may not be pain, depending on your threshold for pain. You will be provided with medication for discomfort that is appropriate for you. In most cases, a non-narcotic pain regimen will be given consisting of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil). These two medications, taken together, will be as effective as a narcotic without any of the side affects associated with narcotics. If a narcotic has been prescribed, follow the directions carefully. If you have any questions about these medications interacting with other medications you are presently taking, please call our office first, your physician and/or pharmacist.

Homecare Root Canal Therapy

Caring for a temporary restoration

Now that you have had root canal therapy, it is important to follow these recommendations to ensure healing.

If we placed a temporary filling or crown on your tooth, avoid chewing for at least one-half hour to allow the restoration to harden.

To keep your temporary restoration in place, avoid eating hard or sticky foods, especially chewing gum. If possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth.

It is not a problem for a small portion of a temporary filling to wear away or break off, but if the entire filling wears out, or if a temporary crown comes off, call us so that it can be replaced.

Chewing and eating

If we used an anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. Your lips, teeth, and tongue may be numb for several hours.

Brushing and flossing

Brush and floss normally

Medications and discomfort

If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.

To control discomfort, take pain medication before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended. Take 3-4 tablets of ibuprofen, 3-4 times daily for one week. Bite is very important for healing. Even if you are taking ibuprofen, healing will not occur if bite is off. It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing.

To further reduce discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water. Use about one teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water.

When to call us

Call our office if your bite feels uneven, if you have sensitivity or discomfort that increases or continues beyond three or four days, if your temporary filling or crown comes off, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Homecare Resin Fillings

Homecare recommendations
Now that we've placed your resin filling, it's important to follow these recommendations to ensure its success.

Chewing and eating
If we used an anasthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has worn off completely.

Brushing and flossing
Brush and floss normally.

If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use a desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, call us.

Discomfort
To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water. Use about one teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be sore for several days. To alleviate pain, take 2-3 tablets of ibuprofen (200mg), 3-4 times daily for 1 week.

When to call us
Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have sensitivity or discomfort that increases or continues beyond three to four days, or if you have any questions or concerns.