Post-Op Instructions

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Bleeding: Bleeding may continue for a short time or may persist until the next day.   Maintain gentle pressure by biting on the gauze.  If profuse bleeding or other problems, please call the office.

Infection:    To prevent  infection, keep  your mouth clean.  Brush your teeth as you usually do and rinse with warm salt water 4-5 times daily to ensure the extraction site stays clean and free of food.

Pain:  Pain during the first 24 hours following surgery is normal, but pain wil lessen each day thereafter.  Pain that goes away after 2-3 days and returns is a signal for you to please call the office so we can treat the ares of possible infection.

Swelling:  Swelling, discomfort, and a slight jaw stiffness is the result of surgery but not necessarily infection.  The swelling should begin to go away about the third day following surgery.  If you have no swelling for 2-3 days and this is present after 6 days, please call the office for evaluation and possible infection.

Medication:   Take prescribed medication as directed, most medications are to be taken with food unless specifically told not to do so.   If any prescribed medication is making you sick, please call the office.

A Temporary:  A temorary crown or bridge is placed to help protect the tooth and prevent the tooth from moving while waiting for your permanent to be fabricated.  In the event that your temporary comes off and you are not able to come into the office, it is important that you place the temporary back on the tooth.  To do so, dry the inside of the crown/bridge and dry the tooth.  Place a small amount of vaseline, toothpaste or denture adhesive inside your temporary and place back on the tooth.  These will help keep the temporary in place and prevent the tooth/teeth from shifitng.  However, you should remove while eating to prevent you from swalling the temporary.  Please call the office for recementation of your temporary as soo as possible.

Sensitivity:  It is not uncommon for teeth with temporary crowns to be sensitive to extreme cold, heat and sweets.  If the pain is severe, please call the office for evaluation of possible infection.