Buffalo Cosmetic Dentistry Post-Op Instructions...
Teeth Fillings - Once we have restored your teeth with tooth colored fillings, they will serve you well for many years to come. The material we use is called “resin” or “composite” and is strong and wear-resistant. Read More
Extractions/Oral Surgery -The initial healing period after an extraction usually takes one to two weeks, and you’ll likely experience some swelling for the first 48 hours. Read More
Root Canal - Root canal treatment can take one or more appointments to complete. A temporary filling is usually placed to protect the tooth between appointments, but taking these precautions will protect your tooth and ease any post-operative discomfort. Read More
Affordable Permanent Dentures & Partial Denture - Congratulations on your new smile! Here are a few hints on how to live with and best care for your new choppers. Read More
Temporary Bridges - Now that we’ve placed a temporary bridge, it’s important to follow these recommendations to ensure the success of your final restoration. Read More
Periodontal Scaling/Therapy - Periodontal scaling and root planning is done to remove tartar, bacteria and toxins from the roots of the teeth, below the gum line. Read More
Sedation Dentistry - A sedated patient may seem alert when leaving our office. This can be misleading so do not leave the patient alone. Read More
Titanium Dental Implant - After a titanium dental implant has been placed, it is very important to follow these recommendations during the healing period. Read More
Lumineers Cosmetic Dentistry Veneers & Porcelain Crowns - If we used anesthetic, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after your appointment. Avoid chewing hard until the numbness wears off. Read More
Teeth Fillings
Once we have restored your teeth with tooth-colored fillings, they will serve you well for many years to come. The material we use for teeth fillings is called “resin” or “composite” and is strong and wear-resistant.
If we used anesthetic, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after your appointment. Avoid chewing until the numbness wears off. We don’t want you unknowingly chewing on the inside of your cheek, lip or tongue!
It is very normal to experience cold, hot and pressure sensitivity for a few days after your appointment. It the sensitivity persists or increases, call us.
Your gums may also be sore for a few days after teeth fillings. Rinse three times daily with a salt water solution, (one teaspoon salt in a cup of very warm water) to reduce pain and swelling.
If your bite feels uneven, or if you have persistent or increasing sensitivity, call us to see an emergency dentist as soon as you can. You may just need a minor adjustment to make things feel better.
Extractions/Oral Surgery
The initial healing period after an extraction usually takes one to two weeks, and you’ll likely experience some swelling for the first 48 hours.
We used an anesthetic during your procedure to ensure your comfort. Your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after your appointment. Avoid chewing until the numbness wears off. We don’t want you unknowingly chewing on the inside of your cheek, lip or tongue. Some discomfort after the extraction is normal. An over-the counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, is usually sufficient. If we gave you a prescription for a stronger pain medication, take as directed. You can also decrease pain by applying an ice pack (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for the first six hours following the extraction. Bags of frozen peas work particularly well.
Immediately following procedure- keep a steady pressure on the extraction site. Gently remove the compress after 30 minutes. If bleeding persists, place another clean gauze pad or tea bag on the site and keep steady pressure on the area for an additional hour. Some oozing of blood may persist for up to 24 hours after surgery. After oozing has stopped, gently resume oral hygiene.
A blood clot will form on the extraction site and this clot is vital to the healing process. To keep this clot intact, keep fingers and tongue away from the surgical area. Do not smoke, spit, blow your nose, sneeze, or rinse your mouth the day of surgery. Drink plenty of fluids ( but do NOT use a straw). Relax as much as possible, avoid all strenuous activities for at least the first 24 hours.
24 hours after surgery, rinse mouth gently with a salt water solution (one teaspoon salt in a cup of very warm water). Gently swish the solution around the affected area and spit carefully, so as not to dislodge the forming clot. You should do this 2 or 3 times daily for a week following the extraction. You can also resume your normal tooth brushing, careful to avoid the surgical site.
If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them as prescribed, even if all symptoms of infection are gone.
If you should experience excessive bleeding, pain, fever or difficulty opening your mouth, call our office immediately @716-652-7645.
Root Canal
Root canal treatment can take one or more appointments to complete. A temporary filling is usually placed to protect the tooth between appointments, but taking these precautions will protect your tooth and ease any post-operative discomfort.
If our sedation dentist used anesthetic, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after your appointment. Avoid chewing hard until the numbness wears off. We don’t want you unknowingly chewing on your inside cheek or lip!
It is common and not a problem for a small portion of the temporary filling to wear away and break off between appointments. If the entire temporary comes out, contact our emergency dentist so we can replace it.
It is normal to experience some soreness for several days after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing. To alleviate discomfort, take pain medication as directed. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms of infection are gone.
To further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with a salt water solution (one teaspoon salt in a cup of very warm water). To protect the tooth and help keep your temporary filling in place, avoid eating sticky or hard foods (especially gum) and if possible, chew on only the opposite side of your mouth.
It is very important to continue to brush your teeth normally, but floss very carefully. To prevent removal of the temporary, remove the floss by pulling it through the teeth, not up and down or up from between the space between the teeth.
We will almost always recommend a crown to protect your tooth, now that it has had a root canal. A post root canal tooth is very brittle and fragile, and more prone to breaking or fracturing.
Please call our office if your bite feels uneven, or if you have persistent swelling or pain.
Affordable Permanent Dentures & Partial Dentures
Congratulations on your new smile! Here are a few hints on how to live with and best care for your new affordable permanent dentures or partial denture.
We are confident that after a few weeks of becoming adjusted to your new permanent dentures or partial denture you will have years of satisfaction from them.
Sore spots: It is common to get “sore spots” after wearing the partial denture for 24 hours. These areas can be adjusted for your comfort during a quick visit to our office. In addition, your new bite may not feel completely comfortable for several weeks while you get used to your new dentures. We can adjust this also.
It is important to take your partial denture out at night while sleeping, to give your tissues a chance to breathe and rest. Keep the partial denture soaking in water overnight.
Your permanent dentures and partial denture can be easily cleaned by using a mild toothpaste and denture brush. Periodic soaks in a denture solution (for ex. Polident) can leave your dentures fresh and clean. If you are wearing full permanent dentures, it is important to also brush your gums once a day, to condition and clean them. If you are wearing a partial denture, use special care to clean the parts that come into contact with your natural teeth. Both your teeth and the partial denture must be kept very clean to reduce the chance of new decay.
Over time, without any natural teeth in them, your jaws and gums will shrink. When this happens, your permanent dentures and partial denture will feel loose and ill-fitting and will need relining. Wearing ill fitting dentures for too long without relining can lead to a number of problems and can actually cause severe jawbone loss and serious oral disease. Please call our office when you find your dentures don’t fit as well as they used to.
Temporary Bridges
Now that we’ve placed a temporary bridge, it’s important to follow these recommendations to ensure the success of your final restoration.
If your sedation dentist used anesthetic, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after your appointment. Avoid chewing hard until the numbness wears off. We don’t want you unknowingly chewing on the inside of your cheek or lip!
To keep your temporary bridge in place, avoid eating hard or sticky foods (like gummi bears or chewing gum). Brush normally, but floss carefully to avoid losing your temporary. If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold or pressure, use desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists or increases beyond a few days, call us.
To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three times daily with warm salt water (one teaspoon salt in a cup of very warm water). It’s normal for your gums to be sore for a few days.
Call us if your temporary bridge comes off. Save the temporary so we can re-cement it. It’s important for the final fit of your permanent bridge that your temporary stay in place. Call our East Aurora Sedation Dentistry office if your bite feels uneven or if you have any other questions or concerns.
Periodontal Scaling/Therapy
Periodontal scaling and root planting is done to remove tartar, bacteria and toxins from the roots of the teeth, below the gumline.
It is common to experience mild post operative sensitivity for about 24 hours, especially on the gumline when brushing your teeth. Rinse your mouth with the Oxyfresh rinse (if dispensed to you), or with salt water solution (one teaspoon salt in a cup of very warm water) 3 times a day. If your teeth are sensitive to cold, try a desensitizing toothpaste (for ex: Sensodyne). Ibuprofen (Advil) may be taken for any additional temporary discomfort.
Sedation Dentistry
A sedated patient may seem alert when leaving our office. This can be misleading so do not leave the patient alone. After a sedation dentistry procedure, a responsible person should be with the sedated patient until he/she has fully recovered from the effects of the sedation.
Patient should not carry, sleep next to or be left alone with young children for a period no less than 24 hours after the last dosage of medication.
Patient needs to drink plenty of liquids as soon as possible. Also, proper nutrition is important. Soft, non-spicy foods should be eaten as soon as the novocaine has worn off.
Patient should not drive, operate hazardous devices, or make any important decisions (financial or otherwise) for 24 hours after taking sedation dentistry medication.
Patient should not go up or down stairs unattended.
Call us if you have any questions, concerns or difficulties. We can usually be reached at 716-652-7645, including evenings and week-ends.
If you feel your symptoms warrant a physician and you are unable to reach us, go to your nearest emergency room immediately.
Titanium Dental Implant Surgery
After your titanium dental implant has been placed, it is very important to follow these recommendations during the healing period:
To control minor bleeding after surgery, apply moderate pressure with gauze pads or a clean, moist tea bag wrapped in a gauze pad.
Take antibiotics or other medications as directed. To reduce discomfort or swelling for several days after surgery, use ice packs (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off). It’s normal for your gums to be sore and swollen for several days. Beginning 24 hours after surgery, rinse your mouth three times a day for two weeks with warm salt water (one teaspoon salt in a cup of very warm water). Swish very gently as to not disturb the titanium dental implant sites.
Avoid chewing until the numbness from the anesthetic has completely worn off. Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, soft cooked eggs and ground meat for the first several days after surgery. Do not chew hard, crusty, spicy foods until your gums have healed.
Do not smoke any tobacco products until healing is complete. Using tobacco products increases the chances that your body will reject the implant.
Brush and floss very gently. If we have recommended a mouth rinse, use it as directed.
Call us if the top of your titanium dental implant shows through the gum. This may not be a problem, but we should check it anyways. Call us if you have persistent numbness, bleeding, discomfort, fever or any other concerns.
Lumineers Cosmetic Dentistry
Veneers & Porcelain Crowns
If we used anesthetic, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after your appointment. Avoid chewing hard until the numbness wears off. We don’t want you unknowingly chewing on your inside cheek or lip!
Your temporary Lumineers cosmetic dentistry veneers are made of plastic and will serve you for a short time period while your permanents are being made by our dental lab. They are attached only slightly so they can be removed easily.
If a veneer comes off, call us and we will replace it immediately. If you absolutely cannot come in, place some denture adhesive (for ex: Fixodent) on the veneer and replace it until you can see us again.
The size, shape and color of your temporaries do not necessarily resemble the final product.
Your temporaries may leak saliva onto the tooth. You may also feel sensitive to cold, hot, pressure and sweets. You may also see stains under the temporaries, these will be removed prior to final cementation.
Maintain good brushing habits, but do not floss until you get your permanent restorations. Flossing may pull off the temporaries.
Once you receive your permanent restorations:
As with your own natural teeth, avoid chewing very hard foods. If it can break what Mother Nature gave you, it will break your cosmetic dentistry veneers or porcelain crowns.
Proper brushing, flossing and regular 6 month (minimum) cleanings with your hygienist are essential to the long term success and appearance of your Lumineers. Small problems with your cosmetic dentistry veneers that may occur can often be repaired quickly and easily if we find them in time.