Post Operative Answers > Laurel Hills Dental Center | ||
| Laurel Hills Dental Center your partner in great oral health and beautiful smiles. |
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| 5215 Garfield Avenue |
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| On this page you will find the answers to questions you might have about post-operative issues and care.
Dental procedures are operations just like on other body parts. So, there can be post operative discomfort. Fortunately, this usually just disappears with time. | If you have an acute dental emergency that involves bleeding or uncontrolled pain, call 916.331.4781 to reach one of the staff. | ||
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| Practice Overview
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| Extractions | Bite on doubled-up cotton gauze for 30 minutes after extraction or if bleeding returns. If you do not have gauze, a tea bag works well. Slight bleeding is normal, flowing blood is time to call us. Do not eat or drink anything really hot in temperature nor in spiciness for 24 hours. Do not spit or suck on a bottle or straw for 48 hours! If you smoke, now is a great time to quit. If you do smoke in the first 48 hours, you may have significant pain. Starting 24 hours after the extraction, rinse your mouth with warm salt water three times daily but do not spit forcefully. Continue for 7 days. If you have sutures, return in 3 to 5 days for removal. | The normal healing process after an extraction is for a blood clot to form in the socket. If this is dislodged, pain and delayed healing will occur.
Smoke contains heat and chemicals that are very irritating to the healing tissue.
Keep it clean to heal up quick and well! | ||
| Fillings | Post-operative sensitivity is very common. If the bite feel high after a day or so, you may need a slight adjustment which is quick and easy to do. Otherwise, this sensitivity goes away in several weeks. | When a filling is placed, the nerve in the pulp is traumatized. This can cause sensitivity, especially to cold. | ||
| Crowns, Bridges & Veneers | After the tooth is initially prepared, you will leave with a temporary crown. This is cemented on with a weak bond cement so it can be removed easily for the permanent crown. Avoid sticky and chewy foods! Do not floss back up but pull the floss out the side. After the permanent crown is cemented avoid very hard objects as they can chip the porcelain. Thermal sensitivity and biting sensitivity are normal and usually diminish with time. | In doing a crown, we remove most of the enamel covering, push the gums away and other procedures. All of these bother the pulp and gums and can lead to some temporary sensitivity. | ||
| Endodontics | Remember that your tooth has a large hole in it. This seriously compromises the strength of the tooth. Avoid biting on it. Make sure you return to get it permanently restored as soon as possible. If antibiotics are prescribed, take as directed no matter how good it feels. Take pain medication as needed. | Most root canals are "non-events" that offer little post-op discomfort. Rarely, however, often due to the infection, there can be significant pain. | ||
| Periodontal Surgery | Take it easy, you just had an operation. Follow the same recommendations as for extractions (see above). We will see you in 3 to 5 days for a post-operative observation. If antibiotics are prescribed, take as directed no matter how good it feels. Take pain medication as needed. | Most likely, you will have root sensitivity to cold and/or brushing. Usually this goes away by itself. | ||
| This page last updated: Saturday, February 10, 2007 | | | |
