Postoperative Instructions

Crown & Bridge, Crowns, Inlays, or Onlays

  • You will wear temporary restorations until your permanent restoration is made.
  • Sensitivity to cold and heat, as well as any soreness, should go away in a few days.
  • Brush gently and don't floss while your temporary is on.
  • Your temporary is just that-temporary! It will not feel as smooth or look as good as your permanent crown. It is very common to have an increase in cold sensitivity when your temporary is first placed as well as some discomfort around the gum area for several days. Mild pain medications are often commonly taken.
  • If your temporary comes off, you can often place it back on your tooth and call us during the next available office hours to recement it. If it will not stay in place, a small layer of Vaseline can create a little suction to help retain the temporary. If these options are unsuccessful and it will be more than two days before we are open for normal business hours, or you are in pain, please call us and we can meet you at the office to take care of you.

Back to Top

Deep Teeth Cleaning

  • Sensitivity to cold and heat will subside.
  • Do not chew or eat until numbness subsides.
  • Brush and floss as usual. Your gums may bleed a bit for a few days.

Back to Top

Denture Delivery

  • It is normal to experience some discomfort and speech problems during while getting used to your new dentures. New dentures need several adjustments to fit comfortably. To help with speech, read aloud for a few minutes every day. Your mouth will adjust, and your speech will improve.
  • Remove your dentures every night to allow your gums to rest. Keep the denture in container of water or denture cleaner.
  • Thoroughly brush your dentures with water before wearing them.
  • If and when sore spots on your gums develop, please give us a call and we will make an appointment for an adjustment.

Back to Top

Extractions

  • For an hour after surgery, you should place pressure on the gauze pad covering the extraction site. If bleeding continues, apply new gauze should and pressure for and additional 45 minutes.
  • If bleeding continues beyond 2-4 hours then you can bite on a tea bag (wrapped in a paper towel) for 45 minutes to an hour and the bleeding should stop. It is very normal that the extraction site can occasionally "ooze" blood for a day or so. If you feel that the bleeding seems excessive, please feel free to give our Allen office a call.
  • After surgery, place a cold compress on your face near the extraction site for 10 minutes. Remove for 5 minutes. Repeat.
  • Do not eat or drink hot foods and beverages after surgery.
  • Do not rinse your mouth.
  • Do not use a straw.
  • Do not spit.
  • Do not drink carbonated beverages.
  • Do not brush your teeth on the day of the surgery. Then resume normal home care, gently brushing and flossing.
  • Bruising, swelling, and pain are normal – particularly if you have had a wisdom tooth extraction. Take your prescribed medication and use a cold compress on your face.
  • Plan to eat soft foods, such as soups, milk shakes, fruit juice, and yogurt, for 2-3 days.
  • Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.

Back to Top

Fillings

  • Wait until numbness subsides before eating.
  • Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.
  • Sensitivity to cold and heat, as well as any soreness, should go away in a few days.

Back to Top

Gum Surgery

  • Pain, swelling, and bleeding is normal following gum surgery. A cold compress should be placed on your face near the surgical site for 10 minutes at a time, with 5 minutes off, the day of your surgery. This will reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding.
  • Take your prescribed medications as instructed.
  • You should keep your appointment for follow-up with your dentist.
  • Do not raise your lips and probe the area with your fingers.
  • Do not brush your teeth near the sutures. However, you should brush and floss the rest of your teeth as you normally would.
  • You may experience loss of sensation at the surgical site, and nearby teeth may feel loose for a while.
  • Do not spit or use a straw the day of your procedure. Avoid smoking for a few days.

Back to Top

Implant Surgery

  • Pain, swelling, and bleeding is normal following oral surgery. A cold compress should be placed on your face near the surgical site for 10 minutes at a time, with 5 minutes off, the day of your surgery. This will reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding.
  • Take your prescribed medications as instructed.
  • You should keep your appointment for follow-up with your dentist.
  • Do not raise your lips and probe the area with your fingers.
  • Do not brush your teeth near the sutures. However, you should brush and floss the rest of your teeth as you normally would.
  • Do not spit or use a straw the day of your procedure. Avoid smoking for a few days.

Back to Top

Root Canal Treatment

  • Sensitivity should subside after a few days.
  • Take your prescribed medication as directed.
  • Because a temporary filling is on the tooth, do not bite hard for one hour after your appointment. Once the permanent filling is in place, chew carefully on the opposite side of your mouth.
  • Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.
  • Brush and floss gently.
  • It is common that you will have a dull ache for a few days that can be controlled with Ibuprofen or Tylenol. It is also very common that the tooth will be sore to chew on for a few days or even weeks. This should gradually improve. you should not have an increase in swelling; if you do, please call our office.

Back to Top

Call Allen Dental Center today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Jeff Williams or Dr. Steve Williams. Residents of Plano, McKinney, Fairview, Lucas, Wylie, and surrounding areas rely on our Allen dental office for contemporary, family-friendly dental care.