Our Services
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
These are general post-op instructions for the following procedures. If you are having symptoms that are not covered here or have a dental emergency, please contact the office directly at 810-733-5566.
Instructions after Bridge or Crown Preparation
What to expect afterwards
Some discomfort may be present but severe pain seldom occurs. Please take any prescribed medication as directed.
What to do after your appointment
A temporary crown has been place on this tooth until your next visit. If it should break or come off before then, call us immediately so it can be replaced. If it is not place, it is possible the tooth could move and you would need to have today's visit redone.
If necessary, take Advil, Tylenol, etc., or the prescribed medication (if one was prescribed) for relief of discomfort.
What not to do after your appointment
Avoid any hard or sticky foods on this tooth (such as gum, taffy, caramel, peanuts, popcorn, hard pretzels, ice, etc.) as these can break or pull off your temporary crown.
When flossing this tooth, be sure to slide the floss between the teeth as you normally would. However, pull the floss out towards your cheek, instead of sliding it between again. Catching an edge of the temporary crown with the floss can pull off your temporary crown.
Instructions after Bridge Delivery
What to expect afterwards
Some sensitivity may be present, but severe pain seldom occurs. Any sensitivity should go away in 1 to 2 weeks. The bridge will feel different from your natural tooth and may take up to a week for your tongue and mouth to get used to.
What to do after your appointment
Continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally do. You will need to floss under your bridge using a bridge threader. This will be explained at this appointment.
If necessary, take Advil, Tylenol, etc., for relief of discomfort.
What not to do after your appointment
Do not eat for the first 10 minutes after your appointment. (You do not need to wait before having anything to drink.)
Instructions after Crown Delivery
What to expect afterwards
Some sensitivity may be present, but severe pain seldom occurs. Any sensitivity should go away in 1 to 2 weeks.
The crown will feel different from your natural tooth and may take up to a week for your tongue and mouth to get used to.
What to do after your appointment
Continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally do.
If necessary, take Advil, Tylenol, etc., for relief of discomfort.
What not to do after your appointment
Do not eat for the first 10 minutes after your appointment. You do not need to wait before having anything to drink.
Instructions after Denture Delivery
What to expect afterwards
Removable dentures do not have the same chewing and speaking abilities as natural teeth. You will need to practice eating and speaking until you adjust to the best way to use your mouth and cheeks.
Every attempt has been made to create a natural appearance for your denture. However, no two dentures for the same person are ever exactly alike. Even if you have had a denture before, you will still need some time to get used to the way this denture fits and looks.
What to do after your appointment
Remove your denture for at least 4 hours every day. This gives your gum tissues a chance to rest. Just as you wouldn't wear your shoes 24 hours a day, you shouldn't wear your denture for 24 hours a day either.
Brush your denture at least once daily. This will help to remove not only food particles, but also bacteria that can cause an odor or stains. If your denture has no metal in it, you can also soak it in a bleach solution for 6-8 hours once a week or so. Use a solution of 1 tablespoon bleach mixed with 1 cup of water. This will kill any bacteria that may have gotten into your denture, and also help to remove any stains.
Continue to keep regular dental appointments. Even if you have a complete denture, and no natural teeth, your denture still needs occasional adjustment, relining or evaluation at least once a year.
What not to do after your appointment
Do not leave your denture lying around. Although durable, it can be broken. Dogs especially seem to think they are great chew toys! Whenever you remove your denture, soak it in water until you are ready to wear it again. This will help prevent it from warping.
Instructions after Silver Fillings
What to expect afterwards
Some discomfort may be present, but severe pain seldom occurs.
The filling will feel different from your natural tooth and may take p to a week for your tongue and mouth to get used to.
What to do after your appointment
Continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally do.
If necessary, take Advil, Tylenol, etc., for relief of discomfort.
What not to do after your appointment
You can eat and drink right away, but please avoid any hard or sticky foods on this tooth (such as gum, taffy, caramel, peanuts, popcorn, hard pretzels, ice, etc.) for the rest of the day.
Instructions after Tooth-Colored Fillings
What to expect afterwards
Some discomfort may be present, but severe pain seldom occurs.
The filling will feel different from your natural tooth and may take up to a week for your tongue and mouth to get used to.
What to do after your appointment
Continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally do.
If necessary, take Advil, Tylenol, etc., for relief of discomfort.
What not to do after your appointment
Do not eat for the first 10 minutes after your appointment. You do not need to wait before having anything to drink.
Retainer Instructions
How to use your retainer
Wear your new retainer(s) for at least 8 hours each day. This may be easiest to do while you're sleeping.
Continue to brush and floss your teeth twice daily. Brush you retainer(s) once daily as well.
What to avoid
Do not leave your retainer(s) lying around. Although durable, they can be broken. Dogs especially seem to think they are great chew toys!
Instructions after Root Canal Treatment
What to expect afterwards
Some sensitivity may be present, but severe pain seldom occurs. Please take any prescribed medication as directed.
There may be a temporary "tingling" feeling in the area. The tooth may feel temporarily loose or sensitive, especially when you bite down on the tooth. This is normal and should go away within 1 to 2 weeks.
What to do after your appointment
You can eat and drink right away after your appointment. However, there are some foods you should avoid. See below.
If necessary, take Advil, Tylenol, etc., or the prescribed medication (if one was prescribed) for their relief of discomfort.
What not to do after your appointment
Since there is a temporary filling on this tooth, you will need to avoid any hard or sticky foods on this tooth (such as gum, taffy, caramel, peanuts, popcorn, hard pretzels, ice, etc.). Sometimes small pieces of the temporary filling may break off. This is normal.
However, if a large piece of the temporary filling comes out, please call the office immediately so it can be replaced. If the temporary filling is not replaced, the tooth can become infected. A more durable filling must be placed within the next 2 to 3 weeks.
Please try not to smoke or drink alcohol for the first two days as this will slow the healing process.
Instructions after Root Planing
What to expect afterwards
Some discomfort may be present, but severe pain seldom occurs.
You may experience some sensitivity to hot and/or cold foods due to the shrinking of your gums as they heal. This sensitivity is normal and, with good oral hygiene, should decrease within 1 to 2 weeks.
If your teeth were loose before this appointment, you may find that they feel looser immediately after this appointment. Usually after healing, teeth "tighten."
What to do after your appointment
A slight amount of bleeding is normal after root planing. In case of excessive bleeding, take a piece of gauze or a damp tea bag and hold firmly over the area for 20 minutes. If the bleeding continues, please call us at the above number.
If necessary, take Advil, Tylenol, etc., or the prescribed medication (if one was prescribed) for relief of discomfort.
For maximum healing, please keep your teeth perfectly clean. Even though your gums may be slightly sore, begin thorough, but gentle, brushing and flossing the same day. You will also need to start using an oral irrigator, also known as a "water pik", once daily. They are used with water to flush out any debris or bacteria that collects in the pockets between your gums and each tooth.
What not to do after your appointment
Please try not to smoke or drink alcohol for the first two days as this will slow the healing process.
After leaving the office, please rest and avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day.
Instructions After Sealants
What to expect afterwards
The sealant will cause your teeth to come together differently, as it affects your bite. This may take up to a week for your mouth to get used to.
What to do after your appointment
Continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally do. Even though the chewing surface of the tooth is sealed, it is still possible to get a cavity on the other surface of the tooth.
What not to do after your appointment
There are no food restrictions. You can eat and drink immediately after your visit.
Instructions After Tooth Removal
What to expect afterwards
Some discomfort may be present, but severe pain seldom occurs.
Swelling can occur, but rarely does, for 3 to 5 days afterwards. This is a normal part of the healing process. Rest assured - it will go away.
Some bleeding will occur directly after the surgery. This is normal and should stop shortly with the pressure of your biting on the gauze. You may also experience some slight bleeding on and off over the next 24 hours.
What to do after your appointment
At the end of your appointment, a piece of gauze will be placed where the tooth was removed. Continue to bite on this gauze for the next 30 minutes. Then remove the gauze and inspect the area. If it continues to bleed, place another piece of gauze (or a moist tea bag wrapped in gauze) where the tooth was, and bite on that for an hour. If it continues to bleed after that, call the office at the above phone number.
If you start to swell, apply an ice pack, or cold compress, to the outside of the cheek, over the surgery area, for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. Continue the ice pack for the first 4 hours after your appointment, leaving the ice pack on only 10 minutes at a time. This will help keep swelling to a minimum.
If necessary, take Advil, Tylenol, etc., or the prescribed medication (if one was prescribed) for relief of discomfort.
What not to do after your appointment
Do not eat or drink until after the bleeding has stopped.
Please try not to smoke, or drink alcohol for the first two days as this will slow the healing process.
After leaving the office, please rest and avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day.
Instructions After Surgical Tooth Removal
What to expect afterwards
Some discomfort may be present but severe pain seldom occurs. Please take any prescribed medication as directed.
There may be some swelling or bruising for 3 to 5 days following surgery. This is a normal part of the healing process.
Some bleeding will occur directly after the surgery. This is normal and should stop shortly with the pressure of your biting on the gauze. You may also experience some slight bleeding on and off over the next 24 hours.
What to do after your appointment
At the end of your appointment, a piece of gauze will be placed where the tooth was removed. Continue to bite on this gauze for the next hour. Then remove the gauze and inspect the area. If it continues to bleed, place another piece of gauze (or a moist tea bag) where the tooth was, and bite on that for an hour. If it continues to bleed after that, call the office at the above phone number.
If you start to swell, apply an ice pack (or cold compress) to the outside of the cheek, over the surgery area, for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. Continue the ice pack for the first 4 hours after you appointment, leaving the ice pack on only 10 minutes at a time. This will help keep swelling to a minimum.
If necessary, take Advil, Tylenol, etc., or the prescribed medication (if one was prescribed) for relief of discomfort.
What not to do after your appointment
Do not eat or drink until after the bleeding has stopped.
Please try not to smoke or drink alcohol for the first two days as this will slow the healing process.
After leaving the office, please rest and avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day.
