Pre and Post Procedure Care

Can't quite remember what the doctor ordered? We’ve got you covered!

  1. After anesthetic appointment
  2. Amalgam
  3. Composite (white fillings)
  4. Extractions
  5. Root Canals
  6. Cerec Crowns
  7. Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns
  8. Implant Crowns
  9. Bridges
  10. Full and Partial Dentures
  11. Immediate Dentures

After anesthetic appointment

Adult
  • avoid chewing foods or drinking hot liquids until numbness has gone
  • if you are hungry- milk and milkshakes with a straw are recommended ( unless you have undergone an extraction then no straw) or yogurt type snacks to prevent chewing which could cause trauma to tongue, lips or cheeks if numbness is present.
  • no hot liquids or foods until mouth is fully back to normal (no numbness).
Children

Monitor your child to ensure he/she is not chewing his/her cheek or tongue.  If they appear to be traumatizing/chewing their mouths, we recommend placing a cotton roll between the upper and lower teeth to minimize this until the behaviour has stopped or the numbness has worn off.

Amalgam (plus anesthetic instructions)

  • do not chew foods for 1 hour after and only chew soft foods that day
  • if restoration feels high or “bumpy” return or call the office to have us reduce it to avoid amalgam fracture
  • may be temperature sensitive to hot and cold for 24 hours with cold sensitivity lasting for a few days
  • any discomfort that does not resolve in a week call Brighter Smiles Dentistry (BSD)

Composite (white fillings) (plus anesthetic instructions)

  • once the anesthetic has worn off patient can chew foods normally (filling has hardened permanently when you leave the chair)
  • if restoration feels high or “bumpy” call BSD for an adjustment to minimize breakage and long term sensitivity
  • temperature sensitivity to hot and cold may last up to a week
  • if any discomfort longer than a week, call BSD

Extractions (plus anesthetic instructions)

  • place gauze on the site and bite for 20 minutes or until bleeding has stopped. Replace gauze with clean gauze when previous gauzse is saturated.
  • no rinsing or spitting for today ( 24 hours)
  • If the bleeding continues fold a piece of gauze and place it over the bleeding spot. Bite hard for 20 minutes.
  • Don't smoke or drink through a straw following the appointment.
  • If you have stitches apply ice to your face next to where the tooth was extracted, on for 20 minutes, off for 10 minutes for the first 24 hours only. This helps to reduce the swelling. Sutures will dissolve in 7-10 days or will be removed in 2 weeks.
  • After the bleeding stops you can eat what you like however soft foods are the easiest on the opposite side from the extraction.
  • If you have a problem call us at (506) 328-8026

Root Canals (plus anesthetic instructions)

  • generally completed in one visit but occasionally takes two appointments
  • may be some sensitivity to the tissues around the treated tooth when chewing for about 7 days. This will be when pressure is applied to the tooth.
  • if any swelling occurs after the first 24 hours please call our office as medication may be necessary.
  • chew soft foods only on the treated side until the permanent restoration/crown is fabricated.
  • During Root Canal Therapy the nerve, blood and nutrient supply to the tooth is removed. This will cause the tooth to become brittle and prone to fracturing which could result in the need to have it extracted. A full coverage crown is recommended to prevent this from happening.

Cerec Crowns (plus anesthetic instructions)

  • Some sensitivity to the tissues around the tooth may be present for about 2 days.
  • If the tooth that is crowned has not had a Root Canal Treatment there may be  a little sensitivity to temperature but is generally less than if having a regular restoration done.
  • All sensitivities should resolve within 1 week.
  • Call our office if crown feels too high for an adjustment to minimize fracture of the porcelain.

Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns (plus anesthetic instructions)

  • Some chewing sensitivity for 2-4 days.
  • Some temperature sensitivity that should resolve within 7 days.
  • Chew soft foods for the first 24 hours after anesthetic has worn off.
  • If crown feels too high call our office for an adjustment to prevent porcelain fractures.

Implant Crowns (plus anesthetic instructions)

  • soft food for 24 hours to allow for complete curing of the dental cement used.
  • call our office if restoration feels too high after anesthetic has gone to avoid porcelain fracture.

Bridges (plus anesthetic instructions)

  • soft foods for 1-2 days to allow for full cementation and to get accustomized to the new tooth shapes.
  • some temperature sensitivity to  be expected for up to a week after cementation.
  • be sure to use the flossmate /superfloss to maintain good oral hygiene under the bridge as instructed.
  • call our office if any of the teeth feel too high to have an adjustment made to minimize porcelain fracture.

Full and Partial Dentures

  • takes a little practice in placing and removing new dentures
  • best to start with soft foods chewing slowly on “both sides” of the mouth
  • chewy or sticky foods should be avoided
  • some trapping of the cheeks and tongue may occur for the first few weeks but will lessen over time once you get used to the new denture
  • speaking also requires practice but improves with repetition
  • dentures may cause an increase of saliva at first but this will reduce back to normal after a few days
  • generally, we prefer that the patient wears the denture through the day and at night but leaving it out for about 1 hour a day to allow the tissues to relax and be exposed to oxygen
To take care of your denture
  • they should be handled with great care (and the patient should fill the sink or basin with a little water to prevent breakage if dropped while cleaning them).  They should be placed in a container of water or denture cleaner if not being worn.
  • they should never be placed in “hot water”
  • they should be cleaned daily, rinsing with water and brushing with a “denture” brush if necessary

Immediate Dentures

  • Are dentures that are placed the same days as several teeth are extracted
  • The benefit is maintaining your smile “immediately” after teeth are extracted.
Instructions
  • Must leave the denture in placed for 24 hours after which the patient returns for a pre-booked return visit where we remove the newly placed denture for them, check for sore spots (ulcers), check the healing of the extracted teeth sites, as well as doing a bite check of the new denture.
  • After the initial placement of the immediate denture, the dentist will instruct you on pain medication that is usually necessary due to the extractions.
  • Soft food/liquids are recommended in the first 24 hours due to some bleeding and pain from the extraction sites. Discomfort with chewing (slight) is to be expected with an immediate denture for the first week.  After the initial adjustment appointment harder foods are gradually introduced and if any new sore spots or ulcerations occur we expect you to call to have the denture adjusted at BSD.
Partial Dentures Only
  • be especially thorough cleaning the teeth where the partial denture attaches.
  • do use denture cleaners (i.e. polident) to clean the partial if deposits build up
  • do not use bleach to clean your partial denture (the bleach will damage the metal)
  • over time your jawbone and gums will shrink when there are missing teeth.  When this occurs your full denture or partial denture will feel loose or will cause more ulcerations(sore spots than before). When this occurs your appliance may require relining or refitting.  Be sure to call BSD when this occurs to prevent more rapid bone loss and very serious oral disease.