Palma & Nardozza Dental Services, PC

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Post-Operative Instructions

Please select the procedure you received to see a summary of post-op instructions. Call us if you have any questions:



Tooth Extraction:

1. Bite gently on the gauze pad placed over the extraction site. Applying pressure for a minimum of 30 minutes will aid in clot formation. If bleeding is still present after 30 minutes, be sure to replace gauze and continue to apply pressure. Pressure on a wet tea bag can also aid in clot formation if bleeding persists. If you still have bleeding 24 hours after your surgery, please call your dentist.

2. Take your prescribed medication as soon as you begin to experience discomfort. If no medication has been prescribed to you, Advil, Naproxen or Tylenol can assist with pain relief.

3. Refrain from smoking for a minimum of 72 hours. Smoking can inhibit and prolong the healing process.

4. Abstain from spitting, drinking through straws, and rinsing vigorously for a minimum of 24 hours. Engaging in such activities can cause the healing clot to be dislodged.

5. After 24 hours has passed, begin rinsing with warm salt water rinses 2-3 times per day to cleanse and heal the surgical site. An appropriate salt water solution consists of 1 teaspoon salt to an 8 ounce glass of warm water.

6. Swelling is a common occurrence after a tooth extraction. The amount of swelling depends on the type and difficulty of the extraction. You can minimize the swelling by applying an ice pack to the affected area. For the first three hours, alternate the ice pack on for 10 minutes and off for 10 minutes.

7. If sutures were required following your extraction, it may not be necessary to return to have the sutures removed unless instructed by your dentist. If dissolvable sutures were placed, they can take up to 2 weeks to dissolve.

8. For any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the office at 468-1000 or 488-2911.


Fillings:

1. Do not eat on your new filling for one hour and until your numbness is gone.

2. If you are supervising children who had fillings done, make sure they don’t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).

3. Do not bite hard or chew on silver amalgam fillings for 24 hours.

4. You may experience cold and heat sensitivity and some gum soreness; this usually subsides within a few days.

5. Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort for more than a few days after the fillings, or if you have any questions.


Crowns and Bridges (also Inlays and Onlays):

1. Crowns and bridges usually take 2 or 3 appointments to complete. On the first appointment, the tooth/teeth are prepared, impressions are taken, and a temporary crown is placed on your tooth/teeth.

2. You may experience sensitivity, gum soreness, and slight discomfort on the tooth/teeth; it should subside after the placement of the permanent crown(s).

3. Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.

4. A temporary crown is usually made of plastic-based material or soft metal. It can break if too much pressure is placed on it. The crown may also come off; if it does, save the crown and call our office. The temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth and prevent other teeth from moving. If it comes off it should be replaced as soon as possible. To avoid losing your temporary, do not chew on sticky or hard food (chewing gum, ice). Try to chew on the opposite side of the temporary as much as possible.

5. Continue your normal brushing but be careful while flossing around the temporaries (remove the floss gently from the side). If it is difficult to get the floss between the temporary and surrounding teeth, refrain from flossing until you receive your permanent crown.

6. After the permanent restoration is placed you may feel slight pressure for a few days. Also, the bite may feel different for a day or two. But if after 2-3 days the bite still feels uneven or if you feel discomfort when chewing on the tooth, call our office. Delaying the necessary adjustments may damage the tooth permanently.

7. Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.


Root Canal Treatment:

1. You may experience moderate pain and sensitivity to pressure on your tooth. Also, you may feel gum soreness for few days after your treatment. The healing process may take several days but the pain and discomfort should subside gradually.

2. Take any medication that was prescribed for you according to instructions.

3. Usually a temporary filling has been placed on your tooth; do not bite on the tooth for one hour and while you are numb. Also, until the permanent restoration is placed, be very gentle with the tooth. Try to chew with the opposite side.

4. Continue your brushing and flossing.

5. Follow up with the placement of your permanent restoration as you have been advised. Any unnecessary delay in placement of final restoration may damage the tooth permanently.

6. Call our office if you are in severe pain or experience swelling, or if you have any questions.


Teeth Cleaning (Deep Cleaning):

1. You may experience some cold and heat sensitivity (especially after deep cleaning).2- If you have received anesthesia do not eat anything until the numbness has worn off.

3. Continue your regular brushing and flossing.

4. Some bleeding for a day or two after cleaning is normal, but if you experience any excessive bleeding call our office.

5. Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.


Denture Delivery:

1. You will experience some discomfort with any new denture for a few days. All new dentures need several adjustments to completely and comfortably fit your mouth.

2. You should take the dentures out every night and keep them in a clean container filled with water or denture cleaning solution. Your gums need to rest and be without the dentures every day for a period of time.

3. Clean dentures thoroughly with a brush and water before putting them back in your mouth.

4. It may be difficult to talk normally with the new dentures for a few days. One way to practice is to read a book or newspaper out loud for a period of time everyday. Your tongue and muscles will get used to the new dentures and you will talk normally very soon.

5. Call our office if you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or if you have any questions.