Post-op for Fillings/Crowns

Tooth Colored and Amalgam  Fillings:

Your anesthesia will wear off in approximately 1 to 3 hours after the procedure. It is very important not to chew on the numb side (to prevent biting tongue, lip, etc.) until the anesthesia wears off.

Your tooth (or teeth) may be sensitive to hot, cold or pressure from this procedure. Your gum tissue may also be tender.   This is COMPLETELY normal. The more invasive the procedure (deeper the cavity), the more sensitivity you may experience. The possible symptoms of hot, cold or pressure will cease within a few days to a couple of weeks. In very few instances, this sensitivity could last longer than a couple of weeks. As long as your teeth or gums are continuing to feel better each day , (and not getting worse) everything should heal well.    If you are having extreme sensitivity to cold or hot that lingers for more than 30 seconds or pain/ throbbing that wakes you up at night please call us. 

Ibuprofen, Aleve, or Tylenol  may help to reduce the inflammation in the area worked on, and will further reduce hot, cold and pressure sensitivity if taken as directed. If you are allergic to or cannot tolerate ibuprofen, Aleve, or Tylenol  please advise us. If discomfort continues for more than a couple of weeks, please call our office.

Once the anesthesia has worn off and you feel as though any of the teeth we have worked on are hitting first, please give the office a call immediately. This imbalance with your bite may cause further discomfort and should be adjusted.

Crowns, Bridges or Veneers:

These post-op instructions are almost identical to those of a filling (see above),  with the exception of the following additional instructions:

Temporary Crown/Bridge

It is extremely important for the temporary crown/bridge to remain on the tooth until we seat your permanent crown. If your temporary crown becomes loose or comes off at any time, please call the office immediately. Your tooth can shift within a few hours if your temporary is missing, which can inhibit the placement of your permanent crown. You may also experience sensitivity if your temporary comes off.

Please note: With your temporary, avoid hard and chewy foods (such as ice, hard candy, gum, taffy). These are known to pull temporaries off the prepared tooth.

It is important to floss your temporary. However, instead of pulling the floss back up through the teeth, release one end of the floss and pull it through the side of the tooth.

Again once the anesthesia has worn off and you feel as though any of the teeth we worked on are hitting first, please give the office a call immediately. This imbalance with your bite may cause further discomfort and should be adjusted.