
Before Intravenous Anesthesia Sedation
- Do not eat or drink anything, including water, for eight hours before your appointment.
- Avoid smoking for at least 12 hours prior to surgery. Ideally, reduce or quit smoking as far in advance as possible.
- A responsible adult must accompany you to the office, stay during the procedure, and drive you home afterward.
- Refrain from driving or operating machinery for 24 hours after receiving anesthesia.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up past your elbow and low-heeled shoes.
- Remove contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures before the surgery.
- Avoid wearing lipstick, heavy makeup, or nail polish on the day of the procedure.
- Inform the office if you are feeling unwell with symptoms like a cold, sore throat, or upset stomach or bowels.
- If you take regular oral medications, consult your doctor beforehand for guidance on how to manage them before your surgery.

After Cosmetic Reconstruction
Adjusting to the feel of your new bite will take time. When the bite or position of your teeth changes, it can take several days for your brain to recognize the new alignment or thickness as normal. If you continue to experience high spots or issues with your bite, please contact our office so we can schedule an adjustment.
It’s normal to feel some sensitivity to hot and cold as your teeth heal following the removal of tooth structure. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. To ease discomfort, rinse with warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times daily. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen (one tablet every 3-4 hours), can also help reduce any lingering pain.
Your speech may be slightly affected at first, but you’ll quickly adapt and return to normal. An increase in saliva is also common as your brain adjusts to the new size and shape of your teeth, and this should resolve within a week.
Daily brushing and flossing are essential to maintaining your new dental work. Removing plaque daily is critical for the long-term success of your teeth, as are routine cleaning appointments.
Be mindful of foods that could crack or damage your new teeth, such as hard items like ice, peanut brittle, or fingernails, as well as sticky candies. Smoking and foods like coffee, red wine, tea, and berries can cause staining, so try to minimize or avoid these.
If you participate in sports, let us know so we can create a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, be sure to wear the night guard provided. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile takes time, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns or questions. We’re here to help!

After Crown & Bridge Appointments
Crowns and bridges typically require two or three appointments to complete. During the first visit, the teeth are prepared, and molds of your mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while your custom restoration is being created. Because the teeth will be anesthetized, your tongue, lips, and roof of your mouth may feel numb. Avoid eating or drinking hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off.
If a temporary crown comes off, please contact our office and bring the crown with you so we can re-cement it. It is crucial to keep the temporary crown in place to prevent other teeth from shifting, which could affect the fit of your final restoration.
To ensure your temporary crowns stay in place, avoid sticky foods (like gum) and hard foods, and try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Brush your teeth as usual, but floss with care—slide the floss out to the side rather than pulling it up, which could dislodge the temporary crown.
Some sensitivity to temperature and pressure is normal after each appointment and should gradually subside within a few weeks after the final restoration is placed. Over-the-counter pain relievers may be used as recommended.
If your bite feels uneven, you experience persistent pain, or you have any other questions or concerns, please reach out to our office. We’re here to help!

After Tooth Extraction
After a tooth extraction, it’s essential for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and kickstart the healing process. For the first 30-45 minutes after the procedure, bite down on a gauze pad. If bleeding or oozing continues, replace the gauze and bite down firmly for another 30 minutes. You may need to repeat this several times.
Once the blood clot forms, avoid disturbing or dislodging it, as it is crucial for healing. For the next 72 hours, refrain from vigorous rinsing, sucking on straws, smoking, drinking alcohol, or brushing near the extraction site. These actions can disrupt the clot and slow the healing process. Also, limit strenuous exercise for 24 hours, as this can increase blood pressure and may cause further bleeding.
After the extraction, you may experience some pain and swelling. Applying an ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn to the area can help minimize swelling. Take pain medication as directed, and expect the swelling to subside within 48 hours.
Follow the instructions for pain medication. If the pain persists or the medication isn’t effective, contact our office. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue taking them for the full duration, even if symptoms improve. Stay hydrated and eat soft, nutritious foods on the day of the extraction. You can resume normal eating when you feel comfortable.
After 24 hours, resume your regular dental routine, including brushing and flossing at least once a day. This will help speed up the healing process and keep your mouth clean.
You should feel better after a few days and can return to your usual activities. However, if you experience heavy bleeding, severe pain, persistent swelling for 2-3 days, or any reaction to the medication, contact our office immediately.

After Composite Fillings
After receiving an anesthetic, your lips and tongue may remain numb for several hours. To avoid injury, refrain from chewing or drinking hot beverages until the numbness completely subsides, as it’s easy to accidentally bite or burn your tongue or lip.
It’s normal to experience some sensitivity to hot, cold, and pressure following your appointment. The injection sites may also be sore. Over-the-counter pain relief such as Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol, or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed) should help alleviate discomfort. If pressure sensitivity lasts for more than a few days or if sensitivity to hot or cold increases, please contact our office.
You can begin chewing with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic wears off, as they are fully set by the time you leave our office.
If your bite feels off, you experience ongoing pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please get in touch with our office. We’re here to assist you!

After Oral Surgery
Avoid disturbing the surgical site. Do not rinse, spit, or touch the wound on the day of the procedure. A metal healing abutment will be visible through the gum tissue.
Bleeding: Some bleeding or pink saliva is normal for the first 24 hours. If bleeding becomes excessive (mouth filling quickly with blood), apply a gauze pad directly to the wound and bite down firmly for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please contact us for further guidance.
Swelling: Swelling is common after surgery. To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack or a plastic bag filled with ice to the affected area. Keep the ice on as much as possible during the first 36 hours.
Diet: Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid hot drinks or foods. Stick to soft foods and liquids on the day of surgery. You can return to a normal diet as soon as you feel comfortable, unless advised otherwise.
Pain: Take pain medication as soon as the local anesthetic begins to wear off. For mild pain, take one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol every 3-4 hours. You can also use Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), 2-3 tablets every four hours, not exceeding 3200mg per day for adults. Consult our office for advice regarding children under 18. Do not take Tylenol and Ibuprofen at the same time.
For severe pain, take the prescribed medication as directed. Avoid driving or operating machinery, and refrain from drinking alcohol while on pain medication. Pain should gradually decrease each day; if it persists, contact our office for further evaluation.
Antibiotics: Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to reduce the risk of infection.
Oral Hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for proper healing. Use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed on the night of surgery. From the day after surgery, use it twice daily—after breakfast and before bed. Rinse for at least 30 seconds, then spit it out. Warm saltwater rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be done 4-5 times daily, especially after meals. Brush your teeth and the healing abutments gently at first.
Activity: Avoid strenuous physical activity right after surgery. Exercise may cause throbbing or bleeding; if this happens, stop exercising. Keep in mind that your nutritional intake may be limited, which can affect your energy levels and further hinder your ability to exercise.
Wearing Prosthetics: Avoid using partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures for at least 10 days post-surgery, as discussed during your pre-operative consultation.
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