Dental Implant
Your New Tooth Implant, Success!
Congratulations on receiving your new implant! Your functional and beautiful dental implant is the best most modern implants that we provide. We are confidant this comfortable natural feeling restoration will provide you with many years of satisfaction. To insure that all goes as we have planned, please read and follow these instructions:
Your First Few Weeks
For several days, please chew more carefully on these restorations than on your natural teeth. We will adjust the bite (occlusion) on future appointments if necessary until the teeth are well balanced. After you have adjusted to the prosthesis, it should function in a similar manner to your natural teeth.
The Future of Your New Smile
Your examination and professional cleaning appointments are very important to the long-term success of your prosthesis. If your personal and professional cleanings and your examination appointments are accomplished routinely, your restorations should serve many years. Please contact us immediately if you experience any of the following conditions.
Feeling of looseness
Peculiar taste
Clicking or metallic snap while eating
Breakage of a piece of the prosthesis
Redness in the gum tissue around the implant
Feeling of the bite being different
Cleaning the Implants and Prosthesis
Please be aware that the continuing success of the implant and prosthesis is up to you. How well you follow through with your Hygiene visits and completing the items checked will determine the final outcome.
Be sure to visit us for examination, cleaning and polishing at least once every 6 months. Clean the implants(s) and prostheses daily, especially before bedtime using floss and tooth brush. A mechanical tooth brush such as Sonicare Elite (available through our office) is highly recommended.
Please ask us about anything that is unclear relative to proper cleaning.
Thanks for your trust in the Plano dentists at Story Dental. We look forward to helping you enjoy your new permanent tooth.
Root Canal Post Op Care
Common Benefits Following A Procedure
Relieves pain
Saves tooth from extraction
Prevents the spread of infection
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered
What is root canal therapy? It is the removal of pulpal tissue from the tooth in an attempt to cure an existing infection, cyst or granuloma. Studies indicate that root canal treatment is 90 to 95% successful.
How many appointments will it take? Usually one or two appointments depending on the situation. A third, short appointment is necessary if you are having a crown after the root canal.
Will I have pain after my procedure? It is not uncommon for you to experience an uncomfortable or dull ache after your root canal. Sensitivity upon biting is also common. These symptoms can last up to a week.
If I’ve had the nerve removed from my tooth, why is it possible that it could hurt after a procedure? Sometimes the infection in your tooth spreads to tissues under the roots of your tooth and can cause pain. This will heal once the canals of your tooth are cleansed of the infection.
Will I have swelling afterwards, if so what should I expect? In some cases swelling will occur in the area. If this occurs, please call us to let us know. Antibiotic therapy may be necessary. The swelling will usually subside in 2-3 days. Occasionally, a small “bubble” or pimple will appear on the gum tissue beside the tooth. This is a release of pressure and bacteria from around the tooth and should go away within a week.
What about medications following a procedure? Depending on your case, pain medication and/or antibiotics will be prescribed. Please take them only as directed.
Why do I need a crown after a root canal? Doing a root canal weakens the tooth. A crown is needed to maintain the strength of the tooth.
Temporary Restorations
Please chew on the other side from your root canal. Avoid sticky, chewy or crunchy foods to prevent cracking the tooth or your temporary. If any problems arise, feel free to call the office.
Temporary restorations are designed to cover and protect your tooth while the permanent restoration is being fabricated. This means that you will be wearing the temporary for approximately 2-3 weeks. These temporaries are usually made of acrylic or anodized aluminum and will not look or feel like your final restoration. The temporary is cemented with temporary cement; therefore, great care must be taken to avoid dislodging or breaking your temporary.
While wearing your temporary you may note that the surface may not be as smooth as your natural tooth surface, you may also notice that the temporary feels a little larger than your original tooth size. Please keep in mind that it is very common for your temporized tooth to exhibit sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
The following is a list of tips that can help you maintain the temporary:
Avoid chewing directly on the temporary. Try to chew on the other side if possible.
Avoid sticky, hard or crunchy foods.
Please do not chew gum.
Avoid extremely hot or cold foods and drinks.
Brush the area gently, but do not floss around the temporary. (This is the only situation that I’ll recommend that you shouldn’t floss)
Advil or Tylenol may be taken as directed on the bottle for any discomfort you may experience.
If your temporary works loose or comes off, that’s okay. Please call us at your convenience and we will schedule an appointment for recementation.
Post Extraction Care
Drink Lots of Fluids on the day of the extraction.
Don’t Clean Teeth next to extraction site for the first 24 hrs.
Do Not Rinse Mouth Today:
Tomorrow, rinse mouth gently every 3 to 4 hrs (especially after meals) using 1 teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Continue to rinse for several days.
Bleeding:
Some bleeding following extraction is to be expected. Place a damp gauze for 30-45 minutes. If persistent bleeding occurs, place folded gauze pads or a moist tea bag over the bleeding area and bite down firmly for ½ hour. Repeat if necessary. Calm activity for 1st 24 hrs keeps your blood pressure low to reduce bleeding.
Swelling:
If swelling occurs, an ice bag or chopped ice wrapped in a towel should be applied on the operate area 15 minutes on, and 15 minutes off, for 4 hours.
Food:
A soft diet is advisable for the first 24 hrs. Do not drink though a straw, as this will loosen the clot formed over the extraction site.
NO SMOKING, ALCOHOLIC or Carbonated Beverages for 24 hrs after extraction.
Pain:
If you experience mild to average pain, use pain reliever such as Motrin, Advil or Extra Strength Tylenol (for children, use Children’s Strength Formula) unless you’re allergic to one of these medications. For more severe pain, use prescribed medication. Do not take these medications on an empty stomach.
IF ANY UNUSUAL SYMPTOMS OCCUR, CALL THE OFFICE AT ONCE.
Brush Teeth:
Brush your teeth the following day after extraction. Remember, a clean mouth is a happy mouth! Brush tongue, Floss once a day.
Bony Edges:
Small, sharp bone fragments may work up through the gums during healing. These are not roots; if they are annoying, please call us and we will see you for their simple removal.
Antibiotics:
If antibiotics have been prescribed for your case, you must take them as directed until they are all gone.
Sutures: If sutures were placed, they will dissolve in 3-4 days unless otherwise directed.
Dry Socket:
This is a dull, aching sensation that may occur 3-4 days after extraction. If this persists, please call our office so that we can medicate the extraction site.
New Filling, Crown, Bridge or Veneers Post Op Care
Following My Procedure, How Do I Care For Myself?
We are proud to be your partner in maintaining optimal oral health. Your restoration will add to the life span of your tooth, protect your tooth and in the case of a cosmetic restoration, add to the beauty and function of your dentition.
Following a new restoration, you should be aware of these items:
If you were anesthetized, the numbness will last approximately 2 – 4 hours. Please be careful to avoid biting your lip, tongue or cheek while numb. Also, avoid hot coffee or other beverages while numb.
It is common to experience soreness in the jaw around the site of the injection. If this doesn’t go away within 3 – 4 days, please let us know.
If you have sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, it is usually transient and should go away within a couple of weeks.
If you experience a sensation that your teeth are not coming together properly or it feels “high”, please call us for a simple adjustment.
If you experience any severe pain or swelling, please let us know.
Advil, Motrin or Aleve is the recommended medication for any of these symptoms (for patients not allergic to these products).
Post Scaling and Root Planing Instructions
Please read and follow these steps. They will make you more comfortable and prevent possible complications.
CARE OF YOUR MOUTH:
If your gums are bleeding, lightly rinse your mouth 2-3 times per day with warm salt water. One teaspoon salt / 8 oz. water until bleeding stops. If bleeding does not stop or is severe please call the office. Otherwise rinse with prescribed medication PerioPlus or Perioguard twice a day according to the oral hygiene instruction sheet.
SWELLING:
Swelling or jaw stiffness rarely occurs. However if it does, place a warm moist towel to the face in the area of stiffness.
SMOKING:
Please do not smoke following scaling and root planing procedures. Tobacco smoke is an irritant to healing. Refrain from smoking for 48 hours or longer.
DISCOMFORT:
Your gums and teeth may become uncomfortable after Scaling and Root planing. Pain relievers such as Advil or Tylenol should eliminate any discomfort. Sensitivity to cold may temporarily occur. Removing all plaque from the tooth and brushing with Oxyfresh toothpaste/Flouridex 50000ppm toothpaste and or rinsing with Oxyfresh Power Rinse will help reduce the sensitivity.
EATING:
Your next meal should be soft. Avoid any hard foods like Fritos, Potato chips, Popcorn, etc. for the next 3-4 days.
ANTIBIOTICS:
If antibiotics are prescribed for your case, please take them as directed until all gone.
FOLLOW UP:
You will need a follow up Fine Scale and Polish visit after all Scaling and Root planing is complete. It is critical that we see you every 3 months to clean your teeth again to avoid bacterial recontamination and to evaluate your progress.
Periodontal disease unlike other diseases cannot be cured by your doctor or medication alone. Overcoming this disease will largely rest on your efforts. Our part of the treatment is only the beginning. It is critical that you follow the oral hygiene and medication regimens. Without your commitment to a healthy mouth, your efforts and ours will have been in vain. You will be given an Oral Hygiene Instruction Sheet that will explain in detail your part in your treatment.
The Oral Hygiene Team and the Doctors of Story Dental are on the cutting edge of periodontal therapy. We are dedicated to providing you the finest, most proven treatment available. Whether it’s treating periodontal disease or providing regular cleanings for you and your family, our hygiene department is committed to helping you achieve and/or maintain optimal oral health.
If you have any questions or concerns after your procedure, please do not hesitate to call our office at 972.514.1449.