339 Hancock Street, North Quincy, MA 02171 | Serving Quincy, Dorchester, and the South Shore
DMD, FAGD, FICOI, PC
Post Op Instructions for Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
How it will look:
It is normal for the gingiva to look tender with slight clotted areas immediately after the procedure. Your gums will return to normal appearance within the next day. Depending on how much inflammation there was pre treatment, you may notice in some areas the root surfaces may be showing more as the inflammation decreases. With proper maintenance your gums will slowly gather and tighten up with a decrease in swelling and inflammation. This will lead to more connective tissue attachment between the tooth surface and supporting bone. It is critical to maintain proper homecare while you are in the healing phase (4 to 6 weeks).
How it will feel:
Immediately after the procedure there will be some discomfort. It should subside within 1 to 2 days. Warm salt water rinses on an as needed basis are a good idea. You may also take an advil or tylenol. Make sure to avoid eating spicy foods and minimize alcohol and smoking.
As the gums gather there may be tooth sensitivity. You may be particularly sensitive to temperature changes and/ or sweets. This should slowly decrease over the next few weeks.
Other instructions:
We will often prescribe an antibiotic rinse, or recommend a natural product based on essential oils that promote gum healing. If there is any concern please reach out to our North Quincy office for assistance.
Post Op Instructions for Oral Surgery (Extractions)
Day 1:
Immediately after the procedure keep biting on the gauze for 30 to 60 minutes. Change the gauze with a fresh one as needed. It is important not to spit, rinse vigorously, suck on a straw, smoke, or drink alcohol or carbonated beverages.
The reason is to maintain the blood clot which will promote faster healing. Most importantly it will prevent a dry socket (which is exposed bone and very painful).
Day 2
You may experience one of the following symptoms: minor pain, swelling, bruising, decreased range of motion when opening or closing your mouth, pain in jaw or ear and sore throat. Get as much rest as possible. Don't lift anything heavy, exercise vigorously, spit, suck on straw drink alcohol or smoke.
Brushing: Brush gently. You may now rinse very slowly and gently with lukewarm salt water to freshen your mouth. But don't spit out the fluid, let it passively empty out.
You may take over the counter pain medication as needed. If there is swelling apply cold compresses to the area for 10 minutes at a time for the first 24 hours. Any swelling that happens will decrease after 72 hours. Please contact our office if there is no change.
There may be some oozing of blood within the first 1 to 2 days. Put a hand towel on your pillow as some drooling can occur when you are still numb. If you have an increased amount of bleeding apply firm pressure with a gauze folded up into a small wad. You can even use a moist tea bag to bite on and apply pressure to the area. Bite for 30 to 60 minutes and keep your head elevated. Call the office if the bleeding doesn't decrease.
Diet: Make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Avoid carbonated and alcoholic drinks. Continue with a soft diet. Examples are yogurt, smoothies (no straw), soups, chicken, fish or pasta. Avoid spicy foods.
It is common to feel tender while eating and difficulty opening wide.
If you have sutures avoid touching them. The dissolvable type will disappear on their own. If you have no non dissolvable type we will make an appointment for you to have them removed in 1 week.
Finish any prescriptions given to you, even if your symptoms subside and you feel better.
For any questions or concerns regarding your post surgical healing please contact us.
Post Op Instructions for Root Canal Treatment
After your treatment there may be mild to moderate discomfort. This is caused by inflammation around the root of the tooth and is considered a normal part of the healing process. You may experience symptoms such as a dull ache and tenderness. It may be sore when you chew or close on that area. If can also feel intense a few days after the treament was done but should gradually subside the next several days. Make sure not to eat on that tooth or area until the final restoration is in place.
Should your symptoms continue or worsen an apicoectomy may be required. This is a surgical procedure in which the end of the root is sealed through a small opening through the gum and bone overlying the root tip.
If there are any concerns please contact us.
Taking an anti-inflammatory pain medication such as Advil® or Motrin® will help. Your bite may feel different as well due to inflammation. This should also subside the next few days. If you have a history of grinding or clenching this will exacerbate the symptoms. If you have a night guard make sure to wear it and contact us if your bite continues to feel off. Make sure to finish your medication or antibiotics if you were prescribed one.
If you have developed swelling in that area please contact our office immediately.
After your root canal we will place a temporary filling. It is common for some temporary filling materials used after root canal to wear down a little. If you feel the temporary came off completely call us to replace it. Not replacing the filling could result in the tooth getting re infected.
It is important that teeth with root canal treatment have a crown placed on them in a timely manner. Endodontically treated teeth are more prone to fracture than teeth not treated with root canal. The crown should be placed within 3- 4 weeks.
Post Op Instructions for Crown and Bridge
For some crowns we will place you in a temporary crown. For bridges the temporary helps shape the contours of the gingiva to give a natural emergence profile of the teeth. It is common for the temporary to come off in between visits. If this happens you can contact us to re glue it back in. You can often find temporary filling material at your local pharmacy if you are unable to come in. It is important for the temporary crown to stay in place to avoid any fit issues upon cementation of your new permanent crown.
With your temporary and permanent crown you may feel some mild discomfort due to irritation during the treatment procedures. There may also be sensitivity to cold or pressure.
After we cement your new crown you may need a few days to adjust to your new tooth. Our mouth can often be highly aware of minute changes in how the teeth meet. If after a week and you have not gotten used to the new product please contact us so we may adjust your bite and balance it.