Cosmetic Dentistry, Racine Dental Group of Racine, Wisconsin

INFORMATION FOLLOWING AMALGAM RESTORATIONS (SILVER FILLINGS)

Do not bite together hard or eat on fresh amalgam restorations for 2-3 hours. It would be best to avoid chewing in these areas until the next day to allow the restoration to fully harden and set.

Sensitivity, especially to cold, is common for a few days following placement of the filling. Sensitivity is usually the most notable 12 - 24 hours after the anesthetic wears off. Amalgams are made up of a mixture of metals - and metals are good conductors of hot and cold. Usually the deeper the cavity, the more sensitive the tooth will be and the longer it will last. The sensitivity may last for up to a few weeks to a few months and will usually subside gradually. We have placed one or two layers of insulation to attempt to reduce this occurrence.

The finished restoration may be contoured differently and have a different texture than the original tooth. Your tongue will magnify this difference at first but you will become accustomed to it in a few days.

The gum tissue could have been irritated during the procedure and may be sore for a few days together with the anesthetic injection site.

Children should be observed until the anesthetic wears off. Due to the strange feeling of the anesthetic, many children will chew the inside of their lips, checks, or tongue which can cause injury. INFORMATION FOLLOWING COMPOSITE (TOOTH COLORED, RESIN) RESTORATIONS:

Composite fillings may be sensitive to temperature, especially cold, or bite. Sensitivity is usually the most notable 12-24 hours after the anesthetic wears off. Your bite seems fine right now but your sense of touch will be much finer when the anesthetic wears off. If you need us to adjust your bite, please call to schedule a time. It is a very simple procedure and will take only a few minutes.

You may chew on composite restoration as soon as the anesthetic wears off as these restorations harden right away.

The gum tissue could have been irritated during the procedure and may be sore for a few days together with the anesthetic injection site.

The finished restoration may be contoured slightly different and have a different texture than the original tooth. Your tongue will magnify this difference but you will become accustomed to it in a few days.

Children should be observed until the anesthetic wears off. Due to the strange feeling of the anesthetic, many children will chew the inside of their lips, cheeks, or tongue which can cause injury. POST - EXTRACTION INSTRUCTIONS Please Read and Follow These Instructions Carefully

Each individual reacts differently to extractions. Therefore, not all of these instructions may apply. Only use those appropriate for your circumstances. The proper care following extractions will hasten recovery and prevent complications.

Bleeding
A wet gauze is placed over the extraction site to prevent excessive bleeding and to promote the healing blood clot. Keep constant, non-interrupted pressure on it for 30-35 minutes and replace it if bleeding continues. Slight bleeding for a few days following an extraction is normal. IF persistent bleeding occurs, rinse gently with ice cold water and place gauze pads or cold wet tea bag over the bleeding area. Bite down firmly on the gauze or tea bag for 45 minutes. Again, ensure that the pressure is constant and non-interrupted. Repeat if necessary.

Rinsing
Refrain from rinsing for 48 hours following the extraction. After 24 hours, gentle rinsing with warm salt water is recommended. (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water every 3-4 hours.)

Swelling
Swelling is to be expected and usually reaches its maximum in 48-72 hours. To minimize swelling, cold packs or ice bag wrapped in a towel should be applied to the face adjacent to the extraction area. This should be applied 20 minutes on, then removed for 20 minutes during the first 12-24 hours after the extraction. After 24 hours, it is usually best to switch from using the cold pack, to applying moist heat or low-temperature heating pad to the same area until the swelling has receded.

Avoid
For the first 48 hours, refrain from smoking or drinking alcoholic and/or carbonated beverages. They are a detriment to the healing process. In addition, avoid the use of a straw. The suction could dislodge the healing clot.

Healing
Touching the extraction site with fingers, toothpicks and/or tongue may cause irritation, increased bleeding and/or infection. The blood clot, which forms over the area, is nature's way of healing and should not be disturbed. It is not uncommon for small, sharp bone fragments to work their way through the gums. They can be removed by the dentist if they are annoying.

Diet
A soft, bland diet with plenty of cold liquids is recommended for the first day. Stay away from very hot foods. Nuts, popcorn or foods with seeds should also be voided because they can become lodged in the socket. Chewing should be done away from the extraction site.

Medication
Unfortunately, extractions may cause some discomfort for a few days. A non-aspirin analgesic is the drug of choice. If an over-the-counter pain medication does not relieve the discomfort, a stronger medication can be prescribed.

Oral Hygiene
Keeping your mouth clean after extractions is essential since the accumulation of food or debris may promote infection. Make every effort to brush and floss within your comfort level. Be extra gentle near the extraction site. This will eliminate the bad breath and unpleasant taste that is common after an extraction.

Dry Socket
Failure of a blood clot to form results in a dry socket. This would usually be most noticeable and painful on the the 3rd to 5th day. The symptoms include: constant, nagging pain in the jaw area that persists several days after the extraction. If this sever pain persists, the dentist can easily relieve this condition.

It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. If you have any questions about your progress or any symptoms you are experiencing, please call our office. For your convenience, Racine Dental Group, S.C. has a twenty-four hour answering service.

Main Switchboard and 24-hour Answering Service: 262-637-9371 ROOT CANAL TREATMENT: Postoperative Instructions

Your root canal treatment may take one or more visits to complete. During treatment, your dentist will remove the diseased pulp, then clean, shape and fill the root canal to prevent recontamination. This brochure will help answer some of your questions about what to expect and how to take care of your mouth after treatment.

What to expect after Treatment
Because cleaning the root canals may cause inflammation of tissue surrounding the tooth, you may experience some discomfort for a day or so. Over-the-count analgesics usually alleviate the discomfort.
Talk with your dentist abut which medication to take. If the discomfort continues, or if you have severe pain or swelling, call your dentist.
Between appointments a temporary medicated filling or crown is placed. It is not uncommon for these soft medicated fillings to partially wear between appointments. Because temporary restorations will eventually loosen, see your dentist promptly following completed root canal treatment for a final restoration.
Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed to help control infection. Please take all medication as directed. Antibiotics are not routinely prescribed to reduce the chance of developing a resistance to them.

How to Take Care of Your Mouth
Avoid chewing or biting directly on the treated tooth until your dentist replaces the temporary restoration.
If medication is prescribed, take it only as directed.
Return for a follow-up exam after treatment as directed to make sure there has been proper healing of the tissues surrounding the tooth root.

Retreatment May Occasionally be Necessary Even though the pulp of the tooth was removed, the tooth is still nourished from surrounding tissues. As with any living tissue, treatment is occasionally unsuccessful and a retreatment, or removal of the tooth, may be necessary. SCALING AND ROOT PLANING: After Care Instructions

Following Scaling and Root Planing you can expect to notice less redness, and less bleeding, and less swelling of your gum tissue. Your gum health can be maintained with proper home care and regular professional care.

DISCOMFORT/PAIN

Discomfort or pain should be acute and should subside in a few days. Discomfort immediately after treatment is usually associated with slight throbbing or aching and occasionally may be uncomfortable. This discomfort usually subsides in about four hours. Any discomfort due to brushing should get better in one to three days.

TOOTH SENSITIVITY

Teeth may be sensitive to temperature changes and/or sweets. The sensitivity to temperature may be intense the first two or three days.

BLEEDING

Some slight bleeding may occur during the next several brushings but the bleeding should steadily decrease after two or three days.

APPEARANCE

Root surfaces may be more exposed as the inflammation subsides. This may result in more spaces between teeth.

INSTRUCTIONS TO MINIMIZE SYMPTOMS

DIET/EATING—If extensive root planning was performed, chewing hard foods, such as meat or raw vegetables may be uncomfortable; this should last no longer than a few days. A diet of softer consistency would be advised until chewing becomes more comfortable.

DISCOMFORT/PAIN/SENSITIVITY—If a local anesthetic was used, avoid chewing foods until feeling returns to avoid injury to the tongue or cheeks. Acetaminophen or a non-aspirin analgesic should be taken as needed to reduce discomfort. If tooth sensitivity persists, use a desensitizing dentifrice (toothpaste) containing potassium nitrite. If the sensitivity is severe and prolonged, professional application of a desensitizing agent may be required.

ORAL HYGIENE

If gum tissues are tender, brush your teeth gently but thoroughly; this may take a little more time than normal. By the third to fourth day, normal oral hygiene techniques can be resumes. Mouth rinsing is recommended with either of the following solutions: (1) an antimicrobial rinse, or (2) a warm saline rinse. Use of these rinsed should be limited to one to two weeks.