Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed it takes several days for the brain to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, call our office at Park Saratoga Dental Phone Number (408) 252-5678 so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.

It is normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. The teeth require some time to heal after removal of tooth structure and will be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 3-4 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.

Don’t be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. You’ll quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivation. This is because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside to normal in about a week.

Daily brushing and flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning appointments.

Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils) and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.

If you engage in sports let us know so we can make a custom mouth guard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard we have provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.

Dental crowns and dental bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.

Occasionally a temporary crown may come off. Call us at Park Saratoga Dental Phone Number (408) 252-5678 if this happens and bring the temporary crown with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration.

To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.

It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at Park Saratoga Dental Phone Number (408) 252-5678.

After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.

After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

Use the pain medication as directed. Call the office at Park Saratoga Dental Phone Number (408) 252-5678 if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.

It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at Park Saratoga Dental Phone Number (408) 252-5678.

Root canal therapy can take 1-2 appointments to complete. After each appointment when anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours. Avoid any chewing on the side of the treated tooth until the numbness has completely worn off.

A temporary filling or crown is placed by your dentist to protect the tooth between appointments.

Between appointments, it’s common (and not a problem) for a small portion of your temporary filling or crown to wear away or break off. If the entire filling falls out, or if a temporary crown comes off, please call our office so it can be replaced.

To protect the tooth and help keep your temporary in place:

• Avoid chewing sticky foods (especially gum).

• Avoid biting hard foods and hard substances, such as ice, fingernails and pencils.

• If possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth.

It’s normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal therapy appointment, especially when chewing. It is not uncommon for a tooth to be uncomfortable or even exhibit a dull ache immediately after receiving root canal therapy. This should subside within a few days (or even weeks). Even if you were not experiencing any discomfort prior to treatment, it is normal for you to experience some degree of discomfort for a few days after. The tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm.

To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended by your dentist. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.

If you were not prescribed a pain medication by us but are experiencing pain after your appointment, we recommend taking over the counter pain medication. We recommend ibuprofen (Motrin & Advil). Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with pain medications or should swelling develop, please call our office.

To further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with warm salt water; dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then rinse, swish, and spit. It’s important to continue to brush and floss normally.

Usually, the last step after root canal treatment is the placement of a crown on the tooth. A crown covers and protects the tooth from breaking in the future. Unless otherwise noted by the dentist, it is critical to have a crown placed on your root canal therapy treated tooth as soon as possible.

Delay in obtaining final restoration (crown) may result in fracture and/or possible loss of the tooth.

If your bite feels uneven, you have persistent pain, or you have any other questions or concerns, please call our dental office eat (408) 252-5678

When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.

It is normal to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity after your dental filling appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office at Park Saratoga Dental Phone Number (408) 252-5678.

You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at Park Saratoga Dental Phone Number (408) 252-5678.

After your surgical implant, a submergible implant has been placed in your mouth, remaining under the tissue and invisible for a period of 3-6 months, depending on your body’s healing process. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to examine the implant in about 4-5 months. For the remainder of the day, it's important to keep your head elevated at a 45-degree angle.

Starting the day after your surgery, you should use Perio Rx. Rinse your mouth gently twice a day for two weeks. The sutures, or stitches, will remain in your mouth for two weeks, after which a separate appointment will be scheduled for their removal. To keep them clean, use a toothbrush and Perio Rx. Additionally, smoking should be avoided as it can increase the risk of post-operative infection and hinder healing. It is also advised not to consume alcohol for 48 hours after surgery and to avoid very hot liquids and over-the-counter mouthwash containing alcohol.

Refrain from using a Water Pik until your implants have fully healed in the surgical area. You have been prescribed an antibiotic, and it’s crucial to follow the prescription and finish all tablets. If you experience symptoms such as hives, itching, a skin rash, or difficulty breathing, stop taking the antibiotics immediately and contact Dr. Ban. Discomfort is normal after surgery, and appropriate pain medication has been prescribed for you—take it as directed when needed.

Swelling is to be expected but can usually be managed. Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes on and off throughout the day, but do not use ice after the first day. If swelling persists on the second day, apply moist heat in the same way. You should also take Motrin as directed for pain or swelling. To achieve the full anti-inflammatory benefits, take four tablets of Motrin daily.

A small amount of bleeding after surgery is normal, but excessive bleeding should prompt you to call Dr. Ban. Avoid vigorous rinsing, as this may increase bleeding. Similarly, refrain from using straws immediately after surgery, as the suction can reopen the surgical wound and cause bleeding.

For your post-surgery diet, choose foods that won’t place excessive pressure on the surgical site. In many cases, you can continue your normal diet by chewing on the opposite side of the mouth. For more advanced surgeries, a semi-liquid or soft diet high in nutrition, such as fruit juices, soups, yogurts, oatmeal, or Ensure, may be recommended.

If you wear a flipper or partial denture, it’s advised not to use the appliance for the first 10 days after surgery. Once the sutures have been removed or dissolved, you may return to wearing it normally.

After the implant has integrated, Dr. Ban will place the healing abutment on the submerged implant, and you will be given instructions on how to care for it. After approximately two weeks with the healing abutment, you will be ready for the impression phase and final restoration.