Modern Dental Care of Queens | Inlays  amp  Onlays, Extractions and Cosmetic Dentistry

Home Care Instructions

Modern Dental Care of Queens | Inlays  amp  Onlays, Extractions and Cosmetic Dentistry

After Cosmetic Dental Reconstruction

It's true; cosmetic dental reconstruction can give you the smile you've always wanted! However, it can take a little bit of TLC and a few days to get used to the feel and function of your new smile.

As your brain gets used to changes in the size, shape, and contour of your new smile, you will find yourself increasingly comfortable speaking, smiling, and chewing. If, during this time, you notice any high spots that interfere with normal jaw movements or closing your teeth together, let our office know. It typically takes a minor adjustment to equilibrate the occlusion.

Following dental work, it's not usual to feel a bit of tooth sensitivity and/or gum soreness. Until the discomfort subsides, you can take a mild over-the-counter pain medication as directed. Warm salt water rinses three times a day to alleviate gum soreness and swelling can also help. Simply add a teaspoon of salt to cup of warm water.

Another natural response to new dental work is for your mouth to produce more saliva. Not to worry, this is only a temporary reaction. The flow of saliva gradually decreases back to a normal level.

Our office uses the leading techniques and the latest generations of dental materials to create healthy, attractive, and long-lasting smiles. Of course, to maintain a smile that serves you well for years to come also requires a commitment to good oral hygiene and routine checkups and care. You also need to avoid any harmful oral habits or foods that can compromise your newly restored smile and its long-term health. Avoid hard, sticky foods, chewing on ice, and foods or drinks that may stain your new restorations. If you play sports, ask our office about a custom mouthguard to protect your smile.

After Crown & Bridge Procedures

Fabricating and placing a dental crown or bridge may involve more than one visit. The first step in the procedure is to prepare the teeth selected for restorations. After the preparation of the involved teeth, an intraoral scan or dental impressions is taken. Then, a temporary or same-day full-coverage crown or bridge gets placed.

Preparing a tooth for a crown or a bridge is typically performed under local anesthesia. The numbness may linger for a couple of hours following the appointment. With that in mind, you must be mindful of what you eat or drink until full sensation returns. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing an unintentional injury.

Following the preparation of the involved tooth or teeth, you may experience some sensitivity and gum soreness. This discomfort typically subsides.

Although a temporary crown or bridge protects the underlying teeth, provisional restorations are far less durable than permanent ones. A temporary crown or bridge can easily break or dislodge. Therefore, until the permanent crown or bridge gets placed, it's essential to be extra careful. If your temporary has come off, please hold on to it. Contact our office, and we will set up an appointment to recement it. Do not attempt to do this on your own.

Remember to continue to maintain proper oral hygiene even if you are wearing a temporary crown or bridge. You may brush your teeth as before but be extra careful and gentle while flossing. If it is too challenging to floss around your new temporaries, you can abstain from flossing until your permanent crown or bridge gets cemented.

Before cementing your new crown or bridge, the shade, contours, fit, and occlusion are checked. Once that gets done, your new, permanent restoration is placed. Since you have been wearing a temporary, your bite may feel slightly different, and you may feel some pressure as the new restoration reestablishes appropriate contact with the adjacent teeth. If, after a couple of days, the bite still feels off or discomfort persists, contact our office. You may still require a minor adjustment.

Now that your new permanent crown or bridge is in place, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene. With proper care, your new restorations will last for years to come. Make sure to brush and floss as instructed. We'll show you how to floss under your dental bridge to keep your new smile clean and bright. Remember to make appointments for your routine checkups and professional cleanings.

We're dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. If you have any additional questions or concerns about your new restorations, feel free to contact our office.

Following Tooth Extraction

Following your extraction, some folded gauze gauze gets placed over the extraction site. Bite down on the gauze pad for 1 hour. Maintaining pressure on the gauze as instructed should stop any active bleeding. You may change the gauze pad after the first hour. Continue to bite down for another 45 minutes if heavy oozing continues. While it's normal for a little oozing to continue for 24 hours, contact our office if you are still experiencing profuse oozing or bleeding.

Until the local anesthetic has completely worn off, it's essential to protect yourself from unintentionally biting or injuring your lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue. If you have been prescribed antibiotics, please be sure to take the correct dosage and complete course of the medication as prescribed.

Get a jump start on any post-op discomfort. It's helpful to take a pain reliever before the local anesthetic completely wears off. Over the counter (non-aspirin) pain medication may be sufficient to relieve discomfort. Remember, prescription pain medication should get taken only as directed.

To help facilitate healing,do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, or suck on candies. It's essential to allow the extraction site to clot and not dislodge the new clot once it has formed. We may also recommend an ice pack over the facial area next to the extraction site. It helps control post-operative swelling. Apply the ice for 10-minute intervals during the first day following your procedure.

Avoid smoking and tobacco products for the first week. Smoking not only prevents clot formation, but it also interferes with healing. Also, stay away from hot or spicy foods and drinks for the first day or two and refrain from drinking any carbonated or alcoholic beverages. Stick with a diet of soft foods and liquids for the first few days following surgery. Drink plenty of fluids.

After A White Filling

Immediately following your dental visit, you may experience lingering numbness. Normal sensation typically returns within an hour or two. However, until the anesthetic has completely worn off, it's essential to protect yourself from unintentionally biting or injuring your lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue. Be mindful when chewing, drinking hot beverages, or smoking.

Remember, now that your tooth has been restored and rebuilt, it may feel slightly different.While we take the utmost care to polish your new filling and make sure the bite is correct, on rare occasions, a patient may feel additional minor smoothing or further bite adjustment is required.

It's perfectly normal for a tooth to feel a little sensitive following the placement of a filling. You may experience a twinge when eating cold or hot foods and beverages. This sensitivity should subside by itself within a few days. If your sensitivity worsens, you experience ongoing pain, or you develop other symptoms, please get in touch with our office.

Our office uses the latest generations of strong and durable tooth-colored composite fillings to look naturally beautiful and blend seamlessly with your smile. With proper oral hygiene and routine care, your new filling should last for many years to come. However, in cases of extensive tooth decay or injury to the underlying tooth, even the best restoration may need to get replaced and further dental work performed down the road.

We're dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact our office.

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Modern Dental Care of Queens 80-46 Kew Gardens Road Kew Gardens, NY 11415