Patient Resources

We want to ensure you have all the information you need for a smooth and successful recovery from your sinus graft. These post-operative instructions are designed to guide you through the healing process to help prevent infection, post-operative issues, and to aid in the success of the sinus graft so a future implant and prosthetics can be placed in that area. Please review the following guidelines carefully and reach out to our office with any questions or concerns. Your well-being is our top priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

1. Do not under any circumstance blow your nose for the next 4 weeks. This may be longer if indicated. You may sniff all you like, but no blowing.
2. Try not to sneeze. If you do have to sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open. This is also in effect for approximately 4 weeks. If you feel congested, any over-the-counter decongestant is fine.
3. Do not use a straw, spit, or play a musical instrument that requires blowing. These can loosen the blood clot in the socket.
4. Please follow the full instructions given to you regarding rinsing and keeping the surgical area clean, since accumulation of food or debris may promote infection.
5. Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. Take medications with food unless otherwise stated.

We want your recovery to be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Our post-treatment instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please contact us. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

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We hope you are doing well after your dental implant procedure. To support your recovery and ensure the best possible results, we have prepared a set of post-operative instructions for you. These are key steps and recommendations to follow in the coming days to promote healing and comfort. Please read the instructions thoroughly, and don't hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or need further assistance. Your health and satisfaction are very important to us, and we are here to help you through every stage of your recovery.

Here is what you need to know after your implant placement:

1. First of all, it is best to completely leave the implant alone for the first 2 weeks after placement. You may want to limit foods to softer items and chew in an area away from the implant during the 10 to 12 week integration stage. Especially for the first 48 hours.
2. Some minimal bleeding can always occur after oral surgery. Follow the instructions you were given regarding the management of any bleeding.
3. Swelling can be normal after a procedure such as this. It is a normal way of the body reacting after a surgical procedure. See your written instructions on how to manage any swelling.
4. Be sure to follow your doctor's recommendations on which medications to use for any pain and any antibiotics that might have been prescribed.
5. Any physical activity or heavy lifting should be avoided for the first 48 hours.
6. Your implant will have to integrate into your bone and the length of time for integration will depend on the location of your implant. It could take between 4-6 months. We will schedule your next appointment for a postoperative visit and determine how you are healing.

It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, contact us.

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We are here to support you along this journey of dental treatment. These instructions are some of the main topics in the post-operative instructions given to you for taking care after a tooth removal and placement of graft material in the extraction area.

The graft tries to help preserve the jawbone and surrounding structures to stabilize the area for future implant placement or prosthetic treatment.

The bone graft material usually consists of many small particles. You could come across some of those tiny particles in your mouth the next few days. Don't be alarmed because it's normal for some few particles to come loose but overall you want to preserve the integrity of the graft.

Follow the steps below to help:

1. Don't disturb or touch the area with your finger or tongue.
2. No spitting and avoid rinsing for the first 48 hours to prevent anything in the area getting dislodged.
3. Do not lift or pull on your lip to look at the area. That action can cause tearing and loss of the suture and graft material.
4. Do not smoke.
5. Any following swelling is possible after the surgery. Ice packs, bags of ice can be used to assist.
6. Follow your Doctor's instructions for the use of over the counter pain medications or any prescriptions that might have been given to you.

This extraction and bone grafting procedure will have to heal for a certain period of time before the area is stable enough to place an implant. Many times that could be at least 4-6 months. At this point, your job is to relax, follow these instructions, and allow this bone to integrate into your body.

You should experience no trouble if you follow the instructions and suggestions as outlined. But if any concerns develop, such as excessive bleeding, pain, or difficulty in opening your mouth, contact our office immediately for further instructions or additional treatment.

Congratulations! You are the owner of a new Bright White Smile! You need to know some post op information on how to protect your investment in yourself and get the most out of your new white smile. For 48 hours after the treatment, the teeth are more susceptible to staining.

Be sure to avoid the following:

1. Red Wine, Cola, Coffee, and tea
2. Berries such as cherries, blueberries, and strawberries
3. Tobacco products
4. Red sauces, Mustard, Ketchup, and Soy sauce

First 24 hours: During the first 24 hours after whitening treatment, some patients can experience some mild tooth sensitivity or pain. The most susceptible areas would be where there has been gum recession and untreated areas of tooth decay.

Tooth Brightness: It is normal to lose some of the brightness after the first few days when the teeth start to rehydrate themselves. This will be your new normal shade for a while. If you can avoid the above staining liquids for as long as possible, your whiter teeth will last longer.

Home Whitening Trays: You can also ask us about at home whitening trays for touch ups! This can keep you going whiter and brighter longer!

Also, share your smile! Post your smile on social media and tag us!

You made the right decision by having a computerized crown made in our office. This is not new technology but it is new dentistry for you. We want to share some information with you so you have knowledge and the correct expectations with your new crown.

• Do not chew on anything hard or sticky for 24 hours from the time it was cemented. This action could crack or dislodge your new same day restorations. The resin cement used can take a full day to get to its maximum strength.
• It may take a few days to get used to your new crown after the final cementation. Hot and cold sensitivity may occur for a few weeks and occasionally may last for several months. This depends on the measure of damage that the tooth had succumbed to.
• If the bite does not feel comfortable, please contact us and make an appointment so that we may adjust it. If you choose not to contact us, you risk breaking the crown or creating extreme cold sensitivity on that tooth that may lead to unnecessary treatment. You are definitely not a bother to us!
• For reasons involving strength and ability to clean the area, the new restoration could be contoured slightly and have a different texture. Your tongue usually magnifies these changes, but you will become accustomed to this in a few days.

If you have any other questions or concerns about your new crown, we are here for you. We look forward to continuing any additional treatment needs you have.

The time after your surgery is just as important as the procedure itself. You will need to adhere to these post-op instructions for the next 5-7 days or until you begin to feel the site or sites are healing. If you were given any additional instructions in the office, please follow those as well.

Do not disturb the area for the next few days, especially the first 24-48 hours. The area will need a good clot to form which initiates the healing process. Actions like swishing, spitting, sucking through a straw, carbonated beverages, and smoking can all dislodge the clot. Losing the clot can delay healing plus increase the chance of getting a dry socket postoperative complication.

After 24 hours you may begin gentle rinsing with a saltwater solution (1/2 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon baking soda + 8 ounces warm water). Avoid commercial mouth rinses. Many ingredients in them will irritate the healing tissue.

If a gauze pad has been placed over the surgical area, it should be kept in place for 10-20 minutes. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, insert another gauze pad or tea bag and bite firmly for another 10-20 minutes. Depending on the complexity of the treatment, this might have to be done a few times. Do not fall asleep with the gauze in your mouth.

Any additional swelling is possible after the surgery. Ice packs, and bags of ice can be used to assist. Place ice packs on the outside of the face over the area of the site for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off during the next few hours.

Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery for 3 days.

Follow your Doctor's instructions for the use of over-the-counter pain medications or any prescriptions that might have been given to you.

Eat soft foods for the first two days. Return to normal regular meals as soon as it is reasonably comfortable to do so. Stay hydrated without drinking through a straw and avoid alcohol for 48 hours.

Avoid strenuous activities and no heavy lifting for 48 hours.

Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected. Please contact our office if you have any additional questions about your treatment or your post-operative care.

You have taken the first step in treating one of the most prevalent diseases in dentistry. Periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and strokes. It is very important that you complete all of your treatment and then begin your Periodontal Maintenance procedures to prevent this disease from recurring. The following instructions are some of the main topics in the full post-operative instructions given to you after your periodontal treatment.

• Follow your doctor's recommendation regarding which over-the-counter medication to use for any mild to moderate post operative discomfort.
• Clean the area with a soft toothbrush. The cleaner the area is kept, the faster the healing and the more successful control of the gum disease.
• It is within normal expectations that in the areas treated, the teeth will be slightly more responsive to hot or cold items. Use the recommended toothpaste mentioned to you at the office to assist with the sensitivity and remember: the cleaner the area is kept, the faster it will subside.

If you have any concerns prior to your next appointment, please contact our office and ask to speak with your Hygienist.

You are the proud owner of new white fillings! These fillings should last you for many years to come. Here is what you can expect after your appointment:

Usually the bite contacts are set up correctly at the time the filling(s) are placed but many times the numbness of the anesthesia can interfere with your "real" bite. If the bite feels like the tooth is interfering with chewing or "high" it is important to contact the office as this will not go away on its own and could get worse with time.

After a filling is placed in a tooth, it could have a heightened response to hot or cold that sometimes can last for several weeks. The intensity, if it's present, can depend on the extent of tooth decay or damage that was present.

The new restoration could have a different feel to your tongue depending on what was present before. Usually the tongue will get used to the different contour or texture in a few days.

You should not experience any trouble if you follow the instructions and suggestions as outlined. But if any concerns develop, such as excessive bleeding, pain, or difficulty in opening your mouth, contact our office immediately for further instructions or additional treatment.

We are glad you have taken these steps to treat the needs we brought to your attention. We look forward to bringing you back to complete and optimal health!

Did you know that needing a root canal is what actually causes the pain. We've been working to make your root canal as painless as possible! We are so glad that you decided to keep your tooth and treat it with Endodontic (Root Canal) Therapy.

The following instructions are some of the main topics in the full post-operative instructions given to you after your Endodontic procedure. It's meant to help assist you in managing the area to help prevent infection and other post operative issues.

• Some tenderness can be possible in the injection site and these temporary symptoms usually respond well to over-the-counter pain medication.
• Do not chew anything hard or sticky in that area as you either have a temporary filling or temporary crown.
• If you have been given prescriptions for any pain medication or antibiotics be sure to follow their written instructions.

Though you may experience a slightly different sensation from your treated tooth than your other teeth for some time, you should contact the office immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe pain or pressure lasting more than a few days
• Visible swelling inside or outside your mouth
• Your bite feels uneven
• The temporary crown or filling, if one was put in place, comes out (losing a thin layer is normal)

Even though you chose to eliminate the pain that the tooth was causing by taking the nerve out of the tooth and sealing off the tooth at the bottom of your roots, there is more that needs to be completed to make your tooth healthy and strong. Typically we recommend your tooth should have a Core Build up completed to replace all of the missing inside of the tooth where the nerve was accessed as well as a crown on the outside of the tooth to provide strength and stability.

If you have additional questions about this treatment or any additional treatment that we have recommended for this tooth or any other teeth, please contact us. We have comfortable financing options to fit any budget. Let us help you complete your treatment.

Thank you for spending part of your day with us! Here is a video explaining the treatment we did and what you can expect at your next appointment:

You currently have a temporary crown in place held with temporary cement. We would like to share some instructions with you to make this waiting period easy while your permanent crown is being constructed.

• Absolutely do not chew anything sticky in the area of any temporary crowns. They are put on with a temporary cement designed to be able to remove easily when it is time for your permanent restoration. Remember, no gum, no caramel, and no taffy.
• While your temporary crown is in place, it is important to keep your gum tissue as clean and healthy as possible. Continue to thoroughly brush and floss every day. However, when flossing, take special care to pull the floss out from the side rather than out from the top. Pulling out from the top can cause the temporary crown to come loose.
• If your temporary crown does come off, contact the office immediately so we can arrange a time to come in to cement it back into place. Do not attempt to "glue" the temporary crown back in yourself or "go without it" as the tooth may become sensitive or even actually drift in position. If drifting occurs the new crown will not fit and then a new impression or scan will be required.

You should have an appointment to return for your permanent crown to be placed. Please make sure that you return for this appointment. This temporary crown is intended to only last a few weeks. Your permanent crown will feel just like a real tooth and it will function like one as well.

If you have any other concerns, please contact our office. We will see you in a few weeks!

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