Bite Adjustment

Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your bite with your new teeth. 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 problems with your bite, call our office so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.

After Crown and Bridge Appointments

Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and impressions of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom permanent restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized during appointments, 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.

After Tooth Extraction

On a rare occasion, it may be determined that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease or may have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

The Extraction Process

At the time of extraction, the doctor will need to numb your tooth, jawbone and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic. During the extraction process, you will feel a lot of pressure. This pressure is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal. You feel the pressure without pain as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain; yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected. If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction, please let us know right away. Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure done when a tooth is firmly anchored in its socket, or the root is curved and the socket can't expand enough to remove it. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections and then removes each section, one at a time.

• Bleeding--Some bleeding may occur. Placing a piece of moist gauze over the empty tooth socket and biting down firmly for 45 minutes can control this.
• Blood clots that form in the empty socketthe formation of a clot is an important part of the healing process, and you must be careful not to dislodge the clot.
• Avoid the following actions:
  • Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after the extraction!
  • Avoid use of a straw, smoking or hot liquids!
• Swelling--If swelling occurs, you can place ice on your face for 10 minutes and off for 20 minutes. Repeat this cycle as you feel necessary for up to 24 hours.
• Pain and Medications--If you experience pain, you might use non-prescription pain relief medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Eating and Drinking-- Make sure you do your chewing away from the extraction site. A liquid diet may be recommended for 24 hours. Stay away from hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for 24 hours.?
• Brushing and Cleaning--After the extraction, avoid brushing the teeth near the extraction site for one day. After that, you can resume gentle cleaning. Avoid commercial mouth rinses as they tend to irritate the site. Beginning 24 hours after the extraction, you can rinse with salt water (1/2 teaspoon in a cup of water) after meals and before bed.
• Dry SocketA dry socket is when a blood clot fails to form in the socket where the tooth has been extracted, or the clot has been dislodged, and the healing is significantly delayed.
• Following the post extraction instructions will reduce the chances of developing dry socket. Dry sockets manifest themselves as a dull throbbing pain, which doesn't appear until three to four days after the extraction. The pain can be moderate to severe and radiate from the extraction area. Dry socket may cause a bad taste or bad breath, and the extraction site appears dry.
• Please call our office for an appointment if you experience a dry socket. Your doctor will apply a medicated dressing to the dry socket to soothe the pain.
• Healing-- After a tooth has been extracted, there will be a resulting hole in your jawbone where the tooth was. In time, this will smooth and fill in with bone. This process can take many weeks or months. However, after 1- 2 weeks you should no longer notice any inconvenience.

After Composite Fillings (white fillings)

On a rare occasion, it may be determined that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease or may have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.