Post-Operative Care

Aftercare Following Root Canal Therapy

What to expect

It is not uncommon for a tooth to be uncomfortable or even experience a dull ache Immediately after receiving root canal therapy. This should subside within one week.
Your tooth will be sensitive to biting pressure and may even appear to feel loose. This feeling is a result of the sensitivity of nerve endings in the tissue just outside the end of the root where we cleaned, irrigated, and placed filler and sealer material.
You may feel a depression or rough area (on the top of a back tooth, or the back of a front tooth). There is a soft, temporary material in that area, this may wear away to some degree before your next visit.

What to do

We recommend you take something for pain relief within one hour of leaving the office To get the medication into your bloodstream before the anesthesia begins to wear off. Usually, only one dose is needed. We recommend Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), 600 mg (three tablets). If you have a medical condition, allergy, or gastrointestinal disorder which does not allow you to take this type of medication, Tylenol may be used as a substitute. Please be aware that Tylenol does not contain anti-inflammatory properties so it might not work as well. Aspirin and Aspirin containing products are not advisable, as they tend to increase bleeding from the area that was treated.
Please try to chew on the opposite side from the tooth which has just been treated, as much as possible. In approximately 2-3 weeks impressions will be taken for a crown on that tooth. Until that time, your tooth is weak and could fracture.
Please avoid chewing gum, caramels, or other soft sticky candy which could dislodge the temporary material or fracture the tooth.

Please call us if...

You are experiencing symptoms more intense or of longer duration than those described above.
You encounter a significant amount of swelling.
The temporary material is dislodged, feels loose, or feel "high" when biting.
Your tooth fractures or breaks off.
You have any questions at all.

Aftercare Following an Extraction
It is important to take care of your surgery site. Please follow these directions:

Bite on gauze for 30 minutes to stop any bleeding. If bleeding continues, place another gauze and continue to apply pressure.
For at least 24 hours do not:

- Smoke
- Drink through a straw
- Drink alcohol, carbonated beverages, or hot liquids
- Blow your nose
- Spit excessively

Any of these things may cause the blood clot over the surgery site to dislodge from the "socket." This will create a "dry socket" resulting in unnecessary pain. Should this happen, call the office as soon as possible.
Do maintain a soft diet for the remainder of the day- things such as warm soup, pasta, ice cream, milk shakes (remember no straws), etc.
If your pain, discomfort, or bleeding continues or worsens please call the office.
If you were given medications, please take them according to the instructions. If you prefer, you may take tylenol or motrin, please do not take aspirin, as this will increase the bleeding.
Tomorrow morning, start rinsing gently with warm salt water, using 1/4 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of water every 3-4 hours for two days.
Bony Edges - sometimes small sharp bone fragments may work up through the gums during healing. These are not roots. If they become annoying, you may call the office to have them removed.

Post-Op Instructions For Invisalign

Use your fingers to put your aligners place. First place the aligners over your front teeth, and then use your fingers to push the aligner down gently over your molars. When aligners are correctly inserted, they will fit all the way down on the teeth, with no space between the top of the aligners and the top of the teeth. Aligners will fit tightly at first but should fit well at the end of the two week period.
Keep aligners in except when flossing, brushing, eating. It’s also best to remove the aligners when drinking warm beverages such as coffee or tea.
Remove the aligner by pulling it off both sides of your back teeth simultaneously then lifting it off of your front teeth. Place your aligners in the case we provided any time they are not being worn.
Clean aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Wear each set of aligners for two weeks unless our office directs you to vary from this schedule.
Wear aligners in the correct numerical order. (Each aligner is labeled by number and with a U or an L to designate upper or lower.)
Keep all of your old aligners and bring them to your orthodontic appointments.

Don't

Don’t place your aligners in or on a napkin or tissue. Many aligners have accidentally been thrown out this way!
Don’t use your teeth to “bite” your aligners into place.
If you have pets, don’t place your aligners anywhere that your pets can reach them. Pets are attracted to saliva and would enjoy chewing on your Invisalign trays!
Do not use Denture cleaner, alcohol, or bleach to clean your aligners.
Do not use boiling water or warm water on your aligners.
Don’t chew gum with your aligners in.
It would be best not to smoke while wearing aligners. The smoke can stain the aligners as well as your teeth.

Just in Case

If you lose the tab attached to your tooth that helps the aligner snap on, please call our office right away so that we can determine if you need to come in before your next scheduled appointment.
If you lose one of your aligner trays, please wear the next tray if you have it. If you do not have the next tray, please wear the previous tray. It is extremely important to use a tray to keep teeth from shifting. Call our office to let us know which tray was lost so that we can determine if a replacement tray is needed. There will be a fee if replacement trays are required.

Patient testimonials – update the stationary ones and replace with:

“Fantastic practice. Have been coming here for a while now since moving to Bucks County around end of 2018. All the people who work here (both office & providers) are really nice, knowledgeable, and accommodating. As a patient, that really puts you at ease knowing that you are in great hands. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an awesome dentist/dental team.”
Jack
“My regular dentist was unavailable, and I had a suspected abscessed tooth. I was seen within the hour and greeted by such kind and friendly staff who walked me thru the process. The doctor was very professional and thorough. The office is bright and soothing for a nervous patient! I was in very good hands! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!”
Joan