What you should do after
Periodontal (Gum) Surgery

For your comfort's Sake.

1. When the anesthesia wears off, you most likely will have discomfort from the operation that was just performed. In order to tide you over this period of discomfort, take the pain medication that was prescribed to you within one-half hour after you leave the office. If necessary, follow the instructions on the prescription that was given to you. Take the medication every three to four hours as needed. This discomfort will probably go away within 7 to 14 days.

2. A periodontal dressing has been placed around your teeth. It is comparable to the surgical dressing used in other types of operations. It is like a band-aid to protect the area. It serves a very useful purpose.

3. The periodontal dressing will become semi-rigid within a few hours. It can then withstand some of the forces of chewing without breaking. Pleas limit yourself to a semi-solid diet and avoid excessively hot food for the first day. After this period, you may return to your regular diet. However, avoid eating on the site with the dressing.

4. The dressing should be permitted to remain in place as long as possible. Small particles may chip off during the week. Should a sizable portion become loose or fall off, please call our office. While the dressing is in place, you may notice a slight pain or soreness in the cheek or inside of the mouth. The edge of the dressing may be irritating the tissue. You should not be concerned that anything has gone wrong in the area. Please call the office if the soreness persists. It can be easily remedied.

5. Rinsing is not an important part of the treatment. The only real purpose it serves is to give you a sense of better oral hygiene. Do not rinse on the first day. Beginning tomorrow, if your mouth does not feel clean, you may rinse every two hours with a solution of a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.

6. You may use a toothbrush as you usually do, but do not use it on the dressing. Avoid vigorous brushing in parts of the mouth, which have previously been operated upon and from which the dressing has been removed. Try to keep food from accumulating in these areas with gentle use of a toothbrush and the rubber tip.

7. You may follow your regular daily activities. Avoid excessive exertion of any type. Athletics and long exposure to the sun should be avoided for the first three days after the operation. Also… no swimming.

8. You may experience a slight feeling of weakness, chills or fever during the first 24 hours. This should not be cause for alarm.

9. There may be occasional blood in the salvia for the 24 hours after the operation. This is not unusual and will correct itself. If there is considerable bleeding, take a piece of sterile gauze, form it into the shape of a "U", hold it in the thumb and index finger, apply it to both sides of the dressing and hold it under gentle pressure for 10 minutes. Do not remove it during this period to examine it. If the bleeding does not stop at the end of this time, please contact the office. Under no conditions should rinsing be used to try to stop the bleeding.

10. If you are concerned about the progress of your recovery, please call the office at 310-827-5094.

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Care of the Mouth
After Tooth Removal
(Extraction)

1. Do not rinse your mouth today. Tomorrow rinse mouth gently every 2 to 4 hours using a glass of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt. Rinse for several days.

2. FOR BLEEDING- Following extractions some bleeding is to be expected. You may have bleeding for up to 24 hours after extractions. If persistent bleeding occurs, place gauze pads over the bleeding area and bite down firmly for 30 minutes. Repeat, if necessary. Discontinue rinses.

3. FOR SWELLING- Apply ice bag 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off, for the first 24 hours. Swelling can continue for up to 7 days.

4. PAIN-Use the pain medication that you were prescribed and follow instructions on label.

5. FOOD-Light diet is advisable for the first 24 hours.

6. BONY EDGES-Small sharp bone fragments may work up through the gums during healing. These are not roots: if annoying return to this office for their simple removal. They will be removed at your post-operative check.

7. If any unusual symptoms occur, call the office at once.

8. For prolonged bleeding, unusual pain or swelling, or any concerns, please call us immediately at 310-827-5094.

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Whitening (bleaching)

Lustradent Smile Whitening

NiteWhite – Opalescence – Rembrandt
Instructions for At-Home Use

Congratulations - you are beginning the treatment process that will most definitely improve your appearance. The amount of whitening that you obtain during the tooth whitening process is dependent on three factors:

a) the length of time the appliance is worn
b) the number of times the appliance is worn
c) the susceptibility of your teeth and it's internal contaminants to the whitening agent.

PROCEDURE

1. Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth prior to applying the whitening gel

2. Load the appliance, as demonstrated, by gently depressing the syringe cap - expressing the material only on the front 8-10 teeth - the surfaces that face toward the lip.

3. Place the appliance completely and firmly onto the teeth, but gently. Excessive pressure will express too much material out of the appliance.

4. Gently wipe off excess gel with a toothbrush or Q-tip.

5. Expectorate any excess material.

6. Wear for a minimum of 2-4 hours/day. This can be accomplished during 'sleep time' or during waking hours. The thin tray is very comfortable and can be worn easily while accomplishing other tasks.

7. When the appliance is removed brush teeth and gums thoroughly. The 'tray' should be rinsed thoroughly and placed in the appliance case - ready for the next application.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Occasionally patients will experience sensitivity to cold with some minor gum irritation during treatment. This difficulty normally resolves on its own in 1-3 days after interruption or completion of the whitening treatment. We also have the option of supplying a fluoride gel that can be placed in the appliance in place of the whitening agent. Alternating the fluoride therapy with the whitening therapy is of great assistance, should sensitivity persist. Simply waiting a day or two after sensitivity occurs before restarting the whitening process is another method to alleviate symptoms.

PRECAUTIONS:

Please keep the whitening carriers out of heat and/or direct sunlight at all times. The whitening agent will break down and become ineffective, should this occur. It is best to store the material in a refrigerator. Please remember, never attempt to use any household or commercial bleaching agents in your mouth. Only use the teeth whitening agents that we prescribe for you; those that have been tested and approved for intraoral use. Over-the-counter whitening agents normally have a very high acid content - which can dissolve your teeth, permanently ruining your smile.

PLEASE NOTE:

Normal tooth whitening starts at the biting edges of the teeth and works its way up. Normal color of teeth is darker toward the gum line.

We have never had one patient experience any irreversible effects to the teeth from the whitening process!

Contact our office with any questions or problems.
Store Whitening Gel in the refrigerator to maintain shelf life.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN -- KEEP OUT OF HEAT & SUNLIGHT

Lustradent Smile Whitening
Important Instructions for At-Home Use

Congratulations - you are beginning the treatment process that will most definitely improve your appearance. The amount of whitening you obtain during the tooth whitening process is dependent on three factors:

a) the length of time the appliance is worn
b) the number of times the appliance is worn
c) the susceptibility of your teeth and its internal contaminants to the whitening agent.

PROCEDURE

1. Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth prior to applying the whitening gel.

2. See attached detailed diagrammed instruction sheet

3. Wear for only 20 - 30 minutes per application when using the 30% Lustradent Whitening material. 2 treatments per day is ideal! All other materials require a minimum of 2-4 hours/day.

4. When the appliance is removed, brush teeth and gums thoroughly. The 'tray' should be rinsed thoroughly and placed in the appliance case - ready for the next application.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Occasionally patients will experience sensitivity to cold with some minor gum irritation during treatment. This difficulty normally resolves on its own 1-3 days after interruption or completion of the whitening treatment. We also have the option of supplying a fluoride gel that can be placed in the appliance in place of the whitening agent. Alternating the fluoride therapy with the whitening therapy is of great assistance, should sensitivity persist. Simply waiting a day or two after sensitivity occurs before restarting the whitening process is another method to alleviate symptoms.

PRECAUTIONS:

Please keep the whitening carriers away from heat and/or direct sunlight at all times. The whitening agent will break down and become ineffective, should this occur. It is best to store the material in a refrigerator. Please remember, never attempt to use any household or commercial bleaching agents in your mouth. Only use the teeth whitening agents we prescribe; those that have been tested and approved for intraoral use. Over-the-counter whitening agents normally have a very high acid content - which can dissolve your teeth, permanently ruining your smile.

PLEASE NOTE:

Normal tooth whitening starts at the biting edges of the teeth and works its way up. Normal color of teeth is darker toward the gum line.

We have never had one patient experience any irreversible effects to the teeth from the whitening process!

Contact our office with any questions or problems.
Store Whitening Gel in the refrigerator to maintain shelf life.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN ---- KEEP OUT OF HEAT & SUNLIGHT

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Important Instructions to Note
Crowns/Bridges

Here are a few simple rules to promote healing and make yourself more comfortable; as your final restoration is being custom fabricated for you by our laboratory.

DISCOMFORT:

After the tooth/teeth have been reshaped, you may experience some minor sensitivity. Aspirin or Ibuprofen usually works very well. Your gums may be irritated! We highly recommend rinsing with warm salt water or a half/half mix of hydrogen peroxide and water; three times per day. This is an excellent method for soothing sore gums. We may recommend gentle digital message, as well!

The jaw joints may be sensitive, as well. This can easily be soothed with the application of warm compresses on the jaw joint. We suggest a heating pad that is designed to be moistened. Place the moist heat on the jaw joint areas - open and close the mouth slightly during this application. The heat should be applied at 10 - 15 minute intervals with 15 minutes of rest between placement.

MEDICATION:

We may prescribe medication to control discomfort. Please use only as directed. If this medication does not seem to work for you, do not increase the dosage; or mix with other pain medications. Call us! Medications work differently on each individual. It is common to change medications; and a new formulation may work very well. If the discomfort is prolonged; there is swelling, excessive bleeding or fever - again call us.

DISLODGMENT OF THE INTERIM CROWN or BRIDGE:

If loosens does occur, do not be alarmed. Call our office and we will arrange a time so things may be placed in their proper positions. Even if there is no discomfort involved, it is very important that we re-cement this restoration; so that the teeth don't drift - making placement of your final restoration very difficult. Please do not attempt to place restoration back into place with anything other than vaseline. Superglue, for example, is not healthy in the oral environment.

CLEANING:

Proper care of your temporary restoration is a must! Brush with a gentle motion on the sides of the tooth - flexing the soft bristles at the gum line of the interim restoration. We also would like you to use dental floss. However, place the floss gently between the teeth, clean the gum areas as usual, then release your inside finger and pull the floss through space, toward the cheek.

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Root Canals
Post Operative Instructions:

Your Root Canal treatment may take one or more visits to complete. During treatment, we will remove the diseased pulp (nerve), then clean, shape and fill the space where the pulp was (the nerve canal of the tooth; which is in the root). The filling material is specially designed for this purpose, to help prevent recontamination of the nerve chamber.

What to Expect During Treatment

•• Because cleaning the root canals may cause inflammation of the tissue surrounding the tooth, you may experience some discomfort for a up to 7 days.

•• Some initial minor swelling may also occur. It is advisable to place an ice bag on the outside of the face that corresponds to the site of the tooth. Alternate 15 minutes on and 10 minutes off for at least two to three hours. If the swelling should linger more than a few days, or increases, call us!

•• Over-the-counter pain relievers usually assist with the discomfort. We will advise you as to which medicine to take. At times, a prescription pain medication will be suggested. If the discomfort continues for more than a few days, or if severe pain occurs, call us!

•• Sometimes antibiotics will be prescribed to help control infection. It is very important that you take the medication as directed!

How To Take care of your mouth

•• Between appointments, a temporary filling will be placed over the entry to the nerve space. Because temporary restorations may loosen, call us if there is significant loss of this filling.

•• Avoid chewing or biting with excessive force directly on the treated tooth, until we complete the root canal.

•• Do not ignore brushing and flossing this tooth; as comfort allows.

Please Note:

Retreatment may occasionally be necessary. Even though the pulp of the tooth was removed, the tooth is still nourished from surrounding tissues. As with any living tissue, treatment is occasionally unsuccessful and retreatment or even tooth removal may be indicated.