Post-Operative Instructions

Have you just had a dental procedure completed by us? If so, simply follow the postoperative instructions outlined below to make sure your recovery is quick and painless! Simply scroll down to the appropriate section to find tips and notes on what to expect and what to do after receiving a particular treatment. If you have any questions or are experiencing persistent pain, be sure to contact us as soon as you can.

Post-Op Instructions

Fillings

Once we've restored your teeth with tooth-colored materials, these restorations will serve you well for several years. The resin material used contains small “filler” particles of glass-like material for strength and wear resistance. They contain the finest and most up-to-date materials available today. However, you should be aware of the following information about your new restorations:

• As with natural teeth, avoid chewing excessively hard foods on the filled teeth (hard candy, ice, raw carrots, etc.) because the resin material can break under extreme forces.
• Composite fillings set up hard right away. There is no waiting time to eat. Children should be observed until the anesthetic wears off. Due to the strange feeling of the anesthetic, many children will chew the inside of their lips, cheeks, or tongue which can cause serious damage.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold is common for a few days, few weeks or few months for some patients following any size dental restoration. Usually though, the deeper the cavity, the more sensitive the tooth will be. If you feel the bite is not correctly balanced, please call for an appointment for a simple adjustment.
• The gum tissue could have been irritated during the procedure and may be sore for a few days together with the anesthetic injection site.
• The finished restoration may be contoured slightly different and have a different texture than the original tooth. Your tongue usually magnifies this small difference, but you will become accustomed to this in a few days.

When a tooth has a cavity the dentist removes the decay and fills the hole with filling material, the tooth supports the filling. When you get a cavity that takes up more than half of the tooth, sometimes a crown is indicated. A crown covers the entire tooth and holds the tooth together. Sometimes we place a filling thinking there is enough tooth to hold the filling when actually the tooth’s job is bigger than the filling can handle. The tooth may starts to break away because it can no longer support the filling. In this case sometimes a ver large filling for a tooth may result in the tooth ultimately needing a crown instead to best support the tooth and restoring your bite.

Post-Op Instructions

Scaling & Root Planing/Deep Cleaning

1. Immediately Following Treatment:
2. Avoid eating or drinking: Wait for the anesthesia to wear off completely, typically 2-3 hours, before consuming anything. This prevents accidental biting or burning of your lips, tongue, or cheeks.
3. Be mindful of hot and spicy foods: Avoid extremes in temperature and spiciness for several days, as your gums may be sensitive. Opt for soft, lukewarm foods.
4. Control bleeding: Minor bleeding is normal. Apply gentle pressure with a clean gauze pad for 10-15 minutes to control it. Do not spit excessively or rinse vigorously, as this can dislodge the clots and prolong bleeding.
5. 2. Oral Hygiene:
6. Resume brushing and flossing immediately: Continue your regular oral hygiene routine, but be gentle with the treated areas. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid harsh scrubbing.
7. Warm salt water rinses: Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water and rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day for the first few days. This helps reduce inflammation and promote healing.
8. Chlorhexidine rinse: If prescribed by your dentist, use a chlorhexidine gluconate rinse as directed. This helps control plaque bacteria and promote healing.
9. Pain Management:
10. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen for discomfort or swelling. Avoid aspirin.
11. Cold compresses: Apply cold compresses to the outside of your cheek for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day, to reduce swelling.
12. Additional Instructions:• Refrain from smoking and alcohol: Smoking of any kind and alcohol can delay healing and increase the risk of infection. Avoid them for at least 24-48 hours after the procedure.
13. Avoid strenuous activities: Avoid vigorous exercise for the first 24 hours, as it can increase blood pressure and cause bleeding.
14. Schedule follow-up appointments: Attend all follow-up appointments scheduled by your dentist to monitor your healing progress and discuss further treatment, if necessary.
15. Potential Side Effects:
16. Sensitivity: Your teeth and gums may be sensitive to hot, cold, and acidic foods for a few days. Use sensitivity toothpaste and avoid triggers.
17. Swelling and tenderness: Minor swelling and tenderness are normal and should subside within a few days. If they worsen or persist, contact your dentist.
18. Bleeding: Some bleeding may occur during brushing and flossing for the first few days. Be gentle and inform your dentist if it becomes excessive.
19. Contact your dentist immediately if you experience:
20. Severe pain that is not controlled by medication and/or that does not dissipate at all on it's own over the first week or two.
21. Fever
22. Prolonged bleeding
23. Difficulty swallowing or breathing
24. Pus around the treated area
25. Remember, these are general guidelines. Always follow your dentist's specific instructions for your individual case.

Post-Op Instructions

Dentures & Partials

Sore Spots: In most cases, your mouth will have a few “sore spots” after wearing the denture/partial within the first week. After the first week if your mouth has not adjusted and the pain still exists, adjustments are needed to the denture/partial. These areas can be relieved with very little effort during your next appointment.

• Chewing: Your new bite may not feel completely comfortable for several weeks. We can adjust the contacting surfaces of your teeth after the dentures/partials have settled into place.
• Hygiene for your Dentures/Partials and your mouth: Your denture/partials can be cleaned easily by using a denture brush and running water. To further cleanse and freshen, Efferdent tablets may be used in conjunction with your denture bath. *Note: Denture bath water must be replaced nightly to minimize bacteria growth and calcium deposits on the prosthetic.

Dentures only: Gently brush your gums with a regular toothbrush once per day to toughen and clean them. 

Partials only: Use special care to clean parts of the partial that contact any natural teeth. Both the partial and the natural teeth must be kept very clean on a daily basis to reduce the chance of new dental decay starting.

How Proper Placement and Removal Protect Your Partial Denture

A removable partial denture is a carefully engineered appliance made specifically for your mouth, not simply a temporary replacement for missing teeth. Most are built with a strong cobalt-chromium metal framework that is custom-shaped to fit comfortably and securely. The metal clasps are designed to gently grip your remaining natural teeth, keeping the denture stable while spreading biting forces evenly. Inserting and removing your partial denture the right way helps maintain its fit, prevents the clasps from becoming distorted, and protects the healthy teeth that support it.

Using the wrong technique can gradually affect both your partial denture and the teeth that support it. Repeatedly twisting, forcing, or pulling on the appliance can bend the metal clasps, reducing their ability to hold the denture securely and spread chewing pressure evenly. If the denture is inserted at the wrong angle or doesn’t fully settle into place, extra stress is placed on the supporting teeth, which may contribute to unnecessary wear and even bone loss over time. Many people think their partial denture no longer fits correctly when the real issue is how it’s being inserted or removed.

Learning the proper technique helps preserve the appliance, protects the supporting teeth, and keeps everything functioning as intended for the long term.

How to Put in a Partial Denture Safely

Before placing your partial denture, rinse it with cool water to remove any debris and keep it slightly wet. A damp denture slides into position more comfortably and is less likely to irritate your gums than one that’s completely dry.

During the first few weeks, stand in front of a well-lit mirror while inserting it. Being able to clearly see how the denture lines up with your natural teeth will make the process easier and help you develop the correct technique until it becomes second nature.

Take a moment to identify the correct position of your partial denture before placing it in your mouth. Since every appliance is custom-made, it will only fit properly in one orientation. The metal clasps should line up with the natural teeth they are designed to grip. Trying to force the denture into place from the wrong angle can bend the clasps, and this often happens when people rely on guesswork instead of carefully guiding it into position.

Once the denture is aligned, use your fingers to gently guide it into the area where the missing teeth are located. Apply slow, even pressure across the entire appliance rather than pressing on just one side. For an upper partial, press upward into place; for a lower partial, press downward until it is fully seated. Even pressure helps the denture settle correctly while reducing unnecessary strain on the framework and supporting teeth.

Avoid using your teeth to snap the partial denture into place. If it doesn’t fit comfortably with gentle finger pressure, don’t force it. The appliance may not be aligned correctly, your gums could still be adjusting, or a minor adjustment from your dentist may be needed. Trying to seat it by biting down can damage the acrylic base, bend the metal clasps, or affect how the denture fits in the future.

When the partial denture is positioned correctly, it should settle securely with light pressure from your fingers. You may notice a slight click as the clasps lock onto your natural teeth. Once fully seated, the denture should feel balanced, secure, and even across your mouth without rocking or lifting on either side.

How to Remove a Partial Denture Safely

Taking out a partial denture correctly is just as important as putting it in. In fact, many bent clasps and damaged frameworks occur during removal rather than insertion. Using the proper technique helps protect the denture, prevents unnecessary strain on the metal components, and reduces stress on the natural teeth that support it.

Before removing your partial denture, locate the metal clasps with your fingertips. These clasps are designed to release the appliance safely. Pulling or rocking the denture without first disengaging the clasps places unnecessary pressure on both the metal framework and the natural teeth that support it, making removal more difficult than it needs to be.

Using a fingertip or fingernail, gently lift the clasps away from the supporting teeth and remove the denture by following the same path it took when it was inserted. Apply even pressure on both sides instead of pulling from just one corner. Avoid twisting, bending, or yanking the appliance, as these movements can damage the clasps, affect the fit of the denture, and place extra strain on your remaining teeth.

After removing your partial denture, rinse it with cool water to wash away food particles and saliva. If you’re not putting it back in right away, keep it submerged in clean water or a denture-soaking solution recommended by your dentist. Allowing the appliance to dry out can make the acrylic base more prone to cracking or breaking. Keeping your partial denture moist helps preserve its strength, maintain its shape, and reduce the risk of damage if it is accidentally dropped.

We have done our best to provide you with well-fitted, functional and esthetic dentures/partials. We're confident that after a few weeks of becoming adjusted to your new dentures/partials, you will have years of satisfaction from them. In the absence of missing teeth, your jawbone and gums shrink. When this occurs, your dentures/partials will feel loose and may require relining. Wearing ill-fitting dentures/partials for too long without refitting may cause severe bone loss and very serious oral disease. Please call our office if you experience these symptoms. 

Post-Op Instructions

CandidPro Clear Aligners

Always wear the appliance for the required number of hours per day, as directed by your dentist.

Faithful wearing of the appliance will reduce the tendency of teeth shifting after treatment.