Root Canal Therapy
Expect soreness after a root canal procedure for a few days. Refrain from chewing on the side of the mouth where the procedure was performed to avoid irritation, ensuring that the temporary restorative material properly sets. An antibiotic will be required to treat any remaining infection in your tooth. If you notice an increasing amount of pain or tenderness, a reaction to the medication, or the loss of the temporary restoration (filling), call your dentist immediately.

Crowns and Bridges
Before you receive your permanent crown/bridge, you will first receive a temporary restoration. This is not as sturdy as the permanent version, so you should be careful when cleaning and eating. You should brush the area gently and should not pull up on the tooth when flossing because it could become dislodged. The same goes for eating. Avoid sticky or chewy foods while you have the temporary in.

There may be some sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent is placed. This is normal and will subside after the soft tissue heals. A warm salt water rinse will help, and you can also take Advil or Tylenol, if the pain does not go away.

When the permanent crown or bridge is placed it may feel a little awkward for a few days. Your mouth needs to adjust to the new tooth, and it should feel like one of your natural tooth in less than a week. If your bite feels abnormal in any way, you should let your dentist know. Caring for your bridge or crown is just like caring for your own teeth. You should brush and floss regularly.

White Fillings (Bonding)
After the anesthesia wears off, your teeth will likely be sensitive. You should avoid hot and cold food or drink for the next few days. After that initial period, your treated teeth will feel as good as new. Continue your normal hygiene plan to ensure that your fillings last for a long time.

Scaling and Root Planing
After this procedure, your gums will probably be slightly sore and irritated for a few days. You should rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 tsp salt/8 oz water) two (2) to three (3) times a day. This will relieve the pain and cleanse the area. Brushing and flossing should be continued right after the procedure, but you should brush gently, so that you do not further irritate the area. If you experience any swelling or stiffness in the area, you can place a cold compress on the area and take some pain relieving medicine. Avoid any hard or chewy foods for two (2) to three (3) days after the surgery to ensure the area heals correctly. If you continue to experience pain or swelling after a few days, contact your dentist.

Veneers
Before you receive your permanent veneer you will first receive a temporary restoration. This is not as sturdy as the permanent version, so you should be careful when cleaning and eating. You should brush the area gently. Do not pull up on the tooth when flossing because it could become dislodged. The same goes for eating. You should avoid sticky or chewy foods while you have the temporary in.

There may be some sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent is placed. This is normal and will subside after the soft tissue heals. A warm salt water rinse will help, and you can also take Advil or Tylenol, if the pain does not go away.

When the veneer is placed it may feel a little awkward for a few days. Your mouth needs to adjust to the new tooth, and it should feel like one of your natural teeth in less than a week. If your bite feels abnormal in any way, you should let your dentist know. When brushing and flossing, you should pay close attention to the area between the veneer and the tooth at the gum line.

Extractions
After the surgery you will need to rest. You need to be driven home by a friend or family member because of the anesthesia. You can expect for the extraction site to bleed for a little while after the surgery. Gauze will be applied at the completion of the surgery, and you will need to change it when it becomes soaked. If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours, you should call your dentist. Rest when you return home. Do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. Prop your head up on a pillow when lying down. Your dentist will prescribe pain medication, so if there is soreness, take as directed. You can also use an ice pack for the pain. Your dentist might also provide you with a cleaning solution to clean the extraction site.

You will be limited to soft foods for a few days after your surgery. Some recommended foods are:

• Gelatin
• Pudding
• Yogurt
• Mashed Potatoes
• Ice Cream
• Thin Soups
• …and other food you can eat without chewing.

When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw. The sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process. The same goes for smoking. If you have prolonged pain, bleeding, irritation, or don’t feel that the extraction site is healing properly call your dentist for a follow up.

Multiple Extractions
Extracting multiple teeth requires that the jawbone be shaped and removed to prepare for a denture. You may experience the following after a multiple tooth extraction procedure:

• Within two days, you will experience the maximum swelling both inside the mouth and possibly around the eye as well.
• The area around your eye may also become discolored, which may be alleviated by a warm compress.
• The muscles near the extraction site may become sore after surgery, causing a sore throat. This is normal.
• The corners of your mouth may become dry and cracked from being stretched open during surgery.

In most cases, you will have a follow up appointment with your dentist within 48 hours after surgery to discuss any post surgery symptoms that you are experiencing.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction
This surgical procedure requires some post-operative care to reduce the chance of infection or other complications. Immediately after surgery, a gauze pad will be placed over the extraction site, which should not be removed for at least 45 minutes, and then discarded after that. Refrain from drinking from a straw or rinsing the mouth to ensure that you do not dislodge the blood clot that has formed. Limit your activities for that day. You can resume your regular activities the following day.  After the anesthetic wears off, take the pain medication as prescribed to reduce the amount of discomfort you feel. As with any oral surgery, refrain from drinking through a straw as doing so creates suction and may disrupt the sutures.

After Impacted Tooth
A tooth becomes impacted when there is not enough room to accommodate the space in the dental arch, and growth becomes impossible. After surgery to remove an impacted tooth, mild discomfort and some swelling is part of the process and expected. You may use cold compresses to alleviate the swelling. In addition, your doctor will prescribe pain medication, which should be taken as directed. Patients are also advised to favor the extraction area and modify their diet for a few days to allow for healing.