Post Op Instructions for

Composite/Crown Restorations

Here are some important things you need to know about your newly placed restoration.  If any of your questions cannot be answered from these instructions, please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to answer your questions. (760) 371-4800

• You may be sore from the anesthetic that Dr. Danielsson administered. This can last for a few days. To help with soreness, you may place a warm compress, such as a warm washcloth on the jaw muscle.  Also, massage the area and begin opening and closing exercises to work out the muscle.
• When you leave our office, you may still be experiencing the effects of the anesthetic.  It is very important to avoid doing any aggressive chewing, such as tough meats and sandwiches. You should also avoid hot liquids.  When your mouth is numb, it is possible that when you try to eat or talk you could bite your cheek or tongue and not even know until the effects have worn off.  This can result in a painful sore in your mouth.
• Sometimes when performing treatment, a band may be used on the tooth, or tissue may have been pushed on, this can result in minor soreness. We recommend warm salt-water rinses to help with the healing process. Rinses should be done 3 times a day for the next 48 hours. (1 tsp salt to an 8 oz glass of water). Try to make the water as warm as you can stand it. 
• Cold sensitivity is a common symptom some patients may experience after treatment. If you are slightly sensitive to cold and symptoms subside right away, this is normal. Abnormal symptoms consist of ANY kind of hot sensitivity, long lasting cold sensitivity (anything lasting longer than 3-5 seconds once the stimulus is removed) or any kind of aching /throbbing pain.  If any of these symptoms occur, please contact us as soon as possible so we are able to diagnose the problem.
• At the end of your appointment, we check your bite to be sure that your teeth are touching normally.  Sometimes this may be difficult, especially if you are numb. If you notice your bite is not normal after the anesthetic wears off, be sure to let us know right away.  We will need to make further adjustments, which only takes a few minutes.  This problem, if not resolved right away, can cause problems in other areas of your mouth, such as shifting your bite. The most common reason why patients do not make us aware of this is because they believe that they just need to get used to their new restoration. This is not the case!  Please let us know if adjustments are necessary. 

We appreciate you entrusting your oral health to us and look forward to seeing you at your next visit!