Post Operation Instructions

Your New Braces

Congratulations on having your braces fitted! At the end of the treatment, you will have a wonderful smile! Until then, let’s take care of your orthodontic appliances.

•  Diet – what to avoid
  1. 1. Hard foods – candy, popcorn kernels, ice, pretzels
     2. Sticky foods – chewing gum, caramel, lollies
     3. Meat should not be chewed off the bone – it should be cut off
     4. Soft drinks – high acid/sugar content of soft drinks
• Oral hygiene – careful brushing is very important: brush for at least three minutes. Rinse thoroughly after each meal. Make sure there is no plaque or food debris left on your teeth and braces. Not brushing thoroughly will result in white spots and cavities forming.
• Sensitive teeth – as the teeth move there will be some discomfort and sensitivity. If the discomfort becomes severe, you can take pain medication like Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. Your teeth also may feel wobbly, do not worry, this is quite normal.
• Mouth ulcers – if any sharp bits dig into your lips or cheeks, use the wax provided. Dry the area and break off a small piece of wax and place it around the spot.
• Fluoride/toothpaste – we recommend a fluoride mouthwash or tooth mousse to be used during your orthodontic treatment to prevent tooth decay.
• Appointments – broken appointments will increase the treatment time.

To successfully complete your treatment, you will need to work in partnership with us. Your teeth will only move toward the ideal position if you consistently wear the rubber bands (elastics), headgear or other appliances as prescribed.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differ from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us.

Crown & Bridges – After Preparation of Your Tooth/Teeth

Today we prepared your tooth/teeth by “shaving down” the space necessary for the crown/bridge.

We created a temporary crown/bridge for you to wear until the final one is cemented at your next appointment.

• If we used a local anesthetic, it can take between an hour to several hours to wear off. While your mouth is numb, be very careful not to accidentally bite or burn your cheeks, lips or tongue.
• It is very important that your temporary crown/bridge stays on. It protects your teeth and helps to maintain their position. If it dislodges please call or email us promptly to arrange an appointment for it to be put on again.
• Avoid chewing or biting directly on the treated teeth. The temporary crown/bridge is weak and can easily break. Avoid sticky and hard foods.
• You can experience temperature sensitivity; this is not unusual but can last until the final crown/bridge is cemented. The bite on the temporary should feel normal; if it feels high please contact us and we will adjust this.
• You can take pain relief for any sort of pain or discomfort, Paracetamol and Ibuprofen usually works well.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differ from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us.

Crown & Bridge After Cementing Your Dental Prosthesis

Today we cemented your new crown/bridge. You may experience sensitivity after your restoration is placed.

• If we used a local anesthetic, it can take between an hour to several hours to wear off. While your mouth is numb, be very careful not to accidentally bite or burn your cheeks, lips, or tongue.
• It is normal to experience some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. This sensitivity may linger for several weeks. Usually, these symptoms will subside over time but if they don’t seem to be getting better, please let u know.
• It is not unusual for your bite to be off-balance after a restoration is put in. After the numbness is gone if you feel the tooth is sitting a bit high, please give us a call and we will arrange a time to adjust that for you.
• To keep your crown/bridge in perfect condition, brush, and floss daily. Continued care and routine check-ups will ensure years of dental quality.
• Using interdental brushes or X-Floss every day is important to properly clean a bridge.
• Whatever is left under the crown/bridge can also affect how sensitive it is. If the tooth had cracks, large fillings, or decay, the nerve will be tender. The closer these problems were to the nerve, the more sensitive your tooth will be. Usually, the nerve will settle but sometimes it can start to die, in this case, you will need a root canal or an extraction.
• Any root structure still visible after the restoration is placed could cause sensitivity. This may happen if your gurns recede after the procedure, or if the tooth already had reseeding gums.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differs from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us.

After Your Deep Filling

Today we removed any old fillings and decay from your tooth/teeth. The bacterial decay was very deep and close to the nerve, there is a risk that the nerve may die because of this. If the nerve does not survive, it will mean that Root Canal Treatment or an Extraction will be needed. Also, due to the depth of the filling, the chances of your tooth surviving pain-free in the long term are moderate to low. Even so, we are willing to take the chance of keeping your tooth alive for as long as possible.

• If we used a local anesthetic, it will take between an hour to several hours to wear off. While your mouth is numb, be very careful not to bite or burn your cheeks, lips or tongue.
• New fillings can feel a little unnatural at first. That is because your mouth is highly sensitive to changes in shape, size or texture. Not to worry you will soon get used to your new filling and won’t notice it an
• After the numbness wears off, you might find you bite the affected tooth more heavily than before, if so, you might need a bite adjustment. This is where we re-shape the filling for a better fit. This issue is very common and happens because it is harder to bite your teeth together naturally when your mouth is numb. Just give us a call and we will book you in for an adjustment.
• It is normal to have some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. This sensitivity can linger for several weeks. These symptoms will usually go away over time but please let us know if they don’t. The pain may be from your tooth’s nerve dying, and a root canal or extraction may be needed. You can take pain relief for any tenderness or discomfort. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen usually works well.
• After a deep cavity is restored with a filling, the nerve may only survive pain-free for weeks, but it may also survive for years. Our philosophy is to avoid root canal treatment or extraction unless it’s necessary. Because of this, we find it worthwhile to let the tooth ‘tell’ us if it needs further treatment. This approach may save you unnecessary dentistry and expense.
• It is up to you to look after your filling. To prevent further decay, it is vital that you care for your teeth by brushing and flossing well.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differ from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us

Dentures & Plates – Your New Teeth

Congratulations on having your new teeth fitted! Taking care of a Plate/Denture is very different from taking care of natural teeth.

• Your new denture/plate will require some getting used to. It will never feel like natural teeth. Some people are able to adapt to their new teeth and others may never be able to get used to it.
• Dentures/plates will need to be removed before sleep every night and placed into a glass of denture cleaning solution. Not doing this can result in fungal growth in the mouth.
• A denture brush or very soft tooth brush can be used to lightly clean the surface of your prosthesis. Do not use abrasive cleaning products on your prosthesis, including toothpaste.
• Mouth ulcers and gum irritation is very common with new dentures and can require multiple visits to adjust it to an acceptable state.
• Maintaining your remaining teeth is crucial to ensure your denture/plate will still fit and bite properly.
• Hard and Sticky foods can dislodge your denture/plate. It is also best to cut your food into smaller pieces while eating. Denture glue can be used to help hold the prosthesis.
• Your bone will continue to remodel and change with time. This can result in a well-fitting denture becoming loose and uncomfortable. A reline may be needed to help improve this.
• Implants can dramatically increase the comfort of your denture/plate.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differ from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us.

After Your Tooth Extraction

Today we removed your damaged or decaying tooth/teeth. Following these instructions closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected

• The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the practice. Be careful not to bite, chew, pinch scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.
• Keep slight pressure on the gauze for at least 30 minutes. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You may bite on gauze or a dry tea bag for another 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding. A small amount of blood in the saliva is normal and may be noticed for the rest of the day after the procedure. If the bleeding is excessive, please return to our clinic or go to your local emergency department.
• Do not rinse or spit on the day of the extraction. For several days after the extraction, rinse your mouth out after every meal and before sleeping with a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of salt in it. Hold the solution in your mouth for a few minutes, repeat 2-3 times.
• For the next few days, it is very important to allow your body to form a clot and start the natural healing process. Swishing, sucking through a straw, and smoking can dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy food, toothpicks, and eating utensils).
• Don’t drink alcohol or smoke for at least three days following the extraction. The longer you avoid alcohol and smoking the better the healing process will be. Not smoking for a few days will also decrease the chance of you developing a painful Dry Socket, if the pain does occur please come bath in and see us.
• Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, take two non-aspirin pain relievers every 3-4 hours until bedtime to maintain comfort. Take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed. Don’t exceed the dose on the label. Do not drink alcohol while taking pain prescription medications.
• If the discomfort is not getting better after 5 days, please contact us.
• If sutures were put in, you may be required to come bathe after two weeks or so to have them removed.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differs from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us

After Your Filling

Today a filling was done for your tooth/teeth. The more work your tooth required or the deeper the cavity, the more sensitivity you are likely to experience.

• Every patient is different, but sensitivity to cold temperatures usually subsides within a couple of weeks after a small to moderate-sized filling. If temperature sensitivity goes on for longer than that it may be normal for you. However, it should slowly show signs of improvement.
• If your tooth needed more extensive work today, you will probably have sensitivity afterward and the health of your tooth may need to be monitored over time. Please call us if you ever feel anything unusual or if your symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks.
  1. Biting sensitivity may be related to contact between your teeth, for instance, the filling may be a bit too high. This may not seem like a big issue at first, but the tooth will become sore and very sensitive to chewing after a few days. If this happens give us a call and we can adjust any high spots.
  2. In rare cases, temperature and bite sensitivity never go away. This could mean that the nerve is irritated and the tooth may require root canal treatment or an extraction

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differs from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us. The Amber Dental Team

After Your Implant Placement

Today we placed an implant or implants anchored into bone. Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote an uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.

• If we used a local anaesthetic, it can take between an hour to several hours to wear off. While your mouth is numb, be very careful not to accidentally bite or burn your cheeks, lips or tongue. Sometimes the implant procedure causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.
• Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the implant will be substantially reduced by the chemicals in any form of smoking.
• Rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day.
• Do not rinse or spit on the day of the procedure. For several days after the procedure rinse your mouth out after every meal and before sleeping with the mouthwash pre-scribed. Hold the solution in your mouth for a few minutes, repeat 2-3 times.
• Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery for 3 days.
• Eat soft foods for the first three days. Maintain a good, balanced diet. Drink plenty of water.
• You can take pain relief for any sort of pain or discomfort. Paracetamol usually works well.
• You will need to return to the practice to have sutures removed, or just for a brief follow-up healing check.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differs from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us.

Your New Implant Crown/Bridge

Today we placed your new implant prosthesis onto your implant(s). Read these instructions carefully to avoid any surprises.

• If we used a local anesthetic, it can take between an hour to several hours to wear off. While your mouth is numb, be very careful not to accidentally bite or burn your cheeks, lips, or tongue.
• Your new tooth/teeth can feel a little unnatural at first. It usually takes about a week for your mouth to adapt to the new prosthesis.
• Any tenderness or sensitivity should go away in the next few days.
• Brush and floss well around the prosthesis to avoid gum disease. Gum disease is the most common way implants fail in the long term.
• The implant prosthesis can loosen if it is too high. Natural teeth can compress when biting, unlike implants. This means that with use it can become loose over time. Come back in for a quick tighten and adjustment, and it will be good as new.
• To keep your implants in tip-top shape, 6 monthly Scale & Polish appointments are recommended. This will change depending on your oral home care.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differs from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us.

After Your Large Filling

Today we removed any old fillings and decay from your tooth/teeth. In this case, a lot of tooth structure has been removed or the filling was done on a front tooth. We then placed, set, shaped, and polished the filling material.

• If we used a local anesthetic, it can take between an hour to several hours to wear off. While your mouth is numb, be very careful not to accidentally bite or burn your cheeks, lips, or tongue.
• Anytime you have a filling there is less of the natural tooth left. The tooth becomes weaker because the filling material is not as strong as a natural tooth. Also, there’s less tooth structure for the filling to stick to. This significantly reduces the lifespan of the filling. If the filling becomes too large, a crown is recommended because it is much stronger.
• New fillings can feel a little unnatural at first. That is because your mouth is highly sensitive to changes in shape, size, or texture. Not to worry — you’ll soon get used to your new filling and won’t notice it anymore.
• After the numbness wears off, you might find you bite the treated tooth more heavily than before. If so you might need a bite adjustment where we re-shape the filling for a better fit. This issue is very common and happens because it is harder to bite your teeth together naturally when your mouth is numb. Just give us a call and we’ll book you in for an adjustment.
• It is normal to have some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. The sensitivity can linger for several weeks. These symptoms will usually go away with time but please let us know if they don’t.
• It is up to you to look after your filling. To prevent further decay; it is vital that you care for your teeth by brushing and flossing well.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differs from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us.

After Root Canal Cleaning – Stage I

Today we cleaned out your tooth’s infected nerve and filled it with antibacterial medicine.

• If we used a local anesthetic, it can take between an hour to several hours to wear off. While your mouth is numb, be very careful not to accidentally bite or burn your cheeks, lips or tongue.
• Root canal therapy often takes two or three appointments to complete. At your final appointment, we’ll clean out the medicine and fill in the root to prevent re-infection.
• It is normal to feel some tenderness for a few days after your treatment as part of your body’s natural healing process. You can take pain relief for any discomfort. Paracetamol and ibuprofen usually work well.
• It is best to avoid eating hard foods because a filling has been placed in your affected tooth. This filling is a lot weaker than a normal filling, so needs to be treated carefully. If the temporary filling comes out, simply give us a call or email us and we will book you in and get it fixed.
• You could experience soreness, even significant soreness, for a week or two after a root carol. If the pain is not getting better after one week, it’s a good idea to come back in for an examination.
  1. Sometimes in the course of cleaning out the inside of the root, bacteria work, their way out of the tooth root and into the bone and gum.
  2. Sometimes the cleaning instrument itself can be inserted past the tip of the root, irritating the surrounding tissue.
  3. The problem may be as simple as a temporary filling that is too ‘high’, putting too much pressure on the tooth when you chew.
  4. It can also be a sign that there’s a problem with the root canal itself or other problems with the tooth (such as a root fracture).

If you need any more information or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email us

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differs from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us.

After Root Canal – Final Stage

Today we cleaned out the medicine from the previous stage of your treatment and filled up the roots to prevent re-infection.

• If we used a local anesthetic, it can take between an hour to several hours to wear off. While your mouth is numb, be very careful not to accidentally bite or burn your cheeks, lips, or tongue.
• It is normal to feel some tenderness for a few days after your treatment as part of your body’s natural healing process. You can take pain relief for any discomfort. Paracetamol and ibuprofen usually work well.
• You can eat and drink straight away but we recommend waiting until the numb feeling has worn off.
• Your tooth is now weak because there is a large filling in it. This means your tooth will require a crown in the future to:
  1. Prevent the tooth from collapsing or splitting
  2. Seal the tooth from future re-infection
• We normally recommend a crown within 3-6 months to strengthen the tooth or immediately if it is severely compromised.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instruction differs from the above, please follow their advice.

Thank you for choosing us.

Instructions Following All-on-X Surgery/Insert

Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote an uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.

• Day of Surgery & the Day After It is normal to have swelling which gradually increases, pain, blood oozing, nausea, vomiting, fever or an increase in temperature or chills and/or limited mobility in your mouth.
  1. Use ice packs 20 minutes on & 20 minutes off for the first 24 hours while awake (as much as possible). Frozen peas can also do the trick.
  2. Keep your head elevated at night by using an extra pillow. Put a towel over the pillow in case a little bleeding occurs from your mouth.
  3. Avoid alcohol, driving, operation of machinery, smoking, exercise, and strenuous activities. – Drink plenty of water. – Have cold fluids and soft foods only. (e.g. Ice cream, Yoghurt, Eggs, Mashed potato) – Ensure you take the antibiotics as prescribed.
  4. Starting from tomorrow use Chlorhexidine mouthwashes 3-6 times per day, alternating with salt water rinses.
  5. No blowing your nose for 6 weeks, gently wipe it instead.
• 2 Days After Surgery: Swelling reaches its peak. Use heat packs to help soothe your face (e.g. wheat bag).
• 3 Days After Surgery (Day of Bridge Insert): Pain and/or discomfort may start to decrease. Keep to a soft diet (e.g. Fish, Pasta, Soft chicken)
• 2 Days After Insert: As swelling starts to subside, you may notice bruising. If swelling and discomfort start to increase, or if there is a foul taste in your mouth, you may be experiencing an infection.
• 5 Days After Insert: Stitches may start to dissolve away or fall out.
• 3 Weeks After Insert (First Review): We will take X-rays and photos to assess how the surgery went. Tools will be introduced to help you start cleaning around your new teeth.
  Instructions:
  1. Soft diet
  2. Avoid smoking
• Oral Care Instructions:
  1. Resume normal brushing morning and night, including gentle brushing of the gums.
  2. Stop using Chlorhexidine mouth rinses.
  3. Continue with salt water rinses.
  4. Start using Interdental brushes and Water floss.
• 3 Months After Insert (Second Review): We will take X-rays to assess your implant integration. Areline of the teeth may be needed if your bone has undergone major transformation (usually when many extractions were done).
  Instructions:
  1. Gradually return to a normal diet.
• 6 Months After Insert (Final Review & Scaling):
  1. Six monthly Hygienist Scale & Polish starting from this day.
• Ongoing
  1. Six monthly hygienist cleaning.
  2. Annual check-up.

Each person’s teeth are unique. If your dentist’s instructions differ from the above, please follow their
advice.

Thank you for choosing us.