(Fillings / Crowns / Onlays / Bridges / Veneers
When to call us
It’s normal to experience some discomfort for a few days after a restoration. However, please contact us immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Pain or swelling that develops or worsens after 24 hours.
- Any allergic reaction (e.g., rash, itching, breathing difficulty) to medication.
- Pain when biting or the feeling that your bite is “off” after the anesthetic wears off — this may indicate a high bite, which means your restoration is sitting too high. This needs to be corrected promptly to avoid damaging the tooth or nerve. The adjustment is quick (under 10 minutes) and should be done as soon as possible.
After Care Instructions
While Numb
- Do not eat or drink until the anesthetic has fully worn off to prevent accidental injury to your lips, cheek, or tongue.
Eating Guidelines
- To protect your restoration long term, avoid hard or sticky foods (ice, nuts, pretzels, hard candies, caramels, taffy, gum, etc.)
Brushing & Flossing
- You may brush and floss normally around the restoration unless instructed otherwise.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to extend the life of the restoration and keep the surrounding gum tissue and teeth healthy.
- For a bridge: To floss under a bridge, you need special tools to get underneath the artificial tooth (or pontic). Traditional floss alone won’t work since the bridge is a single, connected unit. The most effective tools are floss threaders, specialized floss (like Super Floss), and water flossers. There are many helpful videos online demonstrating how to floss a bridge, such as:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMdNNb1JA68.
What to Expect After Treatment
Some mild soreness or sensitivity is normal for a few days after placement. Possible reasons for discomfort include:
- Jaw soreness from keeping your mouth open during the procedure
- Injection site tenderness
- Pain when biting due to a high bite, which can and should be adjusted quickly
Pain Management and Medications
To manage discomfort:
- Use over the counter pain medication. We recommend taking two tablets of Ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin 200mg) with two tablets of Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol 500mg) together, unless you have a medical condition or allergy that prevents this.
- Take pain relievers before the anesthetic wears off, or as recommended.
- To ease a tender injection site you can rinse gently with warm salt water (1 tsp salt in 8 oz of warm water) up to 3 times a day.
Caring for a Temporary Crown/Bridge (If Applicable)
If you are wearing a temporary crown or bridge, please take the following precautions:
- Avoid chewing on the side with the temporary.
- Do not eat sticky or hard foods that could dislodge or damage the temporary.
- If the temporary comes loose or falls off, call us immediately. Teeth can shift quickly and affect the fit of your restoration.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 513-245-2200. We’re here to support your healing and continued dental health.
