Post-Operative Instructions for Crowns, Bridges and Veneers
Your anesthesia will wear off in 1-3 hours after the procedure. It is very important not to chew on the side that is numb until the anesthesia wears off.
Your tooth may be sensitive to hot, cold or pressure after this procedure. Your gum tissue may also be tender. This is COMPLETELY normal. The more invasive the procedure, the more sensitivity you may experience. The possible symptoms of hot, cold or pressure will cease after a few days to a few weeks. As long as your teeth and/or gums are continuing to feel better, everything is fine. If, however symptoms begin to worsen (increasing sensitivity to cold, heat and pressure), or you experience pain keeping you up at night, please call our office.
Temporary crowns, bridges and veneers
Temporary crowns are utilized for about 2-3 weeks while the more definitive crown, bridge and veneer is being customized for your tooth. The temporary protects the tooth and holds it position during the interim while the definitive crown, bridge or veneer is being hand crafted in the lab.
The temporary crown, bridge and veneer is fragile and will not be as strong as the definitive crown, bridge or veneer.
It is extremely important for the temporary to remain on the tooth until we seat your crown, bridge or veneer. If your temporary becomes loose or comes off at any time, please call our office. Your tooth can shift within a few hours if your temporary is missing, which can inhibit the placement of your permanent crown, bridge or veneer.
Please note: With your temporary, avoid hard and chewy foods (such as ice, taffy hard candy gum, etc.) These are known to pull temporaries off the prepared teeth. Please avoid eating on the temporary as much as possible.
For front teeth with temporaries: Do not tear food off with your front teeth (rather, cut it and chew with your back teeth) or participate in nail biting, chewing pencils, pens or toothpicks
Please carefully clean around the temporary with a toothbrush and floss daily. Remember when flossing the temporary please floss down pull the floss out the side to avoid pulling the temporary off. Do not pull up as this can pull the temporary off. If the temporary does come off, please place a small dot of tooth paste in the depth of the temporary and carefully place back on the tooth. You may also purchase an over-the-counter temporary cement at your local drugstore and do the same thing. The temporary should only fit on the tooth one way. If you have Veneer/Smile Design temporaries, call the office immediately to let us know.
Once the anesthesia has work off and you feel as though any of the teeth we worked on are hitting first, please give the office a call immediately. Temporaries and crowns do not “wear-in” and you do not need to “get used to it.” This imbalance with your bite may cause further discomfort and should be adjusted.
