Cosmetic, Implant, Invisalign & Family Dentistry

Diagnosis and Preventive Care:

Dental Exam/ Digital Radio-graphs/Photos

Dental Exam

An all-inclusive assessment of your oral health is performed by one of our doctors using our state-of-the-art technology to perform a diagnosis, treatment planning, methods of implementation, and follow-up evaluation. These processes include:

  • Comprehensive Exam
  • Risk Assessment of Gum Disease:
  • Risk Assessment of Tooth Decay:
  • Examination of Existing Oral and Tooth Health
  • Oral Cancer Screening:

Digital X-Rays

Digital Radiographs (Digital X-ray’s) provide our dentists and dental hy with essential information to aid and supplement clinical findings that may not be visible during a regular dental exam.

What Dental X-ray’s Reveal:

  • Changes in gum infections
  • The bone level (bone loss detection)
  • Health of tooth-supporting structures
  • Abscesses or Cyst
  • Position of tooth and root
  • Potential unhealthy tooth or gum abnormalities below the gum line

Cleanings, Gum therapy and Maintenance

Dental Cleanings – Prophylaxis

As defined in any medical dictionary, the word prophylaxis refers to the actions that are taken for prevention of disease.
The purpose for what is known as a “regular cleaning” is to prevent gingival infection and the loss of gum attachment to the tooth, leading to tooth loss – this happens as periodontal disease progresses

Gum Therapy for Periodontal Disease

The term therapy, on the other hand, most commonly refers to treatment that is aimed at healing an existing disease or condition.

Periodontal therapy consists of using our specialized dental instrumentation to remove the bacteria that has accumulated underneath the gums, that is applied in the presence of diagnosed gum disease

The Mouth Is The Window To The Body

Research has suggested a strong association between periodontal disease and other chronic (long-lasting) conditions.
Due to the fact that periodontal disease is caused by chronic inflammation of the gums, infection below the gum line and presence of bacteria in the mouth that have the potential to be ingested and absorbed into the body, specially the bloodstream. This creates the risk of developing serious illnesses.

Common Factors Associated:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease and Stroke
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Respiratory Disease
  • Osteoporosis

Periodontal Disease Defined

Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the gums and other tooth-supporting structures that have been infected by bacteria. If untreated, the inflammation travels into the jawbone and can travel throughout the rest of the body. Currently, 75% of American’s are suffering from some sort of gingivitis or periodontal disease [1].

Classification of Periodontal Disease:

  • Initial Periodontitis
  • Early Periodontitis
  • Chronic Periodontitis
  • Aggressive Periodontitis
  • Necrotizing Periodontitis

Treatment and Therapy for Periodontal Disease:

1.) Scaling and root planning
Periodontal scaling and root planing is the initial, noninvasive therapy to alleviate the cause of gum inflammation and subsequent bone loss. This therapeutic procedure is effective in treating patients that suffer from mild gum inflammation, or gingivitis, to a more moderate and/or severe periodontal disease.
The reasons one may be diagnosed for scaling and root planing periodontal therapy include:

  • Prevention of disease
  • Protection of the teeth
  • Improved oral health
  • Improved breath

2.) Antibiotic pellet therapy (Arestin) and /or laser treatment:

  • Antibiotic treatment for gum disease
  • Periodontal disease is a gradually destructive condition, which leads to severe inflammation with subsequent tooth and bone loss when left untreated.
  • Upon return to our office after the initial periodontal scaling and root planning, our dentist or dental hygienist will evaluate your gum pockets to determine if further treatment is necessary.
  • One treatment option is the direct delivery of antibiotics into the gum pocket. The minocycline antibiotic, Arestin ® comes in small pellets which are applied into the gum pockets weeks after scaling and root planning. Research suggests that it is more advantageous to wait for the healing of the gum tissues before application of an anttic.
  • Second option is to use laser to eliminate the bacteria that live deep in the pockets around the teeth.
  • Proper regular home care and regular perio-maintanace is necessary to control the level of return and growth of the bacteria in the pockets.

3.) Osseous Surgery:
If the periodontal desiese is too advanced or too aggressive and after patient has been treated with Deep cleaning and antibiotics / laser still has pockets more than 4 mm, we refer the patient to periodontics for further treatment.

Tissue regeneration

Gum therapy for recession:

The loss of gum tissue around the surfaces of the teeth is an irreversible process that will progressively become worse if not stopped. Gum recession begins during one’s teenage years and becomes commonly found in adults over the age of 40 due to the gradual onset.

Gum recession presents with the following symptoms:

  • Tooth sensitivity – When the roots become exposed due to the loss of gum tissue, this exposes the underlying layers of each tooth
  • Visible Roots
  • Progressively longer looking teeth due to the lost gum tissue
  • Bad breath along with gum inflammation and bleeding are all caused by the same bacteria that cause the gums to recede when they are embedded underneath the gum tissue

Risk Factors of Gum Recession

  • Overaggressive tooth brushing
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Tobacco products
  • Gum disease (periodontal disease)

Misdiagnosed Gum Recession

Abfraction occurs as tiny notches caused by an unequally distribution of force on teeth, mostly caused from incorrect bite, chewing, clenching, and grinding. All of which put undue pressure on teeth, causing them to flex. They occur Teeth with these notches can become progressively weaker through time, leaving them prone to further micro fractures and at a higher risk of breaking. These lesions do not heal with time and although some may worsen, unless severe, they do not require treatment.

The progression of these lesions can be prevented from becoming more severe by correcting the underlying cause of undue stress and the uneven distribution of forces on these teeth.

Maintenance

After gum tissue health has been attained, it is up to your daily at-home practice of dental care to keep the teeth and gums free from new or recurrent bacterial presence.

Our dedicated team of dental hygienists will be able to assess your needs and create an at-home care plan designed for you! This includes making recommendations on toothbrushes, toothpastes, or floss for specific conditions to make it easy for you to achieve maximum oral health. Although all our patient’s receive a toothbrush kit with these aids after each cleaning appointment, sometimes, patients with periodontal disease require some special aids to help with their at home care.

Oral Cancer

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a common reality in households all across the world. In the United States alone, one person dies of oral cancer every single hour. Unfortunately, this means that in any given year, oral cancer kills more people in the United States than other common cancers such as skin, lymphatic, thyroid, and cervical cancers.

An estimated 37,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. More than half of these will be diagnosed as late stage cancers. Like many other cancers, oral cancers that are found in later stages have significantly lower survival rates – sometimes even 20-30%. What is more, late stage oral cancers require more invasive surgical treatment, oftentimes leaving individuals with an overall loss of oral function.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Historically, the majority of oral cancer cases were diagnosed among three risk groups – people over the age of 50, tobacco users, and heavy alcohol consumers. However, this disease pattern has changed dramatically in recent years due to new risk factors that have entered the scene. Today, oral cancer is being diagnosed at an alarming rate in people between the ages of 25 and 50, the majority of whom are non-smokers. These new cases are largely attributable to the emergence of a cancer-causing virus called Human Papilliomavirus–16 (HPV-16) – the same virus that is responsible for the majority of cervical cancers. HPV-16 may be sexually transmitted between partners and accounts for the recent increase in oral cancer rates among young, non-smoking victims who do not fall into historical high-risk groups. This alarming trend highlights the stark reality that each and every adult, not just those over the age of 50, is susceptible to oral cancer and should thus be regularly screened.

The high death rates associated with oral cancer are largely attributable to late discovery and diagnosis. The good news is that oral cancer, when found early, has survival rates of 80-90%. What is more, oral cancer can be detected in these early stages using simple, inexpensive, and painless screening. The best way to ensure that you remain healthy and up-to-date with annual screenings is to demand that your dentist or dental hygienist perform a yearly oral cancer screening exam. During this painless, 3-5 minute screening, most of the signs of oral cancer can be detected with the eye or felt with the fingers.

Oral Cancer Screening Devices Available

VELscopeTM

At Spectrum Dentistry, we also offer the VELscope™ exam to our patients as an additional screening tool to help identify and photograph cancerous and precancerous growths that may not be detectible with traditional oral exams. A VELscope™ exam is both quick and painless. Because it can identify cellular changes and abnormal growths before they become cancerous, cancers that are found with VELscope™ exams have increased five-year survival rates of 80% or higher. Irregularities that are identified during yearly oral cancer screenings are then easily biopsied for a definitive diagnosis.

At Spectrum Dentistry, your overall health is our number one concern. With annual screenings and VELscope™ exams, you can rest assured that you will always receive the best and most up-to-date healthcare. For more information regarding oral cancer and the VELscope™ System, please visit www.oralcancerfoundation.org or www.velscope.com. Or simply call us with any questions you may have.

ViziLite® T-Blue®

ViziLite® TBlue® is a quick and easy to use system that takes 2 minutes to complete through this patented and clinically proven technology. This test is very effective in supplementing the visual examination in identifying lesions associated with precancerous or cancerous cells. Clinical studies have shown that ViziLite® TBlue® has not produced any false negative outcomes and significantly reduces the number of lesions as false positives. However, a positive finding must be followed up with a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis.

Dental Sealants & Preventive Fluoride Treatment

Dental sealants consist of a thin, plastic coating of safe dental material placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The purpose of dental sealants is prevention of the accumulation of bacteria within the deep crevices that are a part of the tooth structure, where more than 80% of tooth decay begins. Sealants provide a smoother, more level surface of the tooth, making it easier to clean teeth.

This is especially important for young children whose permanent teeth are coming in, the importance of placing dental sealants when teeth first erupt leads to a 95% decrease in tooth decay for the future health of that tooth.

According to the American Dental Association and American Dental Hygiene Association, the application of fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay. Researchers have supported the fact that fluoride benefits have decreased the onset of tooth decay for over 60 years and can even reverse tooth decay at its early stage [1]. When combined with proper at-home dental care by patients, the application of fluoride is very effective.

Sources of Fluoride:

Topical fluoride

  • Topical fluoride is used by dentists and dental hygienists to strengthen tooth enamel on adults and children and found in many over-the-counter products such as toothpastes, mouth washes, and gels.
  • Prescription strength fluoride toothpaste is also available for patients with cavities in the early stages to help reverse the decay process.
  • It is recommended that children receive topical fluoride applications twice a year to prevent the onset of tooth decay.

Systemic fluoride

  • Systemic fluoride is most beneficial to children because it not only strengthens their erupted teeth, it helps mineralize the developing teeth and roots underneath the gums.
  • There are many forms of systemic fluoride, with the majority being available through most foods and water supplies
  • However, too much of anything may have the opposite effect, so if too much fluoride is given to children while their teeth are developing, there may white spots that appear on teeth, a condition called fluorosis.

It is important to remember that fluoride alone is not effective in preventing tooth decay. Using proper tooth brushing methods along with recommended tooth paste and floss, twice daily, along with limited sugar intake and regular dental visits is the most effective ways in preventing tooth decay.

At-home Dental Care

Our priority at Spectrum Dentistry is to create a beautiful and healthy smile for each of our patients. Whether that is your goal depends on your willingness to possibly make life style changes such as eating balanced meals and correctly using the various dental aids that help control the bacterial content inside your mouth. If you are not, that is okay, we will listen to your concerns and customize a treatment plan that assess your needs, whether you choose to follow our recommendations is up to you.

Based on the health of your gums and teeth, a tooth brushing method and dental aid will be selected for you to help make your at home care easier. The hygienist will use these methods to determine which is best for you:

  • Health of gum
  • Health of teeth
  • Previous at home dental care habits
  • Dietary analysis

Invisalign

For more information about Invisalign, click here.

The Mouth Is The Window To The Body

Research has suggested a strong association between periodontal disease and other chronic (long-lasting) conditions.
Due to the fact that periodontal disease is caused by chronic inflammation of the gums, infection below the gum line and presence of bacteria in the mouth that have the potential to be ingested and absorbed into the body, specially the bloodstream. This creates the risk of developing serious illnesses.

Common Factors Associated:

• Diabetes
• Heart Disease and Stroke
• Pregnancy Complications
• Respiratory Disease
• Osteoporosis

Periodontal Disease Defined

Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the gums and other tooth-supporting structures that have been infected by bacteria. If untreated, the inflammation travels into the jawbone and can travel throughout the rest of the body. Currently, 75% of American’s are suffering from some sort of gingivitis or periodontal disease [1].

Classification of Periodontal Disease:

• Initial Periodontitis
• Early Periodontitis
• Chronic Periodontitis
• Aggressive Periodontitis
• Necrotizing Periodontitis

Treatment and Therapy for Periodontal Disease:

1) Scaling and root planning

Periodontal scaling and root planing is the initial, noninvasive therapy to alleviate the cause of gum inflammation and subsequent bone loss. This therapeutic procedure is effective in treating patients that suffer from mild gum inflammation, or gingivitis, to a more moderate and/or severe periodontal disease.
The reasons one may be diagnosed for scaling and root
planing periodontal therapy include:

• Prevention of disease
• Protection of the teeth
• Improved oral health
• Improved breath

2) Antibiotic pellet therapy (Arestin) and /or laser treatment:

Antibiotic treatment for gum disease
Periodontal disease is a gradually destructive condition, which leads to severe inflammation with subsequent tooth and bone loss when left untreated.
Upon return to our office after the initial periodontal scaling and root planning, our dentist or dental hygienist will evaluate your gum pockets to determine if further treatment is necessary.
One treatment option is the direct delivery of antibiotics into the gum pocket. The minocycline antibiotic, Arestin ® comes in small pellets which are applied into the gum pockets weeks after scaling and root planning. Research suggests that it is more advantageous to wait for the healing of the gum tissues before application of an anttic.
Second option is to use laser to eliminate the bacteria that live deep in the pockets around the teeth.
Proper regular home care and regular perio-maintanace is necessary to control the level of return and growth of the bacteria in the pockets.

3) Osseous Surgery:

If the periodontal desiese is too advanced or too aggressive and after patient has been treated with Deep cleaning and antibiotics / laser still has pockets more than 4 mm, we refer the patient to periodontics for further treatment.

Tissue regeneration

Gum therapy for recession:

The loss of gum tissue around the surfaces of the teeth is an irreversible process that will progressively become worse if not stopped. Gum recession begins during one’s teenage years and becomes commonly found in adults over the age of 40 due to the gradual onset.

Gum recession presents with the following symptoms:

• Tooth sensitivity – When the roots become exposed due to the loss of gum tissue, this exposes the underlying layers of each tooth
• Visible Roots
• Progressively longer looking teeth due to the lost gum tissue
• Bad breath along with gum inflammation and bleeding are all caused by the same bacteria that cause the gums to recede when they are embedded underneath the gum tissue

Risk Factors of Gum Recession

• Overaggressive tooth brushing
• Poor oral hygiene
• Tobacco products
• Gum disease (periodontal disease)

Misdiagnosed Gum Recession

Abfraction occurs as tiny notches caused by an unequally distribution of force on teeth, mostly caused from incorrect bite, chewing, clenching, and grinding. All of which put undue pressure on teeth, causing them to flex. They occur Teeth with these notches can become progressively weaker through time, leaving them prone to further micro fractures and at a higher risk of breaking. These lesions do not heal with time and although some may worsen, unless severe, they do not require treatment.
The progression of these lesions can be prevented from becoming more severe by correcting the underlying cause of undue stress and the uneven distribution of forces on these teeth.

Maintenance

After gum tissue health has been attained, it is up to your daily at-home practice of dental care to keep the teeth and gums free from new or recurrent bacterial presence.
Our dedicated team of dental hygienists will be able to assess your needs and create an at-home care plan designed for you! This includes making recommendations on toothbrushes, toothpastes, or floss for specific conditions to make it easy for you to achieve maximum oral health. Although all our patient’s receive a toothbrush kit with these aids after each cleaning appointment, sometimes, patients with periodontal disease require some special aids to help with their at home care.

Restorative

Pain Alleviation and Management

Pain is characterized by experiencing discomfort, distress, or suffering. An individuals’ tolerance may vary in intensity from mild to intolerable suffering

Applications of Pain Management

  • Local Anesthesia
  • Single Tooth Anesthetic (STA)

Milestone Scientific’s award-winning STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System® combines patented, state-of-the-art computer-controlled injection technology with the dentist’s training to achieve more precise injections, improved drug delivery and materially enhanced patient comfort levels

To learn more about the STA system and the technology behind this innovative product, please visit their website: http://www.milestonescientific.com/dental.html

  • Nitrous Oxide: State of conscious sedation produced while patient is awake, relaxed, and responsible to commands and has intact protective reflexes

Composite (Tooth-colored) Fillings and Bonding

The process of a filling involves removing decayed, cracked, or fractured tooth structure and preparing the site to be replaced by a restorative material. Tooth-colored or composite fillings are used to fill the decayed or affected site to regain function of that particular tooth.

Recommendations for Composite Fillings

  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Decayed teeth
  • Worn teeth
  • Aesthetically to close a space between two teeth

There are various types and brands of filling material, including a variety of different composite materials to choose from. Here at Spectrum Dentistry, our doctors make the best recommendation of filling type based on your previous history to dental work and your personal preference as a patient.

Composite fillings are very durable and if taken care of with proper home-health care, can provide you a beautiful smile for many years. However, like most dental restorations, they are not permanent and may have to be replaced someday.

Preparation of Composite Fillings:

The process of placing composite fillings consists of a single appointment, in which the area of the decayed tooth will be numbed and the dentist will remove the decay or any potion of a cracked tooth in order to “prepare” the site for filling placement.

It is normal to experience temperature sensitivity to hot and cold within the first few weeks of composite filling placement. This will subside shortly after your tooth adjusts to its original shape and function. Rarely, an additional appointment is needed to perform a bite adjustment. Due to the fact that patients are numb when their bites are adjusted after a composite filling is placed.

Dental bonding is an alternative solution to repair chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth. The process requires less time than the application of porcelain veneers and, depending on how many teeth are being repaired, can usually be completed in one visit. Bonding involves a composite resin being applied to a tooth to alter its appearance.

Prior to the procedure, our dentists will select a shade of the resin that matches the color of your teeth.

After the bonding material has been applied, the tooth will be shaped and polished to complement the size and finish of your surrounding teeth, leaving you with a beautiful new smile. Contact us today, to learn more about dental bonding and how it can help reshape your smile.

Crown and Bridge Restorations

A crown restoration is a covering that encapsulates the entire tooth and restores it to its original shape and size. The purpose of this is to regain function on a tooth that cannot be successfully restored with fillings or other types of restorations.

Reasons for Crowns:

  • Root canal treated teeth
  • Decay on teeth with large fillings without much natural tooth structure
  • Broken or fractured teeth (above the gum line)
  • Cosmetic enhancement

Preparation of Crown:

This procedure usually requires two appointments due to the laboratory made crown restoration. The first visit involves “preparing” the tooth for a mold to be taken and used to create a custom crown. Then a custom temporary crown will be made to preserve the tooth.

The second appointment consists of removing the temporary crown and making sure that the permanent crown is a perfect fit, ensuring the bite and spacing is accurate, confirmed with an X-ray.

Home care instructions are regular dental visits are encouraged to check and monitor the condition of your new crown.

Dentures and Partials

Inlays and Onlays

An inlay or onlay restoration is a laboratory made “filling” that is made of materials that are stronger and able to withstand the increased forces placed on the back teeth during chewing.

Inlays and Onlays have revolutionized conservative dentistry in order to repair teeth while maintaining more natural tooth structure than before, thus leading to increased life-span of that tooth.

Composition of Inlays or Onlays:

  • Composite filling material
  • Metals like gold
  • Precious material like porcelain

Preparation of Inlays and Onlays:

Inlay procedures are two-visit procedures due to the fact that they require the restoration to be made at a laboratory. The first appointment consists of the dentist “preparing” the site and tooth for mold of your mouth used to create the final restoration. A temporary restoration will be made for you to wear for two weeks until the final is returned from the laboratory.

The second appointment requires that your inlay be tried in and if the dentist feels that the fit and color is to the standard of dental care and you are satisfied with the restoration, then it will be cemented.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is a procedure that is needed when the nerve inside the tooth is in the process of dying by decay or infection. In order to preserve the tooth, the nerve in the innermost part of the tooth along with any bacteria or unwanted tooth debris and the spaces are medicated and filled.

If provided with a root canal option, it is important to understand that it is a choice to save a tooth that would otherwise have to be pulled. It is believed that removing the tooth will solve the problem, and although it is a temporary pain reliever, what is not realized is that pulling a tooth will ultimately be more expensive and may cause severe problems for neighboring teeth.

Root canal treatment is a very successful procedure that usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to a new infection.

Notable Signs and Symptoms of Infected or Dying Nerve:

  • Severe toothache
  • Swelling or tenderness to touch
  • Pimple or abscess on the gums
  • Temperature sensitivity to hold and cold
  • Sometimes, there are no symptoms

Root Canal Therapy Procedure:

Root canals are usually performed in a single visit, however a second visit may be required based on the extent of the infection. In either situation, the patient is alleviated of their pain after the initial visit.

Root canals are usually performed in a single visit, however a second visit may be required based on the extent of the infection. In either situation, the patient is alleviated of their pain after the initial visit.

Since the nourishment of minerals will no longer be available to a root canal treated tooth, a buildup and crown restoration are most always required to restore the tooth back to full function and prevent the tooth from possibly fracturing.

Extractions and Grafting

This specialty branch of dentistry consists of advanced training and expertise in the diagnosis and treatment planning of various head and neck injuries as well as localized and generalized conditions.

  • Complicated wisdom tooth extractions
  • TMJ, Facial Pain, and Facial Reconstruction
  • Misaligned jaws
  • Cleft lip and palate
  • Oral cancers, tumors, cysts, and biopsies
  • Facial cosmetic surgery

The process using bone grafting is used to regain height, depth, and width of the jawbone at a previous extraction site or site of severe bone loss.

Overall, bone grafting is very successful in most cases where the body accepts the bone material. This procedure increases the height or width of needed sites that require bone in order to fill in holes after tooth extractions as well as defects in the bone.

The level of bone is affected by several factors, including:

  • Periodontal Disease: Chronic and progressive gum infection leads to premature bone loss and subsequent tooth loss
  • Tooth Extraction: At the time of tooth extraction, a minimum of 50% bone height is lost due to the fact that the tooth socket does not fill in completely with new bone. This results in the sides of the sockets collapsing into the hole, thus lowering the overall height of bone.
  • Dental Trauma: Injuries such as a traumatic accident can cause destruction and improper functioning of the cells responsible for the bone in the jawbone.

The positive impact that bone grafting can have on the health and stability of the teeth include:

  • Stabilizing the position of the teeth and jaw to conserve the foundation for any dental work to replace missing teeth or tooth supporting structures
  • Additionally, bone grafting may be used for correcting facial deformities as part of congenital or traumatic incidents.
  • Safeguarding the remaining bone from recession following a tooth extraction, destruction from gum disease, or other traumatic or infectious processes.

Advantages of Bone Grafting

  • Overall less bone loss by the time an extraction site has healed, this makes for more options as far as tooth replacement is concerned. Implants, bridges, or partial dentures will fit more closely to having your own natural tooth.
  • If the bone is healthy and free of infection, it is ideal to place the graft at the time of extraction due to the fact that the blood supply is greatest, leading to a more favorable tissue healing environments, which results in the most favorable outcome.

Bone Grafting Candidacy

Each patient needs to be thoroughly examined by one of our dentists to regarding the affected area in order to assess the general condition off the gums, teeth, and remaining bone to determine if a patient is eligible to receive bone grafting as part of their treatment process. For example, a patient with chronic, active periodontal disease with subsequent bone loss will have to have these factors addressed and treated before continuing with the bone grafting.

Additionally, our dentists may also need further diagnostic tools such as a panoramic X-ray or CAT scan to precisely determine the depth and width of the existing bone. These diagnostic tools are used to prevent having to undergo an exploriority surgery, requiring an incision at a site, and then determining there is not enough bone to move forward with the procedure.

Types of Bone Graft Material

There are various types of bone graft material. Our office utilizes only Allograft bone graft, specifically from cadaver bone. Studies have shown over a 98% success rate when using allograft bone with other bones not of autogenous nature (taken from one’s own body). Tooth replacement with allograft bone is very successful and we are pleased to say we have a 100% success rate with all our restorative cases using implant dentistry!

Sinus Lift & Ridge Augmentation

Implant Placement and Restoration

For more information, click here.

Post-op Instructions

Extraction:

  1. Pressure should be placed on the gauze pad that has been placed on the extraction site for one hour. If the bleeding continues new gauze should be placed and pressed on for another 45 minutes.
  2. If you are supervising children who have had extraction done, make sure they don t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue). Also make sure they do not swallow the gauze due to its choking hazard.
  3. Avoid eating or drinking anything hot on the day of your extraction. Also, do not rinse your mouth, do not use a straw for drinking. Do not spit and do not drink carbonated beverages. Do not brush on the day of the surgery; you can resume your brushing and flossing the day after, gently.
  4. You may experience some pain, bruising around your lips and/or some swelling, especially after extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. Ice bag application and medication prescribed for you will help to minimize your discomfort.
  5. Please take all the medication you have received based on the instructions given to you.
  6. During the first 2-3 days after the surgery a diet of soft food and liquids is recommended (soup, yogurt, milk shake and juice).
  7. For more complex Surgical Procedures including Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction, Implant Surgical Procedures, etc; you will receive an ice wrap which should be worn for the rest of the day and until you go to bed on the day of surgery only (10 minutes on and 5 minutes off). Individual instructions for various surgical treatments will have some unique directions which will be supplied to you at the time of your treatment.
  8. Call our office if you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain or swelling or if you have any questions or concerns. In case of serious emergencies call 911.

Fillings:

  1. Do not eat on your new filling for one hour and until your numbness is gone.
  2. If you are supervising children who had fillings done, make sure they don t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).
  3. Do not bite hard or chew on silver Amalgam fillings for 24 hours.
  4. You may experience cold and heat sensitivity and some soreness on your gum, this usually subsides in few days.
  5. Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort for more than a few days after the fillings, or if you have any questions.

Crown and bridge (also inlays and Onlays):

  1. Crown and bridges usually take 2 or 3 appointments to complete. On the first appointment the tooth/teeth are prepared and impressions are taken and a temporary crown is placed on your tooth/teeth.
  2. You may experience sensitivity, gum soreness and slight discomfort on the tooth / teeth, it should subside after the placement of permanent crown.
  3. Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.
  4. Temporary crown is usually made of plastic based material or soft metal. It could break if too much pressure is placed on it. The crown also may come off; if it does, save the crown and call our office. The temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth and prevent other teeth to move. If it comes off it should be replaced. To avoid losing your temporary, avoid chewing on sticky and hard food (chewing gum, ice). Try to chew on the opposite side of the treatment as much as possible.
  5. After the permanent restoration is placed you may feel slight pressure for a few days. Also, the bite may feel different for a day or two. But if the bite feels uneven or you feel discomfort on chewing on the tooth after 2-3 days call our office. Delaying the necessary adjustments may damage the tooth permanently.
  6. Continue your normal brushing but be careful while flossing around the temporaries (remove the floss gently from the side).
  7. Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.

Root Canal Treatment:

  1. You may experience moderate pain and sensitivity to pressure on your tooth. Also, you may feel gum soreness for few days after your treatment. The healing process may take several days but the pain and discomfort should subside gradually.
  2. Take any medication that was prescribed for you according to instructions.
  3. Usually a temporary filling has been placed on your tooth, do not bite on the tooth for one hour and while you are numb. Also, until the permanent restoration is placed, be very gentle with the tooth. Try to chew with the opposite side.
  4. Continue your brushing and flossing.
  5. Follow up with the placement of your permanent restoration as you have been advised. Any unnecessary delay on placement of final restoration may damage the tooth permanently and may lead to extraction of the tooth.
  6. Call our office if you are in severe pain or experience swelling or if you have any questions.

Teeth Cleaning (Deep Cleaning):

  1. You may experience some cold and heat sensitivity (especially after deep cleaning).
  2. If you have received anesthesia do not eat anything until the numbness has worn off.
  3. Continue your regular brushing and flossing.
  4. Some bleeding for a day or two after cleaning is normal, but if you experience any excessive bleeding call our office.
  5. Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.