Numbness
Your mouth may be numb for several hours after the procedure. Do not bite, scratch, or injure the cheek, lips, or tongue during this time. You can carefully drink little sips of water during this time but avoid eating.
Gum Soreness
You may expect some gum soreness around the teeth after crown and bridge preparation. Warm salt water rinses will help to alleviate discomfort. Injection sites may be sore for several days after the appointment. You can take over the counter pain medicines or use topical Orajel for temporary pain relief.
Sensitive tooth
It is normal to experience some sensitivity to heat, cold, sweets and pressure after your appointment. This sensitivity may last from several weeks to several months after treatment. Usually, the deeper the cavity, the more sensitive the tooth will be. Make sure your bite feels even.
Temporary Crown/Bridge
After your first appointment for crown and bridge treatment, we place a temporary crown or bridge on the tooth or teeth involved. The temporary crown protects while the custom crown is being crafted from sensitivity and helps to prevent movement of adjacent and opposing teeth, so the final crown can fit properly. Crown is cemented with temporary cement, so it can be easily removed at your next appointment.
Please avoid hard and sticky foods on the side of the temporary teeth to avoid pulling them off. If possible, chew on the opposite side from the tooth that was worked on to avoid dislodging the temporary. You can brush around your temporary teeth gently. You may not be able to floss if the temporary teeth are connected together but you can floss between the temporary and adjacent natural teeth. Pull out the floss to the side rather than up or down from the tooth.
If your temporary crown comes off before your next appointment, please call our office so we can have you in to recement or repair it If it comes off after hours or if you are out of town, drug stores sell over the counter recementing products.
Color and feel of temporary crown/Bridge
We try our best to make the temporary teeth as comfortable and esthetic for you as possible, however they may not feel as smooth as your natural teeth or permanent crown and the shape may not be as accurate. Your permanent crown or bridge will look and feel very close to your natural teeth.
Uneven bite
If your bite feels uneven, please call our office so we can make it a quick adjustment to the restoration. Do not assume your bite will get better after time. The tooth may become irritated and a toothache may occur if this adjustment is not done where necessary. It may also cause an increase in temperature sensitivity with the tooth.
Please call our office with any questions or concerns.
Numbness
If anesthesia was used, your mouth may be numb for several hours after the procedure. Do not bite, scratch, or injure the cheek, lips, or tongue during this time. You can carefully drink little sips of water during this time but avoid eating.
Diet
Do not eat or drink for 1 hour after crown/bridge seat. Skip eating on the side of crown/bridge seat for your next meal. After that, you should be able to eat or drink like normal.
Gum irritation
Your gums might stay irritated for a day or two due to cement clean up or if gum tissue was manipulated.
Hygiene
It is extremely important to maintain proper hygiene to ensure your crown/bridge lasts you a long time. Please brush and floss around crowns as normal. For Bridge, use floss threaders and waterpik to clean food trapped under the bridge, at least once per day.
Tooth Sensitivity
If your teeth have not had root canals done, your teeth may become sensitive after crown/bridge seat. In most cases it is temporary and should only last a few days. Occasionally teeth may need root canal treatment after crown/bridge placement due to permanent nerve irritation
Bite adjustment
We will try our best to make sure your bite is even when you leave. However, occasionally the bite may need to be adjusted further. If you feel your bite is not even or it hurts to chew, call us immediately so we can schedule you for bite adjustment.