Home Instructions
Post-Operative Extraction Instruction
You may have had an anesthetic injection, so please be careful not to bite your cheek or tongue.
45 minutes to 1 hour after extraction:
Now that your extraction is completed, Dr. Bork has placed a gauze pad over the area. You should continue biting on this for 45 minutes to 1 hour (talking only through your teeth, not moving your jaw). After that period of time you may remove the gauze and throw it away.
You should not have additional bleeding at this time. However, if bleeding does occur, take one of the gauze pads you were given and fold it in half and then in half again. Very carefully place it over the extraction site and then bite down on it as previously for one more hour. If you are not sure if it is placed properly, have someone help you. Nine out of ten times when people have bleeding problems it is because the second piece of gauze was not placed properly.
Next 6 hours:
For the next six hours do not smoke (if you do), do not suck on a straw, and do not spit. Any sucking or blowing action could dislodge the clot that is forming in the extraction site, causing a dry socket or giving you a secondary infection.
Medication:
If you are having discomfort and would like to try to relieve it with medication, Dr. Bork recommends ibuprofen, which is sold as ibuprofen or by the brand names Advil or Motrin. Use as directed on the label. It should be taken with plenty of water and best not on an empty stomach.
If you are allergic to or under doctor’s order not to take ibuprofen, Dr. Bork then recommends acetaminophen, unless of course you have complications with it.
If the pain is severe and the above does not give you relief, contact the office at the below number.
Diet:
Your diet this evening should be light and soft, nothing hard that could get jammed down in that area. It should also be lukewarm or room temperature; extreme hot or cold tend to aggravate the site.
After the first twenty-four hours:
You can start with gentle warm saltwater rinses to keep the area clean. You can brush around the area, but not down in the extraction site
If you have any additional questions, please contact our office at (908) 537-4248. Thank you!
Caring for Your Temporary Crown
NOTE: If your temporary crown becomes loose, comes off, or breaks or changes in any way, please contact our office as soon as possible for an appointment.
Care:
- Be sure to continue your brushing and flossing of the area. Brush gently and when flossing, do not pull up on the floss as it may loosen the crown.
- The gum area may be sensitive for a few days.
- If the tooth feels high or if you have any sensation when you tap your teeth together, please just let us know.
Foods to Avoid:
Sticky Foods:
Gum
Caramel
Taffy
Fruit Roll-Ups
Gummy Bears
Tough Foods:
Meat (cut into small pieces)
Hard Bread, Bagels, Pizza Crust
Hard Pretzels
If you have any additional questions, please contact our office at (908) 537-4248. Thank you!
Composite (White) Fillings
If you had an anesthetic injection, please be careful not to bite your cheek or tongue. You may be numb for several hours.
Your filling is completely set by the time you leave the office, so you are able to chew on it as soon as the anesthetic is completely worn off.
You may experience some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. This is normal. The injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil), Tylenol, or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness.
