PLEASE CHOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
Bonded tooth-colored restoration
Crown/brigde/onlay preparation and temporary crown/brigde/onlay placement
Final crown/onlay/brigde
Cosmetic veneer preparation and trial smile provisionals
Final veneers

BONDED TOOTH-COLORED RESTORATIONS
The restoration(s) you have just received are made of state-of-the-art materials. The restoration is placed in the tooth in layers in order to build up the natural shape of the tooth and/or to replace a missing or defective filling.

Although the new restoration is fully light-cured and ready to chew on, most likely you will still be numb for a few hours. It is advisable to refrain from eating until you are no longer numb. You may however, eat or drink anything that does not require chewing. You may wish to take a mild medication for discomfort, such as Motrin or Tylenol before the anesthetic wears off. Do not take any medication to which you are allergic.

Although it only happens occasionally, it is normal to have sensitivity to temperature on the treated tooth or teeth for a short time. Normally, this sensitivity will last only a few days to a few weeks. Occasionally, it may continue for a longer time period, but in most cases, it will subside gradually. If sensitivity to hot or cold continues, please do not hesitate to call our office. We would be happy to examine the area to make sure everything is all right.

Also, please inform us if the restoration feels “high” to your bite. If it seems that the restoration contacts before your other teeth or contacts heavier, it can make the tooth sensitive.
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CROWN/BRIDGE/ONLAY PREPARATION & TEMPORARY CROWN/BRIDGE/ONLAY PLACEMENT
A temporary crown or bridge has been placed after your tooth or teeth have been prepared. It is essential that this temporary restoration be in place for the entire time before you receive your final crown or bridge restoration. It is meant to both protect your prepared tooth as well as to maintain the space and position of your teeth. Drifting of the teeth can occur if the temporary is left off. This could also cause the final crown not to fit.

After tooth preparation it is possible that your prepared tooth could be sensitive to temperature, certain foods or sweets. This is in part due to the fact that the temporary does not fit your mouth like your final crown. This does not happen in every case. The sensitivity may only last for 3 to 5 days.

You may wish to take a mild medication for discomfort, such as Motrin or Tylenol before the anesthetic wears off. Do not take any medication to which you are allergic. In the event that the discomfort does not subside after taking a mild medication, or if the medication does not provide relief, do not hesitate to call our office.

Please inform us if the restoration feels “high” to your bite. If it seems that the restoration contacts before your other teeth when you chew or close, or contacts heavier than your other teeth, it can make the tooth sensitive.

The temporary cement requires about 30 minutes to set. Please do not chew during that period of time. It is advisable to refrain from eating until you are no longer numb. You may however, eat or drink anything that does not require chewing. Certain foods will stick to the temporary crown. So please refrain from chewing gum or other candies or foods that might stick to the crown—or even pull it out. Minimize use of the side of your mouth with the temporary crown. Shift the bulk of your chewing to the other side of your mouth. Avoid chewing hard or crunchy foods (such as raw vegetables), which could dislodge or break the crown.

Temporary crowns are not strong. They may occasionally break or come off. If this should happen to you please contact our office immediately, bring your crown with you and we will replace it. Should you be unable to contact us, simply go to a pharmacy and get some Fixodent (denture adhesive). Replace the temporary crown on your tooth using the Fixodent to hold it in place until you can contact us.

Caution: If the temporary crown seems as though it will not stay in place securely, do not wear it when you sleep.

Your gum tissue may be tender for a short time after treatment. Keep them as clean as possible to avoid further irritation. It is advisable to soak the area with warm salt water (one quarter to one half teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water). Hold a mouthful at a time for five seconds on the gum area and spit out. Repeat this with the rest of the salt water. Warm saltwater soaks should be done at least twice daily. For a minimum of five days, but doing this each day until you return is better.

Occasionally, a small amount of unhealthy or excessive gum tissue may have been removed with a laser. If so, do not disturb the area for eight (8) hours, except for rinsing as explained above. After this time period, gentle brushing is recommended. Do not brush or floss too vigorously around your temporary crown. Remember it is important to keep the area clean—but use caution and a gentle touch. If you are able to floss, remove the floss by gently pulling it out to the side (toward your cheek) rather than pulling it up between the teeth.
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FINAL CROWN/ONLAY/BRIDGE
Your final crown/onlay/bridge has been tried in, adjusted and cemented or bonded. Do not chew hard or sticky foods on the restorations for 24 hours from the time they are cemented. The cement must mature to have optimum strength. You can, however, brush and floss as usual.

If you have received a local anesthetic, It is advisable to refrain from eating until you are no longer numb. You may however, eat or drink anything that does not require chewing. You may, if you wish, take a mild medication for discomfort, such as Motrin or Tylenol, before the anesthetic wears off. Do not take any medication to which you are allergic. It is unlikely that you will experience any more than mild, transient sensitivity. However, in the event that the discomfort does not subside after taking a mild medication, or if the medication does not provide relief, do not hesitate to call our office.

Please inform us if the restoration feels “high” to your bite. If it seems that the restoration contacts before your other teeth when you chew or close, or contacts heavier than your other teeth, it can make the tooth sensitive.

Your gum tissue may be tender for a short time after treatment. Keep the tissue as clean as possible to avoid further irritation. It is advisable to soak the area with warm salt water (one quarter to one half teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water). Hold a mouthful at a time for five seconds on the gum area and spit out. Repeat this with the rest of the salt water. Warm saltwater soaks should be done at least twice daily for a minimum of five days.

If you received a final bridge, you were instructed on how to clean underneath the replacement tooth or teeth using a floss threaded or super-floss. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us. It is important to clean under the bridge area regularly to avoid future tooth decay or gum soreness.
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COSMETIC VENEER PREPARATION AND TRIAL SMILE PROVISIONALS
Temporary veneers have been placed after your tooth or teeth have been prepared. It is essential that the temporary restoration be in place for the entire time before you receive your final veneer restorations. It is meant to both protect your prepared tooth as well as to maintain the space and position of your teeth. Drifting of the teeth can occur if the temporary is left off. This could also cause the final veneers not to fit.

You may wish to take a mild medication for discomfort, such as Motrin or Tylenol before the anesthetic wears off. Do not take any medication to which you are allergic. In the event that the discomfort does not subside after taking a mild medication, or if the medication does not provide relief, do not hesitate to call our office.

After tooth preparation it is possible that your prepared teeth could be sensitive to temperature, certain foods or sweets. This is in part due to the fact that the temporary does not fit your mouth like your final crown. This does not happen in every case.

Unlike your final veneers, which are bonded individually, the temporary “Trial Smile” veneers are connected together to help keep them in place. Since they are not permanently bonded, they are subject to leakage. This may cause staining at the gum line. To decrease or avoid this, a brush-tip syringe has been given to you. Fill the syringe with peroxide. Using a light scrubbing action along the gum line, clean the edges of the temporary veneers while flushing with peroxide. A second, curved-tip syringe has been supplied to flush between your teeth, where you cannot floss. You can use warm water or peroxide. Be sure to lean over a sink while flushing to avoid getting wet.

Please inform us if the restoration feels “high” to your bite. If it seems that the restoration contacts before your other teeth when you chew or close, or contacts heavier than your other teeth, it can make the tooth sensitive.

It is advisable to refrain from eating until you are no longer numb. You may however, eat or drink anything that does not require chewing. Certain foods will stick to the temporary veneers. So please refrain from chewing gum or other candies or foods that might stick to them—or even pull them out. Do not bite anything directly – especially ice, crunchy or hard foods. Do not use your front teeth as a tool to open sealed packages, etc. for any reason.

Temporary veneers are not strong. They may occasionally break or come off. If this should happen to you please contact our office immediately, bring your temporary veneers with you and we will replace them. Should you be unable to contact us, simply go to a pharmacy and get some Fixodent (denture adhesive). Replace the temporary crown on your tooth using the Fixodent to hold it in place until you can contact us.

Caution: If the temporary crown seems as though it will not stay in place securely, do not wear it when you sleep.

Your gum tissue may be tender for a short time after treatment. Keep them as clean as possible to avoid further irritation. It is advisable to soak the area with warm salt water (one quarter to one half teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water). Hold a mouthful at a time for five seconds on the gum area and spit out. Repeat this with the rest of the salt water. Warm salt-water soaks should be done at least twice daily for a minimum of five days, but doing this each day until you return is better. Occasionally, a small amount of unhealthy or excessive gum tissue may have been removed with a laser. If so, do not disturb the area for eight (8) hours, except for salt water rinsing as explained above. It is okay to use the brush-tip syringe with peroxide at any time. After eight hours period, gentle brushing is recommended.

Do not brush too vigorously around your temporary veneers. Remember it is important to keep the area clean—but use caution and a gentle touch. You will not be able to floss between the temporary veneers since they are attached together. You can, however, flush with the syringe and/or rinse.
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FINAL VENEERS
Your final porcelain veneers have been tried in, adjusted and bonded. These restorations were placed with the finest materials and techniques available today. However, you should be aware of the following information about your restorations:

For a short time, perhaps one to two weeks, you will go through an adjustment period as you "get use to" your "new" teeth, especially if they have been changed in size, shape or position. It will take your brain some time to recognize the new position of your teeth or their new shape as being “normal”.

Veneers are strong, but avoid biting foods or objects that would break even natural teeth. Examples would be pistachio nuts, hard candy, chicken or rib bones, or opening things with your teeth.

Avoid heavy, frequent alcohol consumption. If you consume large quantities of alcohol daily, the alcohol tends to dissolve bonding or the composite luting material that holds the porcelain to the tooth. Moderate amounts won't have a noticeable effect. Beware, also, of alcohol-containing mouthwashes. Read the list of ingredients on any mouthwash.

If you grind your teeth or clench your jaws you will likely need a night guard to minimize the stress that you place on your teeth and to lengthen the life of your veneers. Brush with a fluoride-containing toothpaste and floss before bedtime
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