TEMPORARY CROWNS AND BRIDGES

Let’s review what you can expect after having a temporary crown placed at Markiewicz Dental of Mundelein.  Usually it takes more than one appointment to complete a crown or bridge. While the permanent restoration is being made, you will have a temporary restoration to protect your teeth.

For a few days, your tooth may feel sensitive to heat, cold, and pressure. The gums may be tender. We recommend you do a saltwater rinse (mix one teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of water). To alleviate discomfort, you can take Advil or Tylenol as directed on the bottle. Avoid eating anything hard, chewy, or sticky, as this could pull off the temporary or break it. You should brush and floss carefully to prevent the temporary from coming off. If the temporary does come off, put a small amount of Vaseline inside of it and try to put it back in place. Contact us as soon as possible so the temporary can be recemented. It must be kept in place to keep the tooth from moving.

We are carefully creating your permanent restoration utilizing advanced materials. Once we place the permanent restoration, you can brush and floss as normal. It is common to have some sensitivity for a week or two.

As with any procedure, if your pain or sensitivity persists, or if you have any questions, please call our office.

As with any procedure, if your pain or sensitivity persists, or if you have any questions, please call our office.

ROOT CANALS

At Markiewicz Dental of Mundelein, we have taken every effort to make your root canal treatment comfortable.  Some soreness and pain are likely for several days following treatment.  To reduce the discomfort, avoid eating for several hours until the numb feeling from the anesthetic wears off.  Avoid eating hard foods after treatment, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth.  You can take Advil or Tylenol as needed. If  antibiotics were prescribed, keep taking them as directed even if you have no signs of infection.

The last step of root canal treatment is crown placement. A crown protects the tooth from decay and fracture.

If your bite feels high after treatment or pain persists, please contact the office.

FILLINGS

At Markiewicz Dental of Mundelein, we make every effort to make your dental treatment as comfortable as possible.  Your tooth has been restored using a tooth-colored filling. The resin or plastic used in the filling consists of small particles of glass-like material which makes the restoration durable. With proper care, your restoration can last for several years.

You should avoid chewing foods that are very hard, such as ice or hard candy, because the resin material could break. Composite fillings typically set right away, so there is no need to wait to eat. However, be mindful that your mouth will feel numb until the anesthetic wears off. Be careful not to chew or bite on your lip, cheek, or tongue, as this can injure the tissue.

For a few weeks, the tooth with the filling will usually have heat, cold, and pressure sensitivity. Typically, the deeper the cavity, the more sensitive the tooth will be. The injection sites for the anesthetic shots will also be sore. To alleviate the pain, we recommend taking Advil or Tylenol as directed on the bottle.

Be mindful that the shape of your restoration may be a little different and have a different texture than your original tooth. You will get used to this difference in a few days.

As with any procedure, if your pain or sensitivity persists, or if you have any questions, please call our office.

SCALING AND ROOT PLANING

After scaling and root planing, you should experience fewer symptoms of gum disease. You can keep your gums healthy by practicing a daily oral hygiene regimen and receiving regular professional dental care. Please keep the following guidelines in mind:

FULL DENTURES AND PARTIAL DENTURES

At Markiewicz Dental of Mundelein, we strive to provide the best denture possible.  Here are some instructions to help you adjust to the new denture and how to care for them.  Though you are wearing full dentures, it is still essential for you to take good care of your mouth. Prior to putting in your dentures, brush your tongue, gums and palate every morning using a soft-bristled brush. This helps eliminate plaque and stimulates circulation in your tissues.

After receiving dentures, you may develop sore spots. If this happens, please call us. Be sure to wear your dentures at night the first week.

Proper denture care is essential to the durability of your dentures and the overall health of your mouth.

CARE AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR NIGHT GUARD/BITE SPLINT

 POINTS TO REMEMBER

 USE OF YOUR NIGHT GUARD

    • Keep it clean: Brush with toothpaste (or liquid hand soap) and warm water
    • Keep it safe: Store in container when not wearing
    • Do not: Expose it to heat that may distort shape
    • Do not boil in water
    • Do not leave in hot, sun-exposed area
    • Your night guard is an appliance custom fit to your teeth only
    • You must wear your night guard often in order to keep your teeth aligned in a stable position
    • Failure to wear your night guard may result in excessive wear and/or fracture of your teeth that may require extensive dental work to repair
    • Failing to regularly wear your night guard may result in drifting of your teeth to a degree that your night guard will no longer fit properly
    • Your night guard will eventually wear thin, chip, or break and will need replacement
    • Please bring your night guard with you to most future dental appointments so that it may be inspected by the dentist
    • Please call our office if you experience any pain or discomfort from your night guard.

EXTRACTIONS

After a tooth extraction at Markiewicz Dental of Mundelein, please follow these guidelines to promote faster healing and to prevent complications:

Your tongue, lips and cheek will feel numb for several hours afterward. During this time, be careful not to chew or bite in those areas, as this can cause injury to the soft tissue.

A missing tooth can make it difficult to chew food, cause your teeth to shift, and other problems. You will need an implant, fixed bridge, removable partial, or denture to ensure long-term dental health.

Call our office if you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain or swelling, or if you have any questions or concerns.

IMPLANT PLACEMENT

Although some discomfort is expected after an implant is placed, the procedure is typically less painful than anticipated. Taking the prescriptions prescribed can effectively relieve any discomfort. Your sutures will dissolve on their own unless you are informed we need to remove them. Please keep the following guidelines in mind:

BONE GRAFT MATERIALS FOR SOCKET PRESERVATION

Many times bone grafting is done at the time of extraction. The source of bone graft material is of bovine (cow) origin and should not be used in individuals with cow/dairy sensitivities. We will place a covering over the bone graft using either a non-resorbable Teflon wafer, commonly known as a Teflon barrier, which is man-made. The wafer will be removed in four weeks. The other option is a medical grade resorbable wafer, typically known as a collagen membrane or barrier, which is made from the Achilles tendon of a cow. The barrier keeps the bone graft material in place.

Dental implants can last for decades when given proper care. Be sure to call us if you have any questions or concerns.

If you experience any problems, contact our office immediately.

  • Any pain or discomfort should be minimal and usually subsides a few hours after treatment or within a few days. You can take Tylenol to relieve discomfort.
  • Your teeth will be sensitive to hot and cold foods or drinks, as well as sweets. This should last only a few days. If tooth sensitivity persists or becomes severe, please call the office.
  • You may have some bleeding while brushing, but this should subside.
  • Avoid eating until the local anesthetic wears off. Afterward, do not eat hard foods such as meat or raw vegetables for a few days after treatment. A soft food diet is recommended until chewing becomes more comfortable.
  • Rinse your mouth using PerioGard® or CloSYS. You can also do a saltwater rinse. We recommend you use either of the rinses for one to two weeks.
  • If your gums are tender following treatment, brush gently. You should be able to resume your normal hygiene regimen within a few days.
    • After an extraction, a blood clot usually forms in the extracted tooth’s socket to stop bleeding and to protect the exposed jaw bone. Typically applying pressure to the socket using a piece of gauze is all that is needed to cause a clot to form. Your sutures will be removed in three to five days. Don’t disturb the wound. This may cause bleeding and infection. If bleeding persists, please call the office.
    • Avoid smoking for 48-72 hours after your extraction. Smoking can have an adverse effect on the healing process, and can cause bleeding and a dry socket. A dry socket is usually painful.
    • Do not spit or use a straw for drinking. This may cause bleeding and dislodge the blood clot.
    • Do not use mouthwash. In fact, you shouldn’t rinse your mouth for at least 24 hours after the extraction. Rinsing may cause bleeding or dislodge the blood clot. After 24 hours, we recommend you do a saltwater rinse. Rinse your mouth gently after eating.
    • Some bleeding is normal. If bleeding persists or you notice an unusual amount, place a piece of moist gauze or a teabag over the extraction site and bite down on it for 15 minutes.
    • After the extraction, the treatment area needs to be kept clean to prevent infection and promote healing. However, for three to four days after the procedure, avoid brushing the extraction site directly.
    • Instead, we recommend you gently wipe the area using a clean, wet gauze or cloth. This prevents the blood clot from dislodging. After three to four days, you can begin carefully brushing the teeth around the extraction site and flossing gently.
    • Be mindful of swelling. For the first 12-24 hours, place a cold towel or ice pack on the facial area of the extraction site to prevent swelling. Apply the ice pack for 10-20 minutes on and 10-20 minutes off, for an hour, or longer if needed.
    • Eat soft foods, such as Jell-O, pudding, yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, etc. for the first 24-48 hours after your extraction. Do not eat spicy foods. They can irritate the extraction site.
    • Do not drink carbonated beverages for three to four days after your procedure.
    • You can eat once the numbness wears off, but be sure to chew on the opposite side of your mouth to keep food away from the extraction site.
    • Limit your activities and do not vigorously exercise for the first 24 hours after the extraction. Avoid bending over and lifting heavy objects for two to three days.
    • It is normal to experience swelling after implant surgery. To reduce swelling, place an ice pack or a towel filled with ice on the facial area of the surgery site. Apply the ice pack continuously, as needed for the first 36 hours following surgery.
    • It is normal to have some bleeding for at least 24 hours. If you experience an excessive amount of bleeding, we recommend you place a piece of gauze over the surgery area and bite down on it for 30 minutes. If bleeding persists, please call us.
    • After surgery you should drink plenty of fluids and eat only soft foods. Do not drink hot beverages. You can resume your normal diet the day after surgery, unless otherwise directed.
    • Begin taking pain medication as soon as the local anesthetic wears off. To relieve moderate pain, we recommend you take one to two Tylenol or extra strength Tylenol every three to four hours. You can take Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) instead of Tylenol. Over-the-counter Ibuprofen tablets are often 200 mg. You can take two to three of these tablets every three to four hours as needed. For severe pain, take the medication prescribed for you as directed.
    • Take your antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
    • Proper oral hygiene is essential to promote healing. On the night of your surgery, remember to use the oral rinse prescribed for you. On the day after surgery, use the rinse after breakfast and before bed. Rinse for at least 30 seconds. Be sure to do a saltwater rinse (mix one teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of water) four to five times a day, especially after eating. We will give you a brush to clean the area around the implant. Initially, brush gently around the treatment area.
    • Limit your activities and do not vigorously exercise for the first 24 hours after surgery. Avoid bending over and lifting heavy objects for two to three days.
    • Do not wear your partial or full dentures for at least 10 days following surgery.