Surrey Place Dental Group in Surrey

Post-op Instructions

These instructions are just a general guideline for extractions, implants and gum surgery. As every case is unique, please follow any other recommended instructions given by your dental professional.

Before your surgery, you were given and anesthetic to ensure your comfort. This anaesthetic typically leaves your lips, teeth and tongue feeling numb after the appointment. For this reason, you should avoid any chewing for two hours following surgery, or until the numbness has worn off completely.

1. Apply an ice pack – 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off – for 2 hours following surgery to decrease pain and swelling.

2. Keep your fingers and tongue away from the parts of your gums that were affected by the surgery.

3. Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery. Twenty-four hours after surgery, you can rinse gently with mouthwash or a warm salt water solution; dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water and gently swish, then carefully spit (4-5 times per day is sufficient).
4. It’s normal to experience some discomfort for a few days following surgery. To avoid nausea, don’t take pain medication on an empty stomach.
5. If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infections are gone.
6. Relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities for the first 24 hours following surgery.
7. Once the numbness has worn off, you should eat. Nourishment is important to the healing process. Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, soft soups, ice cream, or soft-cooked eggs for the first 48 hours.
8. Drink at least 8 large glasses of water or fruit juice each day.
9. Before your surgery, you were given and anesthetic to ensure your comfort. This anaesthetic typically leaves your lips, teeth and tongue feeling numb after the appointment. For this reason, you should avoid any chewing for two hours following surgery, or until the numbness has worn off completely.
10. Apply an ice pack – 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off – for 2 hours following surgery to decrease pain and swelling.
11. Keep your fingers and tongue away from the parts of your gums that were affected by the surgery.
12. Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery. Twenty-four hours after surgery, you can rinse gently with mouthwash or a warm salt water solution; dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water and gently swish, then carefully spit (4-5 times per day is sufficient).
13. It’s normal to experience some discomfort for a few days following surgery. To avoid nausea, don’t take pain medication on an empty stomach.
14. If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infections are gone.
15. Relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities for the first 24 hours following surgery.
16. Once the numbness has worn off, you should eat. Nourishment is important to the healing process. Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, soft soups, ice cream, or soft-cooked eggs for the first 48 hours.
17. Drink at least 8 large glasses of water or fruit juice each day.
18. Keep your head elevated with pillows to control bleeding. We will give you a supply of gauze sponges to place over the bleeding area; change them as necessary, and use them until the bleeding stops completely. You can also bite gently but firmly on a moist tea bag for 20 minutes if bleeding continues.
19. Call our office if bleedings persist or increases.
20. Continue cleaning the other areas of your mouth, flossing daily and brushing at least twice a day as you would normally.

21. The dressing will fall off in 24 to 48 hours.

It is normal to experience hot/cold sensitivity on the area treated

Crowns

Over time, our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, discolouration and wear. If you feel that your smile isn’t what it once was, crowns can help you recover your smile. If your dentist notices that a tooth is decayed or seems weakened/cracked, a crown may be necessary to make sure that there are no additional problems with the tooth. In cases like this, a filling or bonding will not be sufficient. Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, zirconia, or a full gold crown. A consultation with the dentist is the first step to determine what would be the best option for your particular needs.

When you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back. Crowns are durable and will usually last about 10-15 years.

The process of a crown takes two visits to the dentist. On the first visit, the tooth will be reshaped by filing down the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. You will be given a local anesthetic so that you do not experience any discomfort. Sometimes, if the tooth was broken or the inside of the tooth was compromised, a new filing will be put in to ensure a solid foundation for the crown to sit on. This is called a build up. Once the tooth has been reshaped, an impression will be taken of that tooth and surrounding teeth. This impression will be sent to a dental lab so that your new custom crown can be made. Before leaving the dental office, we will fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.

The crown takes one week to be returned to your dentist. At this time, you will have another appointment to place and fit the permanent crown. You will again have local anesthetic to numb the area, and the crown will be placed using a cement to ensure that it sets in place. When you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back. Crowns are durable and will usually last about 10-15 years. You should care for it as you would for your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing.

Dentures and Partial Dentures

Dentures are a way to replace missing teeth that could be lost due to trauma, decay or advanced gum disease. The main benefit is that you will have a set of fully functioning teeth that are custom fit to you. Today’s dentures are more natural looking and comfortable. Dental technology has advanced with the use of new materials, which means a vastly improved set of dentures. There are two main types of dentures- full and partial. Both types are made in a lab, based on a mold of your mouth.

Traditional Dentures: This is when all the teeth have been removed and the tissue is given time to heal before a full denture is placed. The healing time is usually 6-8 weeks before the gingiva is fully healed. During this time you would be without teeth. This method has not been used as much in recent years.

Immediate Full Dentures: Prior to having your teeth extracted, your dentist will take measurements to have dentures fitted for your mouth. After removing the teeth, the dentures are immediately placed. After the appointment, usually dentures will be left in your mouth, undisturbed, for 24-48 hours. After that time, you will need a follow up visit with your dentist to access your healing progress. Adjustments to your denture over the next 4-6 weeks are typical and expected as the mouth heals.

Partial Dentures: This option is available when all teeth do not need to be extracted. A partial denture can replace multiple missing teeth if other options are not feasible.

Invisible Braces – A Clear Alternative!

Invisalign is a new system of straightening teeth using a custom made series of aligners created for you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and transparent plastic that you simply wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist has planned for you. There are no wires, metal, or brackets. Aligners are removable, so you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth. You simply pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is completed and you achieve the confident smile that you always wanted. Invisalign is recommended for orthodontic situations with mild to moderate spacing or crowding.

Porcelain Veneer

A porcelain veneer is an ultra-thin layer of ceramic material, which is placed over a tooth surface to create a new smile. This procedure requires a little anesthesia, and can be an ideal choice for teeth that appear too small or large, slightly discolored, or simply not cosmetically pleasing to the patient. For many patients, teeth may have been chipped, became discolored, or slightly cracked. For the majority of these patients, porcelain veneers can prove to be a perfect solution.

This procedure requires a little anesthesia, and can be an ideal choice for teeth that appear too small or large, slightly discoloured, or simply not cosmetically pleasing to the patient.

When placing porcelain veneers, we pay close attention to the patient’s surrounding teeth and the design of each veneer to complement the overall smile. Generally, only 0.3-0.7mm needs to be removed from the surface of your tooth. The veneer is then made and bonded to the tooth. The result is a beautiful and attractive new smile.

Root Canal Treatment

Root Canal, or endodontic therapy, is the process of removing infected tissue from the roots of the tooth. A root canal is often done to save a tooth that has a damaged nerve that is no longer viable. When bacteria enter your tooth through deep cavities, cracked or flawed fillings, your tooth can become abscessed. An abscessed tooth is a tooth with an infection in the “nerve” or pulp. If the pulp becomes infected, it needs to be removed. An abscessed tooth may cause pain or swelling. Dentist will notice the infection from a dental x-ray or from other changes with the tooth. If left untreated, an abscessed tooth can cause oral health problems.

A root canal is often done to save a tooth that has a damaged nerve that is no longer viable.

The Process

This first step of the procedure is to anesthetize the area. The next step is to open an access point through the top or biting surface of the tooth. Each canal is then cleaned and shaped in preparation for the filling material. Once each canal is prepared, it is filled with an inert material called gutta percha–the canals are then sealed. The tooth is now ready for restoration, which is usually a crown. The entire procedure is often completed in one or two visits.

Signs / Symptoms for a Root Canal

1. Moderate to severe lingering toothache pain when drinking hot or cold liquids or food
2. Moderate to severe pain when biting on a tooth
3. Sensitivity to tapping or pressure on the tooth
4. Toothache that wakes you up in the middle of the night
5. An abscess on your gum may release pus or blood