Post-Operative Instructions

• Bite on gauze with firm pressure for 30-40 minutes
• Change gauze at 30-40 minute increments until bleeding has stopped
• No heavy spitting
• Avoid hard, crunchy, foods such as pretzels, nachos and potato chips
• Do not drink from straw
• Rinse with warm salt water as instructed in the office starting in 24 hours
• Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen medication as directed by package
• Place tooth under pillow for tooth fairy

1- Do not eat on your new filling until your numbness is gone. There is no restrictions on tooth colored composite fillings once the numbness is gone .

2- If you are supervising children who had fillings done, make sure they don’t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).

3- You may experience cold and heat sensitivity and some gum soreness; this usually subsides within a few days but can last several months.

4- Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort especially when chewing, you may need the bite checked and possibly adjusted.

5- Please do not hesitate to call our office if you have any questions?

Composite Fillings

1- Crowns and bridges usually take 2 or 3 appointments to complete. On the first appointment, the tooth/teeth are prepared, impressions are taken, and a temporary crown is placed on your tooth/teeth. 2- You may experience sensitivity, gum soreness, and slight discomfort on the tooth/teeth; it should subside after the placement of the permanent crown(s). 3- Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.

4- A temporary crown is usually made of plastic-based material or soft metal. It can break if too much pressure is placed on it. The crown may also come off; if it does, save the crown and call our office. The temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth and prevent other teeth from moving. If it comes off it should be replaced as soon as possible. To avoid losing your temporary, do not chew on sticky or hard food (chewing gum, ice). Try to chew on the opposite side of the temporary as much as possible.

5- Continue your normal brushing but be careful while flossing around the temporaries (remove the floss gently from the side). If it is difficult to get the floss between the temporary and surrounding teeth, refrain from flossing until you receive your permanent crown.

6- After the permanent restoration is placed you may feel slight pressure for a few days. Also, the bite may feel different for a day or two. But if after 2-3 days the bite still feels uneven or if you feel discomfort when chewing on the tooth, call our office. Delaying the necessary adjustments may damage the tooth permanently.

7- Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions. Dental Crowns

1- You may experience moderate pain and sensitivity to pressure on your tooth. Also, you may feel gum soreness for few days after your treatment. The healing process may take several days but the pain and discomfort should subside gradually. 2- Take any medication that was prescribed for you according to instructions. 3- Usually a temporary filling has been placed on your tooth; do not bite on the tooth for one hour and while you are numb. Also, until the permanent restoration is placed, be very gentle with the tooth. Try to chew with the opposite side. 4- Continue your brushing and flossing. 5- Follow up with the placement of your permanent restoration as you have been advised. Any unnecessary delay in placement of final restoration may damage the tooth permanently. 6- Call our office if you are in severe pain or experience swelling, or if you have any questions. Root Canal Treatment

1- You may experience some cold and heat sensitivity (especially after deep cleaning). 2- If you have received anesthesia do not eat anything until the numbness has worn off. 3- Continue your regular brushing and flossing. 4- Some bleeding for a day or two after cleaning is normal, but if you experience any excessive bleeding call our office. 5- Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.

Congratulations on completing your Invisalign treatment! Although you have completed wearing your Invisalign trays, you must continue to wear a retainer to prevent your teeth from shifting. Tooth ligaments are like bridge cables, constantly adjusting to change. It takes approximately 6-12 months for the periodontal ligaments to stabilize. A recommended retainer wearing schedule would be as follows: The first 6 months wear your retainers same as your aligners, day and night The next 9 months nights only The next 18 months 3 nights a week (if not stable, nightly wear maybe required) After that period of time, ongoing as needed Ultimately, it is recommended to wear your retainers for a life-time. The first 6-12 months of retainer wear is especially critical in maintaining and stabilizing your teeth to avoid shifting. The goal is to decrease the time retainers are needed. Please keep in mind that each individual case is different, retainer wear may vary depending on habits, shifting, etc. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office at 610.594.9723 or email drlisa@drpedrick.com. Retainer Wear:

• Remove when eating
  • Retainer not designed to be worn while eating/chewing foods, this can lead to the retainer breaking
• Must take out when drinking fluids that may cause staining
  • Coffee, Tea, Red wine
  • Leaving retainers in will cause more stain to your teeth and to retainer
  • May cause increased decay rate if left in while consuming food and drink
• Nighttime wear is recommended

Tips for cleaning retainers: We recommend using:

• Denture cleaning tablets (Efferdent or Polident) -use as directed on manufacturing packaging
• Retainer Brite-available on-line or at the office
• Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
  • ½ Hydrogen Peroxide, ½ water
  • Place retainers into container with solution for approximately 15 minutes

1- You will experience some discomfort with any new denture for a few days. All new dentures need several adjustments to completely and comfortably fit your mouth.

2- You should take the dentures out every night and keep them in a clean container filled with water or denture cleaning solution. Your gums need to rest and be without the dentures every day for a period of time.

3- Clean dentures thoroughly with a brush and water before putting them back in your mouth.

4- It may be difficult to talk normally with the new dentures for a few days. One way to practice is to read a book or newspaper out loud for a period of time everyday. Your tongue and muscles will get used to the new dentures and you will talk normally very soon.

5- Call our office if you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or if you have any questions.

• DO NOT: touch, press, rub or manipulate the implanted areas for the rest of the day after treatment. Avoid kissing, puckering and sucking movements for the rest of the day as these motor movements can undesirably displace the implanted dermal filler material. You can cause irritation, sores, and/or problems, and possible scarring if you do.
• AVOID: Aspirin, Motrin, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Flax Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A., Vitamin E, or other essential fatty acids at least 3 days after treatment; Alcohol, caffeine, niacin supplement, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, refined carbohydrates (you may eat fruit), spicy foods, and cigarettes 24-48 hours after your treatment; Vigorous exercise and sun and heat exposure for 3 days after treatment.
• DISCONTINUE: Retin 2 days after treatment. It is best to wear no makeup or lipstick until the next day. Earlier use can cause pustules. One side may heal faster than the other side.

You can expect some bruising and swelling around the areas that were injected. Apply ice for the first hour after treatment for ten minutes on and ten minutes off. You must wait 2 weeks before any enhancements. Please report any redness, blisters, or itching immediately if it occurs after treatment. Facial Esthetics

• Before applying bleaching gel brush teeth.
  • Brushing before bleaching will help to remove surface debris and plaque
  • If you do not have a toothbrush readily available, use a warm water rinse
• Carefully place a small amount of gel into bleaching tray
  • One small drop at each tooth
    • About the size of a head of a straight pin
• Place tray in mouth
  • Expectorate (spit) any excess gel that squeezes out of tray OR
  • Take Q-tip and gently rub excess off of gums
  • To avoid excess gel in the tray, adjust the amount next use
• Leave trays in for instructed amount of time
  • Rev: 15 minutes
  • Bleach only 1 time per day
    • Most people reach their desired tooth shade in approximately 10-12 days.
• Do not eat or drink while bleaching or with trays in mouth
• Do not smoke
• Do not eat, drink or smoke 1 hour after bleaching
  • The teeth are porous after bleaching, any colorful foods or drinks can stain the teeth defeating the purpose of bleaching session.
• Be sure to rinse trays after each use and allow trays to air dry
  • Store trays in a safe place, as they are attractive to pets as toys
• Some people experience cold sensitivity. This is transient and can be relieved with over-the-counter desensitizing pastes (Sensodyne)
  • If sensitivity persists and becomes too intense you can call the office and we can call a fluoride prescription into your pharmacy or you can stop in the office for Control Rx fluoride paste.

The guidelines to follow post treatment have been followed for years, and are still employed today to prevent the possible side effects of ptosis (drooping of the eyelids). These measures should minimize the possibility of ptosis. No straining, heavy lifting, vigorous exercise for 3-4 hours following treatment. It is now known that it takes the toxin approximately 2 hours to bind itself to the nerve to start its work, and because we do not want to increase circulation to that are to wash away the Botox® from where it was injected. Avoid manipulation of area for 3-4 hours following treatment. (For the same reasons listed above.) This includes not doing a facial peel or microdermabrasion after treatment with Botox®. Stay out of the sun for approximately four (4) hours following Botox treatment. It can take 2-10 days to take full effect. It is recommended that the patient schedule an appointment no later than 2 weeks after treatment. Enhancements (additional units of Botox®) can be administered if needed at same unit charge as original treatment. Make-up may be applied before leaving the office