Request Request an Appointment Call Call Us Map View Map
4600 Sunrise Hwy Massapequa Park, NY 11762 (516) 798-3808
Request an Appointment

Postoperative Instructions

Following an extensive dental procedure, our patients often have questions about what symptoms they can expect and how they can make their healing process as smooth and discomfort-free as possible. While our doctors and team members will always be sure to cover this important information in the practice, we also offer online post-operative instructions for your convenience below. If you are ever experiencing excessive pain and/or bleeding following treatment, contact us immediately!

Crown & Bridge, Crowns, Inlays, or Onlays

  • You will wear temporary restorations until your permanent restoration is made.
  • If your temporary falls off or breaks, save the pieces and call our office. Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.
  • Sensitivity to cold and heat, as well as any soreness, should go away in a few days.
  • Brush gently and floss carefully for the first few days

Deep Teeth Cleaning

  • Sensitivity to cold and heat will subside after a few days.
  • Do not chew or eat until the numbness subsides.
  • Brush and floss as usual. Your gums may bleed a bit for a few days, but this is normal.

Using New Dentures

  • It is normal to experience some discomfort and speech problems while getting used to your new dentures. New dentures need several adjustments to fit comfortably. To help with speech, read aloud for a few minutes every day. Your mouth will adjust, and your speech will improve.
  • Remove your dentures every night to allow your gums to rest. Keep the denture in a container of water or denture cleaner.
  • Thoroughly brush your dentures with water before wearing them. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush.

Extractions

  • For an hour after surgery, you should place pressure on the gauze pad covering the extraction site. If bleeding continues, apply a new gauze pad and pressure for an additional 45 minutes.
  • After surgery, place a cold compress on your face near the extraction site for 10 minutes. Remove for 5 minutes. Repeat.
  • Do not eat or drink hot foods and beverages after surgery.
  • Do not rinse your mouth.
  • Do not use a straw.
  • Do not spit.
  • Do not drink carbonated beverages.
  • Do not brush your teeth on the day of the surgery. The next day, resume normal home care, gently brushing and flossing.
  • Bruising, swelling, and pain are normal – particularly if you have had a wisdom tooth extraction. Take your prescribed medication and use a cold compress on your face to manage them.
  • Plan to eat soft foods, such as soups, milk shakes, fruit juice, and yogurt, for 2-3 days.
  • Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.

Fillings

  • For an hour following your visit, do not chew. Wait until the numbness subsides before eating. If you have had amalgam fillings placed, do not chew for 24 hours.
  • Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.
  • Sensitivity to cold and heat, as well as any soreness, should go away in a few days.

Gum Surgery

  • Pain, swelling, and bleeding are normal following gum surgery. A cold compress should be placed on your face near the surgical site for 10 minutes at a time, with 5 minutes off, the day of your surgery. This will reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding.
  • Take your prescribed medications as instructed.
  • You should keep your appointments for follow-up visits with your dentist.
  • Do not raise your lips and probe the area with your fingers.
  • Do not brush your teeth near the sutures. However, you should brush and floss the rest of your teeth as you normally would.
  • You may experience loss of sensation at the surgical site, and nearby teeth may feel loose for a while.
  • Do not spit or use a straw the day of your procedure. Avoid smoking for a few days.

Implant Surgery

  • Pain, swelling, and bleeding are normal following oral surgery. A cold compress should be placed on your face near the surgical site for 10 minutes at a time, with 5 minutes off, the day of your surgery. This will reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding.
  • Take your prescribed medications as instructed.
  • You should keep your appointments for follow-ups with your dentist.
  • Do not raise your lips and probe the area with your fingers.
  • Do not brush your teeth near the sutures. However, you should brush and floss the rest of your teeth as you normally would.
  • Do not spit or use a straw the day of your procedure. Avoid smoking for a few days.

Root Canal Treatment

  • Sensitivity should subside after a few days.
  • Take your prescribed medication as directed.
  • Because a temporary filling will be on the tooth, do not bite hard for one hour after your appointment. Once the permanent filling is in place, chew carefully on the opposite side of your mouth.
  • Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.
  • Sensitivity to cold and heat, as well as any soreness, should go away in a few days.
  • Brush and floss gently.

If you experience any pain or bleeding that lasts more than a week after your procedure, please be sure to contact us immediately. If you have any questions about your post-operative care, be sure to let us know as well.