Patient After Care

With any medical procedure, there are certain things you can do (and not do) to give yourself the best chance of a successful procedure or treatment. Below, you can choose the specific treatment that you have done to read the follow up post treatment care. As an addition to any of these, if you do feel as though something is not right, please don't hesitate to call us. We want to see your treatment succeed as much as you do, and if there is something small or simple we can do to assist with this, we would love to nip it in the (tooth)bud whilst you are healing.

Post Treatment Care

Please click on the link below that relates to the treatment that you have had.

Dental Fillings

Fillings After Care

Congratulations on your new fillings! And well done on having your teeth looked after! Here are some pointers to help you out.

What is normal to expect after a filling:

A bit of tenderness where the numbing went in the gum, and the gum around the tooth
A bit of sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days
Numbness to last a few hours. Please be very careful not to have anything to eat that requires chewing whilst you’re numb because you may accidentally bite your lip/cheek/tongue! You also cannot feel temperature well so avoid extra hot food/drinks. It’s definitely OK to have water and soft things to eat that do not require chewing (e.g yoghurt/smoothie/ warm soup etc)

Sometimes after a filling the tooth is a bit stressed - let us know ASAP if you encounter any of these symptoms after your numbness wears off (usually 2-3 hours – few days after):

If your bite doesn’t feel right
If your tooth is sore to bite on
If your tooth is sore and you need pain killers for the pain, or it’s keeping you awake at night

Please get in touch if you have any questions or need to see us again!

For an in depth look at fillings at the procedure including a video with Dr Carla, please visit our fillings page

DentalFilligs

Extractions

Well done on your extraction!

The following are some pointers to help you recover from your extraction as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Your bleeding is now under control. However, continue to bite down on the gauze pad for 20 minutes. If bleeding continues use a new gauze pad to keep pressure on the socket. (Best to do this in front of a mirror to make sure you do not bite your lip and also to ensure the gauze is directly on the socket).
DO NOT rinse vigorously for the rest of the day.
Starting tomorrow, gently bathe your mouth with warm saltwater after every meal for 2-3 days. One half cup of warm water to ½ teaspoon of salt.
Avoid smoking and alcohol for the next 48 hours.
It is normal to experience discomfort, bruising and swelling for up to 7 days after your extraction. Take painkillers as needed to manage any discomfort. However, please avoid Aspirin as this may make you bleed or bruise more. Also ensure you do not exceed maximum recommended doses of paracetamol as it is commonly combined with other medications in the same tablet.
Eat soft foods until you feel comfortable. Avoid small granular foods like rice and lentils for 48 hours.
Brush and floss teeth gently around the area for the next 24 hours.
Contact us ASAP on 9375 2177 if you experience fever, excessive swelling and pain, or if bleeding continues into tomorrow morning.

If pain is worsening after 3-4 days, please contact us ASAP.

We discuss some of the complications that can occur with extractions and also go into the topic of dental extractions more comprehensively on our dental extraction page.

Extractions

Dental Crowns

Congratulations on your new tooth crown!

Typically when a tooth requires a crown it has already had a lot of fillings / treatment in the past. Each time a tooth is drilled it can stress the tooth. It is normal to experience a bit of sensitivity for a couple of days. If the pain is getting worse, please let us know. If your tooth has had a root canal treatment, we would expect no temperature sensitivity.

What is normal to expect after a dental crown:

A bit of tenderness where the numbing injection went in the gum
The gum around the tooth - the gum often gets a bit squished and can be sore for a couple of days. Warm salt water rinses work great for helping sore gums
Mild sensitivity to hot and/or cold for a few days
Numbness that may last a few hours. Please be very careful not to accidentally bite your lip/cheek/tongue! You also cannot feel temperature where you are numb so avoid extra hot food/drinks. It’s OK to have water and soft things to eat that do not require chewing (e.g yoghurt/smoothie/ warm soup etc)

When to contact us:

If your bite doesn’t feel even, for example the crown feels too tall or bulky
If your tooth is sore to bite on
If your tooth is sore and you need pain killers for the pain, or it’s keeping you awake at night
The numbness hasn't gone away after 24 hours

If this is the first time you have had a crown inserted, you may want to check out our instructional video with Dr Carla and page on interdental brushes. Interdental brushes or piksters are what you should use to clean between your tooth and the crown.

Zoom! Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening

The following are instructions from the Phillips Zoom! consent document.

Some of the potential complications of this treatment include, but are not limited to:

1. Tooth Sensitivity/Pain – During the first 24 hours after Zoom treatment, some patients can experience
some tooth sensitivity or pain. This is normal and is usually mild, but it can be worse in susceptible
individuals. Normally, tooth sensitivity or pain following a Zoom treatment subsides within 24 hours,
but in rare cases can persist for longer periods of time in susceptible individuals. People with existing
sensitivity, recession exposing root surfaces, exposed dentin, untreated caries, cracked teeth,
abfractions , oral tissue injury, open cavities, leaking fillings, or other dental conditions that cause
sensitivity or allow higher penetration of the gel into the tooth may find that those condition increase
or prolong tooth sensitivity or pain after Zoom treatment.

2. Gum/Lip/Cheek Inflammation/Burn – Improper isolation during the whitening procedure may cause or
result in (i) inflammation of your gums, lips or cheek margins due to exposure of a small area of those
tissues to the whitening gel or the LED light, or (ii) a chemical burn due to whitening gel coming in
contact with soft tissue. The inflammation or burn is usually temporary and will subside in a few days,
but may persist longer and may result in significant pain or discomfort, depending on the degree to
which the soft tissues were exposed to the gel or LED light.

3. Dry/Chapped Lips – The Zoom treatment involves three, 15-minute sessions during which the mouth is
kept open continuously for the entire treatment by a plastic retractor which covers the lips. This could
result in dryness or chapping of the lips or cheek margins, which can be treated by application of lip
balm, petroleum jelly or Vitamin E oil.

4. Cavities or Leaking Fillings – Most dental whitening is indicated for the outside of the teeth, except for
patients who have already undergone a root canal procedure. If any open cavities or fillings that are
leaking and allowing gel to penetrate the tooth are present, significant pain could result.

5. Cervical Abrasion/Erosion – These are conditions which affect the roots of the teeth when the gums
recede and they are characterized by grooves, notches and/or depressions, that appear darker than the
rest of the teeth, where the teeth meet the gums. These areas appear darker because they lack the
enamel that covers the rest of the teeth. Even if these areas are not currently sensitive, they can allow
the whitening gel to penetrate the teeth, causing sensitivity. If cervical abrasion/
erosion exists on teeth, these areas will be covered with dental dam prior to Zoom treatment.

6. Relapse – After the Zoom treatment, it is natural for the teeth that underwent the Zoom treatment to
regress somewhat in their shading after treatment. This is natural and should be very gradual, but it can
be accelerated by exposing the teeth to various staining agents. Treatment usually involves wearing a
take-home tray or repeating the Zoom treatment. The results of the Zoom treatment
are not intended to be permanent and secondary, repeat or take-home treatments may be needed for
me to maintain the tooth shade.

Zoom! Whitening Post treatment care

1. Sensitivity

i. Tooth mousse - hopefully you will have been using Tooth Mousse twice daily for at least 2 weeks prior to your whitening procedure. This works well to reduce sensitivity during and after your procedure. You can continue using tooth mousse after your treatment

ii. Desensitizer - you will be given some Phillips Desensitizer to apply as you need to in the case of dental sensitivity. This sensitivity is generally referred to as 'zingers'.

iii. Avoiding highly acidic food and drink - such as vinegars, energy drinks, wine etc will help

2. Reducing relapse

i. Take home custom bleach trays and bleach - you will be given custom bleach trays and bleach to used for 2-3 days for 30mins to reduce the relapse of your whitening treatment

ii. Phillips Desensitizer - you will be

iii. Tooth Mousse

3. Reducing staining

i. 2 hours post treatment do not put anything in your mouth that would stain a white t-shirt! This includes tea, coffee, red wine, turmeric, beetroot, tomato sauce etc

ii. Long term minimising the contact the above foods and drinks have with your teeth will extend the effects of your whitening. If you consume them, try and rinse with un-carbonated water immediately afterwards

to see this procedure being done as a video with Dr Carla and for further information, please see our teeth whitening page.

Dental Implants

Congratulations on your dental implants!

Keep biting on the gauze immediately after surgery for 20-30 minutes to stop the bleeding. If bleeding persists place another gauze pad and bite down for an additional 30 minutes. Try to avoid continually changing the gauze as this will disturb the surgical site and may result in more bleeding.
If treatment has been completed under sedation or you have taken anti-anxiolytic medication such as Valium, a responsible adult will need to drive you home and accompany you for the rest of the day until you are fully recovered from the effects of the medication.
If your lip, tongue or cheek is numb, please take care not to bite it.
Swelling will occur and may involve the cheeks or even the entire face. This will gradually increase over the next few days before slowly subsiding.
Bruising of the cheeks and face may occur. It will appear purple/blue, then turn yellow before disappearing.
If you have a denture to wear, we will advise you when is best to wear it.
Do not rinse, spit or drink through a straw for at least 12 hours.
For the rest of the day following the surgery, do not eat or drink anything that is too hot or too hard. Maintain a soft food/liquid diet for a week and then slowly re-introduce hard foods as you feel more comfortable (eg. scrambled eggs, soup, and yoghurt).
If you are a smoker, do NOT smoke for at least one week following surgery as it may increase the risk of post-operative complications and result in implant failure (short-term and long-term). It is preferable to avoid smoking for 4 weeks.
After 24 hours you may gently soak your mouth with Savacol mouthwash (which is alcohol-free), or alternatively, with warm salt water (1 teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water). This can be done up to 5 times a day (or every 4-5 hours). Be careful not to rinse vigorously
After 24 hours you may gently brush the sutures/stitches with a very soft toothbrush to remove plaque build-up around the wound.
Avoid alcohol and strenuous physical activity for 24 hours or while you are on medication (if prescribed).
For the first evening’s sleep, rest your head on two pillows so that your head is slightly elevated. Cover the pillow in a towel to protect from staining if bleeding occurs overnight.
For pain relief, analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication can be prescribed. Certain medications will cause drowsiness and it is important not to drive or operate heavy machinery until fully recovered from the effects.
If excessive bleeding, pain, fever or severe swelling occurs in the days following your appointment please call us on 9375 2177.
Please ensure you have a post-operative appointment booked approximately 1-2 weeks following the surgery so Dr Graneri can assess the healing and remove the sutures.

If this is the first time you have had an implant inserted, you may want to check out our instructional video with Dr Carla on interdental brushes. Interdental brushes or piksters are what you should use to clean between your tooth and your dental implant. We also have a comprehensive page about gum care that we recommend having a look at.

Root Canal Treatment

Congratulations on getting through your stage of root canal treatment!

The aim of the root canal treatment is to keep your tooth once the nerve has died. The alternative to a root canal treatment is an extraction. For more information about root canals click here.

It is normal to have some discomfort for a couple of days after root canal treatment. it may be temperature sensitivity, soreness to biting, pain in the gums (from the fillings), or general achiness. This should be manageable with paracetamol. If you experience any worsening of your original symptoms, or find that pain killers are not helping, please get in touch with us on 9375 2177.

The tooth may need to be re cleaned and flushed with new medicine, or it may indicate something else is going on with the tooth - like a crack.

Veneers

Congratulations on getting your new veneers!

The following information is from our Dentista Full Mouth Rehabilitation Guide: For more information about full mouth rehabilitation aka 'Smile Makeover' click here, or for veneers click here.

The four main causes of damage to ‘Bonded’ restorations like your veneers are outlined below

1. Breaking

NOT RECOMMENDED to BITE with FRONT TEETH

Nails / pen biting
Sticky food such as toffees, minties, boiled lollies, crackling
Hard food such as chocolate, hard crusty bread, carrots (cut up and chew with back teeth)
Ripping plastic tags / anything that should be cut with scissors
- For example, if you eat hard sticky things like crackling, toffees, minties, or accidentally bite into something very hard like a fork or olive pip it is likely your restoration will break/fracture. We recommend cutting up food and chewing with your back teeth. This includes hard crusty bread and hard chocolate. Also, if you bite your nails or pens etc they can also severely damage your front teeth restorations and even pop them off! Once a restoration pops off it can be rebonded but never with the same strength. If you can use a knife/scissors to cut or open something use them instead not your teeth!

2. Weakened Bond

Your restorations are bonded (glued) to your teeth, acid in food and drink will dissolve the bond. So, it’s best to minimise the contact acidic food and drink makes with your teeth

ACIDIC FOOD and DRINK TO MINIMISE TIME and FREQUENCY in your MOUTH

Citrus drinks lemon, orange etc (including straight and diluted in water)
Any drink with bubbles (including SODA WATER, and of course soft drinks such as coke and pepsi)
Any sugar free drink (including coke zero, pepsi no sugar, GATORADE as they are usually very acidic)
Energy drinks (Mother, Red Bull etc even if they are ‘sugar free’)
Tea and coffee black or white
Wine, beer
Control gastric reflux where you can with medication/ diet / sleep posture
Lots of time exposure to chlorine / environmental acids

3. Decay

The ‘seam’ where your restorations meet your teeth is vulnerable to new decay. Minimise the treats (both sugary and acidic) and protect your teeth with x2 daily at home cleaning brushing and cleaning between your teeth with floss and or piksters, quality fluoridated products and 6 monthly checks and cleans with Dentista to pick up any problems early!

If you would like a demonstration on how to use piksters or how to floss you can see our instructional videos on flossing and how to use piksters.

4. Receding Gums

Some people are vulnerable to receding gums. When gums recede around a veneer, the part of the tooth that becomes exposed under the gum can be a different colour and shape to your restoration. Generally, this does not cause any weakening of the restoration, but can be an aesthetic issue. If the way it looks bothers you, you may elect to replace the restorations.

Everything ages and experiences wear and tear. The changes experienced in our mouths (similarly to those in the rest of our body) are more pronounced the younger we are. It is important to note that the younger you have dental treatment, the sooner it will need replacing. For example treatment for a 20 year old will need to be replaced sooner than the same treatment on a 60 year old.

5. Maintenance and Longevity

You will need to ensure you take excellent care of your teeth and gums to make sure the restorations stay strong, and you don’t get new decay underneath them. Remember that whatever broke/wore down your natural tooth structure can also break your restorations – which are never going to be as strong as your natural tooth!

We suggest you have 6 monthly checks and cleans with our very gentle Airflow – which will clean your teeth and gums thoroughly and no risk of chipping your new restorations. If you have not seen how the Airflow clean works please take a look at our video. Six monthly check-ups also ensure problems can be picked up early when they are easiest and least costly to fix. We also strongly recommend you wear your night guard every night.

Healthy Habits to Protect Your Teeth

Enjoy your life! Everything in moderation! Where possible to protect your teeth rinse with regular water, stay hydrated, chew sugar free chewing gum for a couple of minutes, use high fluoride tooth paste and or tooth mousse. It is also very helpful to clean your teeth thoroughly with an electric toothbrush for 2 minutes twice a day, and use appropriate aids to clean between your teeth. We have video on how to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush.

On average, porcelain restorations can last 10-17 years, and composite resin 3-5 years. The beauty of composite resin is that it can be easily added to and repaired. It’s important that your composite resin restorations are checked regularly for wear and tear and polished/repaired as necessary to keep your bite in balance.

6. Future Treatment Required

While every effort will have been made to restore your teeth to function for as long as possible, it is likely that future treatment will be required. Some treatments that may be required to teeth that have been restored are;

Repair / replacement of chipped restorations – composite is not as strong as porcelain and is likely to require replacement or repair. After 2 years you will be charged to repair/replace the restorations. Porcelain while it is stronger is not invincible and can also require replacement. After 5 years you will be charged to replace it.
Root canal therapy – if you get a toothache / abscess
Extraction – if you get a toothache / crack a tooth / severe gum disease that cannot be fixed. If a tooth needs to be extracted some replacement options are implants, bridges and dentures

Dental Bridge

Congratulations on your new bridge!

There may be general sensitivity and achiness of the teeth involved in the bridge and where the injections went in. These should be temporary and manageable with painkillers.

You need to get in touch if the bridge is sore to bite on, the bit feels too 'bulky' or pain killers are not providing sufficient relief. If this is the case please call us on 9375 2177

Cleaning: when you have your new bridge inserted we will show you how to clean around it using piksters and or superfloss. For a step by step video guide with Dr Carla on how to use piksters please click our pikster page

For further information on dental bridges, please see the section on bridges on our cosmetic page

Gum Grafting Surgery

POST OP-INSTRUCTIONS FOR GUM GRAFTING SURGERY

You have just had your gum graft surgery. To help it heal well please follow these instructions.

PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH OR LOOK AT AREA! Pulling gum down can rip sutures and undo all the work
No chewing on the side of your surgery for fist 10 days
Soft food first 10 days
Totally avoid hard and crunchy things/food
No brushing or flossing at surgical site for 2-3 weeks
NO BRUSHING BUT MUST KEEP CLEAN. Swab teeth with cotton tip in warm salt water.
We will remove sutures at 2-4wks.
Once sutures removed use extra soft manual toothbrush to gently cleanse area until we see you again
Cleaning appt at 4wks after suture removal

PLEASE ASK DR GRANERI IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THESE INSTRUCTIONS

MEDICATIONS AFTER GUM SURGERY

ANITBIOTICS: 500mg amoxicillin every 8 hours for 5 days. If you are allergic we will prescribe you an alternate antibiotic
IBUPROFEN:
PARACETAMOL:

Gum Grafting Surgery

Sinus Grafting Surgery

Sinus Grafting

GRAFTING Post-operative Instructions

WHAT TO DO AFTER SURGERY

Continue biting on the gauze immediately after surgery for a minimum of 30 minutes to stop the bleeding. If bleeding persists place another gauze pad and bite down for an additional 30 minutes. Try to avoid continually changing the gauze as this will disturb the surgical site and may result in more bleeding.
If treatment has been completed under sedation or you have taken anti-anxiolytic medication, a responsible adult will need to drive you home and accompany you for the rest of the day until you are fully recovered from the effects of the medication.
For pain relief, analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication can be prescribed by your dental professional. Certain medications will cause drowsiness and it is important not to drive or operate heavy machinery until fully recovered from the effects.
For the first evening’s sleep, rest your head on two pillows so that your head is slightly elevated. Cover the pillow in a towel to protect from staining if bleeding occurs overnight.
Use of ice packs in the first 24 hours will reduce the chance of swelling. Place ice packs on for 30 minute intervals for a few hours.
After 24 hours you may gently rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water). This can be done up to 5 times a day (or every 4-5 hours).
After 24 hours you may gently brush the sutures / stitches with a soft toothbrush to remove plaque build-up around the wound.
If you have a denture to wear, do NOT place it in your mouth until advised by your dental professional.
Please ensure you have a post-operative appointment booked approximately 1-2 weeks following the surgery so your dental professional can assess the healing and remove the sutures.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Bleeding is expected to occur in various amounts over the next few days from the mouth and nose. Treat nose bleed by applying ice and direct pressure. Do not be alarmed by the presence of bone granules. Some drainage is normal from the mouth and nose; just wipe away.
Swelling will occur and may involve the cheeks or even the entire face. This will gradually increase over the next few days before slowly subsiding.
Bruising of the cheeks and face may occur. It will appear purple / blue, then turn yellow before disappearing.
Pain is expected and your dental professional will recommend the analgesics most suitable for you. Headaches may also be experienced. Certain medications will cause drowsiness and it is important not to drive or operate heavy machinery until fully recovered from the effects.
If your lip, tongue or cheek is numb, please take care not to bite it.
If you are concerned about any of these symptoms or believe it is excessive in the days following your appointment please call us on 9375 2177.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Do NOT blow your nose or drink through a straw for 2-4 weeks following surgery.
Try to avoid sneezing 2-4 weeks following surgery. If you must, please sneeze through your mouth rather than hold it in through your nose.
If you are a smoker, do NOT smoke for at least 1 week following surgery as it may increase the risk of post-operative complications and result in sinus augmentation failure. It is preferable to avoid smoking for 4 weeks.
Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours.
Avoid spitting (e.g. after mouthwash) and do not rinse or gargle for at least 24 hours.
For 24 hours following surgery, do not eat or drink anything that is too hot, too cold or too hard. Maintain a very soft food diet for a week or until you can slowly re-introduce hard foods (e.g. scrambled eggs, soup, and yoghurt).
Avoid strenuous physical activity or bending over and lifting heavy items for at least 1 week following surgery.
Avoid aeroplane travel for at least 1 week following surgery as cabin pressure changes can cause pain and swelling within the sinuses.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us on 9375 2177

Scale and Clean

Woohoo on that fresh clean feeling!

If you've had your teeth cleaned with our EMS Airflow, and maybe a fluoride treatment - there's a couple of things you'll want to avoid for the next 60 minutes.

Coffee, smoking and alcohol! Additionally any strongly coloured food or drink such as turmeric, beetroot, tomato sauce.