Home Care Instructions for post cosmetic dental treatment

what to expect immediately After Cosmetic Dental Treatment

Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Berman will do there best to minimize any post cosmetic treatment issues, but it may take a moderate amount of time to adjust to the feel of your new bite and how the teeth feel against your lips, cheek or tongue. We strive to minimally alter your current bite or occlusion but it is possible there may be some small adjustment that may be necessary over the following week or two.

We practice the philosophy of minimally invasive to non-invasive cosmetic dentistry and feel that the less we alter and touch your teeth, the better off you will be long term. Minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry may also lessen or minimize the need for a dental anesthetic during treatment. In cases that require more tooth reduction to produce an ideal result, it is possible that you may experience some minor short term hot and cold sensitivity.  It is possible the gums may also be sore for a day or two, but usually there is minimal to no gum sensitivity after treatment. 

Daily brushing and flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your new smile as well as for maintaining overall dental health, as are regular cleaning appointments.

Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth so be careful to avoid hard foods and substances or biting your fingernails or chewing on pencils or other objects. Smoking, red wine, blueberries and other foods may will stain your teeth over time. Porcelain veneers are easy to maintain and any stain will be superficial and should easily brush or be polished off during normal brushing or at a cleaning.  Immediately after treatment, try to minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries for at least two days. Cosmetic dental bonding does stain and chip easier than porcelain restorations, but it is easy for our hygienist to polish and any minor chips can be fixed easily by the our doctors. 

If you engage in sports, it is important to let us know so we can make you a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard we have provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile may take a small amount of time and we will do our best to minimize this transition period as you get used to your new smile. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.

After Crown and Bridge Appointments

Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and cheek may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.

Occasionally a temporary crown may come off. Call us at 212-541-9500 or toll free at 1-888-NY-SMILE if this happens and bring the temporary crown with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration. To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.

It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few days after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications, which are rarely required may also be used as directed by our office if necessary.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at 212-541-9500 or toll free at 1-888-NY-SMILE.