Patient Resources

Pre-Op Instructions

Here at Clifford Dental, it is important to us that our patients are informed throughout every step of their treatment, so they're well prepared and have the opportunity to ask questions.

There are a few steps you need to take prior to taking any prescribed light medications in advance. You will need someone to accompany you to the procedure and drive you home afterward. On the day of your procedure, we ask that do not wear any jewelry, contact lenses or dentures. If you regularly take medications, discuss them with your doctor to ensure they are approved prior to your procedure. Other than these considerations, there is nothing else you need to do to prepare for your procedure.

If you have further questions, please call our office at (405) 283-0321.

Post-Op Instructions

It is important to follow the instructions after you have oral surgery to ensure proper healing and avoid complications. As a rule of thumb, you should always wait two hours after surgery before eating to let the anesthesia wear off. Trying to eat before it wears off could result in soft tissue damage as you are not able to feel all of your mouth. The instructions found below are guidelines. After your surgery, you will receive full instructions on how to properly recover from surgery.

Root Canal Therapy

You can expect soreness after a root canal procedure for a few days. Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the procedure was performed so you don't irritate the area. This is also to ensure that the temporary restorative material properly sets. You will also need to take an antibiotic to treat any remaining infection in the tooth. If you notice an increasing amount of pain or tenderness, a reaction to the medication, or the loss of the temporary restoration (the filling), call our office immediately.

Crowns

Before you receive your permanent crown, you will receive a temporary restoration first. Temporary crowns are not as sturdy as permanent ones, so you should be careful when cleaning and eating. Brush the area gently and do not pull up on the tooth when flossing because it could become dislodged. The same goes for eating. Avoid sticky or chewy foods while you have the temporary crown in.

There may be some sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent crown is placed. This is normal and will subside after the soft tissue heals. A warm salt water rinse will help. You can also take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not go away.

When the permanent crown or bridge is placed, it may feel a little awkward for a few days. Your mouth needs to adjust to the new tooth, so it should feel like one of your natural teeth in less than a week. If your bite feels abnormal in any way, let us know. Caring for your bridge or crown is just like caring for your own teeth, so brush and floss regularly.

Fillings or Bonding

After the anesthesia wears off, your teeth will likely be sensitive. Therefore, avoid hot and cold food or drink for the next few days. After that initial period, your treated teeth will feel as good as new! Continue your normal hygiene plan to ensure your fillings last for a long time.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure that requires some post-operative care to reduce the chance of infection or any other complications. Immediately following your surgery, a gauze pad will be placed over the extraction site. This pad should not be removed for at least 45 minutes, then discarded after that. Refrain from drinking from a straw or rinsing the mouth out to ensure you do not dislodge the blood clot that has formed. Limit your activities that day as well.

You can resume your regular activities the following day. Take the pain medication as prescribed to reduce the amount of discomfort that you feel after the local anesthetic wears off. As with any oral surgery, refrain from drinking through a straw as this can create suction and may disrupt the sutures.