FILLINGS
When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid hot beverages and any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to burn or bite your tongue and lip while you are numb.

It is normal to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3 to 4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. Warm salt-water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will soothe any irritated soft tissue. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days, or if the sensitivity to cold or hot increases, contact our office.

You may chew on your composite filling as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off since they are fully set when you leave the office. It is advisable, however, to avoid hard or crunchy foods for a day or two after the appointment. If the nerves of your teeth were unhealthy before treatment, they may become symptomatic at this time. If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please contact our office.

CROWN & BRIDGE
Thanks to modern technology we have been able to construct a temporary crown or bridge, while you wait for your permanent to be fabricated at the lab. Because this was constructed chair side and is only meant to be temporary, the crown or bridge may, or may not, match the color, smoothness or bite of your original teeth. Your final crown or bridge will resemble your natural teeth in color, shape, bite and smoothness to the feel of your tongue and lips.

The temporary crown or bridge is cemented in place with an adhesive that will enable it to be removed with minimum effort. For this reason, it might come loose. If this happens, please call Dr. Berkovich. In the meantime, replace it if possible with denture adhesive, Vaseline, or toothpaste as a temporary cementing agent. The final crown or bridge will be cemented to the prepared teeth with special dental adhesive that is designed to attach the crown or bridge firmly and permanently. We must stress that the function of the temporary crown or bridge is not only to protect the prepared teeth, but also keep them in the position they were in when the impression for the permanent crown or bridge was taken.

The gums may also be sore and tender for a few days, however, continue with proper home care of brushing and flossing (pull the floss out the side), and warm salt-water rinses. Work with us during this brief period of inconvenience and the final results will be rewarding and satisfying.

After the crown or bridge is cemented permanently, you may have sensitivity to cold. Avoid cold foods and beverages if this is a problem. Sensitivity should subside in a few days to a few weeks. You may have gum irritation after a crown is placed. Warm salt-water rinses for the next few days will help the gum to heal and will help relieve discomfort. You may experience some bleeding of the gum when brushing and flossing for the first few times. Continue brushing and flossing as usual and these symptoms should subside in a few days. Treat and care for your crown or bridge as you would for all of your teeth. If you have any questions, please contact our office.

ROOT CANAL THERAPY
You have just had root canal therapy and may experience some tenderness. This is expected and may last a few days or weeks. It is imperative that you take any medications exactly as prescribed. Some of the following symptoms may occur after root canal therapy: sensitivity to pressure, sensitivity to cold and/or hot, and possibly swelling.

If no prescriptions were given, you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen; these are recommended for minor discomfort or pain. Should you have swelling, fever or severe pain, please call Dr. Berkovich immediately. A temporary filling or temporary crown may have been used to seal the tooth; if so, you will need to return for a permanent restoration placement.

DENTURES AND PARTIALS
It will take time and patience to become comfortable with your new appliance. You will probably develop several sore spots at first. Call for an adjustment appointment, but make sure to wear the appliance 6-8 hours before coming in. You may have to cut your food in small pieces and chew evenly on both sides. When placing partial dentures in your mouth, seat them in place with finger pressure. Never bite them into place because you may bend or break them. All appliances should be brushed three times per day with a toothbrush or denture brush. Plaque and calculus forms on dentures exactly like it does on natural teeth. Don’t sleep with your appliance in your mouth. Clean and soak it in water overnight. A cleaning solution may be added to the water, but this does not replace brushing the appliance regularly. Let us make any adjustments on the appliance…please don’t “whittle away” a “high” or “sore” spot. It requires time to learn to tolerate dentures. Please be patient!

PERIODONTAL SCALING AND ROOT PLANING
You have just had minor periodontal surgery. You will experience some discomfort, which can vary considerably. Any prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Soreness should subside in a few days, but may last several weeks. It is imperative to continue with immaculate home-care (brushing and flossing) even through the healing process to ensure only the best results. Warm salt-water rinses are necessary 4-5 times per day. Bleeding is normal for up to 24 hours. If you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen, these are recommended for minor discomfort or pain. Please call our office if you have any questions.

POST WHITENING
Everyone’s teeth have a protective moisture barrier called the acquired pellicle. This layer protects the teeth from surface staining and is removed during a regular dental cleaning or the whitening process. It takes twelve to twenty-four hours for the pellicle to fully develop again.

During this period, we ask that you not consume dark liquids or foods in order to minimize the chance of stains being absorbed into the unprotected surface of the teeth. SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED. You may also experience some sensitivity of the teeth during this period. If you do not have any discomfort, you may take whatever you would normally use for a headache.

We recommend that you AVOID the following for the next 24 hours:

• Red wine
• Dark colas
• Coffee or tea
• Red sauces
• Mustard or ketchup
• Smoking
• Lipstick (if applicable)
• Anything that would stain a white shirt

• Milk, water, clear soda
• Bananas, apples (no peel)
• White bread, flour tortillas
• Oatmeal, cream of wheat
• Plain yogurt, white cheese
• Sour cream, cottage cheese
• White rice, baked potato
• Plain pasta and white sauce
• Turkey, chicken breast (no skin), white fish

Angela Berkovich - cosmetic and restorative dentistry

1348 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Ste. A
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
954-427-3000

Serving Deerfield Beach and the surrounding areas including Little Harbor on the Hillsboro, The Cove, Carver Heights, Arlington Park, Barwal, Coral Manor, College Park, Broward Heights, Park Haven, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Floresta Estates, Eastway Park, Lighthouse Point, Shorewood, Royal Oak Hills, Boca Raton, Floresta, Paradise Palms, Broward County and Palm Beach County. We are conveniently located on East Hillsboro Boulevard just east of Federal Highway close to Ocean Boulevard and the Atlantic Ocean.

Smile makeover • teeth whitening • porcelain veneers for crooked or stained teeth • natural-looking fillings, crowns & bridges • precision-fit dentures & partials • dental implants - a permanent alternative to missing teeth & loose dentures • wisdom teeth extractions • root canal therapy • general dentist • children's dentist • sedation dentistry