·  Try not to eat until anesthetic has worn off completely.

·  Children should be observed until the anesthetic wears off.  Due to the strange feeling of the anesthetic, many children will chew the inside of their lips, cheeks, or tongue, which can cause serious damage. 

·  Composite fillings set up hard right away.  You can eat as soon as the anesthetic has worn off.

·  Some sensitivity is common following a dental restoration. Usually, the deeper the cavity, the more sensitive the tooth will be. Sensitivity is usually most noticeable the first 12 to 24 hours after the anesthetic wears off.

·  The gum tissue around the tooth and the injection site may be sensitive and have a bruised feeling for a few days after treatment. 

·  If the bite doesn’t feel normal after the anesthetic has worn off, call our office for a minor adjustment.  If the bite isn’t correct it can make your tooth (teeth) sore.

For large fillings:

The tooth will be very sensitive to cold.  This is normal as long as the sensitivity goes away when the cold source is removed.  If it is sensitive to cold and aches for a long time afterwards or is sensitive for no reason, call the office.

Decay or fillings which are close to the nerve can increase the chances of your needing a root canal or a crown in the future.

Large fillings increase the probability of the tooth fracturing and needing a crown.  If you have sensitivity to chewing, especially hard, crunchy things, call the office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Yamada’s office at
(619) 223-3423.

·        Try not to eat until anesthetic has worn off completely.

·        Following the first appointment for a crown, inlay, onlay, or bridge procedure, a temporary is usually placed on the tooth or teeth involved.  This will protect them while the custom restoration is being made.

·        If the bite on your temporary or the final restoration doesn’t feel normal or balanced after the anesthetic has worn off, call our office for a minor adjustment.  If the bite isn’t correct it can make your tooth (teeth) sore.

·        The use of temporary cement is used for easy removal on your next appointment.  If your temporary comes off between appointments, slip it back on and call us for an appointment. The cement available at the drugstores interferes with bonding material DO NOT RECEMENT TEMPORARIES YOURSELF.  Do Not eat “sticky” foods such as gum, candies, dried fruit, etc. When you floss the teeth with temporaries, Floss toward the tissue and pull out to the side.  Do Not pull floss back out through the contact, you may pull the temporary off.

·        Most crowns fit below the gum line, therefore, you may experience some discomfort for a few days after the procedure due to irritation of the gum tissue.  Sensitivity due to cold or pressure and sensitivity in the area of the injection site is also possible. If this persists for more than 4 days please contact us.

·        Decay or fillings that are close to the nerve can increase the chances of your tooth needing a root canal in the future.

·        After the final cementation of your fixed restoration, allow 24 hours for the cement to achieve a full set.  It will take a few days to get used to the new crown or bridge.  If you feel the bite is not correctly balanced, be sure and call for an appointment for a simple adjustment.

·        Crowned teeth are NOT immune to decay.  Proper brushing and flossing is recommended to help you retain your final restoration.

If you have any problems please call our office at (619)223-3423.

•  Follow instructions included in your kit.

•  Total treatment time is usually 2 – 3 weeks. Some cases may take longer, especially if treatment is interrupted.

•  Make sure you brush and floss thoroughly prior to each treatment. The bleaching gel can work better if it is in contact with the tooth rather than plaque buildup.

•  Mild sensitivity to cold liquids or air may occur. This usually passes a few days after treatment is completed. If the sensitivity is severe or persists, discontinue using the gel and contact our office.

•  If you experience any gum irritation, let us know. Your custom tray may need to be adjusted.

•  Whitening works best on yellow stained teeth. Gray teeth are more difficult to whiten, or may not respond to treatment. Such cases may require porcelain veneers to achieve the desired result.

•  Results can be quite dramatic. However upon completion of the whitening process, the color will “tone down” somewhat. This is normal and actually looks more natural.

•  Long term results vary from patient to patient. This can depend on many factors including habits such as smoking or coffee, tea, wine, or cola consumption.

•  “Touch-up” treatments may be needed every 3 – 6 months. This can usually be accomplished in 1 or 2 treatments of 1 – 2 hours each. A special touch-up kit is available at our office.

•  Existing fillings, crowns, bonding, etc. will not whiten. Therefore, these restorations may need to be changed in order to match your new smile.

•  If you have a scheduled appointment, it is important to keep it, so we can assess the results or make changes in treatment as needed.

If you have old silver Mercury fillings ASK us about changing them to invisible white fillings, and old crowns with dark gum-lines can be changed to more natural looking porcelain crowns.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Yamada’s office at  (619) 223-3423.

1) PATIENT CANNOT DRIVE FOR 24 HOURS AFTER TAKING SEDATION MEDICATION

2) DO NOT OPERATE ANY HAZARDOUS DEVICES FOR 24 HOURS

3) A RESPONSIBLE PERSON SHOULD BE WITH THE PATIENT UNTIL HE/SHE HAS FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE SEDATION

4) PATIENT SHOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN STAIRS UNATTENDED.  LET THE PATIENT STAY ON THE GROUND FLOOR UNTIL RECOVERED.

5) HAVING NUTRITION AFTER SEDATION IS IMPORTANT.  THE PATIENT SHOULD BEGIN EATING APPROPRIATE FOOD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  DO NOT DELAY.

6) PATIENT NEEDS TO DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

7) PATIENT MAY SEEM ALERT WHEN HE/SHE LEAVES.  THIS MAY BE MISLEADING SO DO NOT LEAVE THE PATIENT ALONE.

8) ALWAYS HOLD PATIENT’S ARM WHEN WALKING

9) CALL US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DIFFICULTIES.  IF YOU FEEL THAT YOUR SYMPTOMS WARRANT A PHYSICIAN AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO REACH US, GO TO THE CLOSEST EMERGENCY ROOM IMMEDIATELY.

10) PATIENT SHOULD NOT CARRY, SLEEP NEXT TO OR BE LEFT ALONE WITH THE ELDERLY OR YOUNG CHILDREN FOR A PERIOD OF NO LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER THE LAST DOSAGE OF MEDICATION.

11) DRIVE DIRECTLY HOME, & CALL THE OFFICE WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT HOME AND THE PATIENT IS COMFORTABLE & SAFE.

FOLLOWING MOST SURGICAL PROCEDURES THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE PAIN, DEPENDING ON YOUR THRESHOLD FOR PAIN.  YOU WILL BE PROVIDED WITH MEDICATION FOR DISCOMFORT THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOU.  IN MOST CASES, A NON-NARCOTIC PAIN REGIMEN WILL BE GIVEN CONSISTING OF ACETAMINOPHEN (TYLENOL) AND IBUPROFEN (ADVIL).  THESE TWO MEDICATIONS TAKEN TOGETHER WILL BE AS EFFECTIVE AS A NARCOTIC WITHOUT ANY OF THE SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH NARCOTICS.  IF A NARCOTIC HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED, FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY.  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE MEDICATIONS INTERACTING WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS YOU ARE PRESENTLY TAKING, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE FIRST, YOUR PHYSICIAN AND/OR YOUR PHARMACIST.

DR. YAMADA’S  OFFICE: (619) 223-3423

WHEN SHOULD YOU NOTIFY THE DOCTOR

1. If profuse bleeding continues after 3-4 hours of applied pressure

2. If you are unable to maintain a nutritious diet after 48 hours.

3. If the pain and/or swelling increases after the third day.

4. If an oral bandage becomes dislodged prior to the third day.

5. If you have an allergic reaction to medications such as:

• skin rash

• hives

• elevated temperature

• increased and/or erratic heart rate

• nausea/vomiting

• dizziness/fainting

• blurred vision

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

DO NOT rinse for at least 24 hours after the surgery

DO NOT exercise or do heavy lifting for 3 to 5 days after the surgery

DO NOT smoke for 72 hours!

DO NOT drink alcohol for 72 hours!

WHAT TO EXPECT FOLLOWING ANY SURGERY

BLEEDING

To slow or prevent bleeding, bite with light pressure on the gauze pack that has been placed over the surgical area. Pressure should be applied in 20 to 30 minute intervals and repeated until the bleeding is brought under control. If bleeding persists without slowing for several hours apply a gauze soaked in strong tea and repeat the above steps until the bleeding stops. Exercising and heavy lifting will raise your blood pressure and will dislodge the blood clot and bleeding will resume. Avoid exercising for three to five days following the surgery.

SWELLING

To prevent and/or minimize swelling apply ice packs at 10 minute intervals to the surgical area. After 72 hours apply a warm compress to the area to relieve swelling. Swelling is a natural part of the healing process and can be expected for 3 days to several weeks depending on the nature and the extent of the surgery.

DISCOMFORT

Following most surgical procedures there may or may not be pain, depending on your threshold for pain. You will be provided, with medication for discomfort that is appropriate for you. In most cases, a non­narcotic pain regimen will be given consisting of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil). These two medications, taken together, will be as effective as a narcotic without any of the side affects associated with narcotics. If a narcotic has been prescribed, follow the directions carefully. If you have any questions about these medications interacting with other medications you are presently taking, please call either, our office, your physician or pharmacist prior to taking the medications in question.

Doctors' Office                 (619)223-3423