Dental Information Center

Temporary Crown And Bridge care

• Good home care is essential for the health of the gum tissue and tooth structure that will be supporting your new crown or bridge. Please follow these instructions to maintain the best possible environment for your temporary.
• Brush twice daily removing plaque or food particles away from gum tissue and temporaries. A gentle massaging motion is best, never scrub.
• Floss at least once a day. For single crowns, work the floss down between the teeth and gently pull the floss, removing any build-up between the tissue and the temporary. Be careful that you do not pull the floss back up as it may catch on the temporary and pull it off. To maintain multiple temporaries that are splinted together, use the inter-proximal brush or a yarn "super floss" your doctor has provided.
• Please avoid sticky, excessively chewy or hard foods such as candies, caramels, bagels, and chewing gum. Your temporaries are plastic and can break if not properly maintained.
• Should your temporary crown or bridge come off you may clean it, apply toothpaste inside and insert it over your tooth and push it down. Never use super glue. Please call the office to inform our staff should this occur to arrange a time to have it re-cemented. It is important that you do not leave the temporary off for a long period of time as you may compromise the fit of your new crown and the health of the tooth underneath.
• If you are a patient that has a splint, please bring in the splint the day we seat the crowns. This will enable us to do any adjustments to the splint to better fit the new crowns.

Home Care Instructions for Teeth Whitening

Please follow these instructions for the best whitening results.

• We recommend you find a two to three hour period during the day that you will not be eating or drinking anything. The solution works at its maximum for the first two to three hours. You may also do 2 treatments per day if you are not experiencing sensitivity.
• Do the bleaching while you are awake. We find that patients who sleep with the trays experience more sensitivity.
• For best results, brush and floss your teeth prior to each application.
• Dispense a small amount of solution onto the front surface of each tooth indentation of your bleaching trays. Place the trays over your teeth and gently press the front surface to spread the solution evenly up to the gum-line. This will insure the consistent whitening of your teeth. If you notice the solution oozing over the edge of the tray, wipe away the excess with a Q-tip and try using a bit less on the next application.
• You may experience some sensitivity during the whitening process. This is not unusual and does not indicate the solution is damaging your teeth. If this occurs please contact our office for instructions specific to your sensitivity. The sensitivity will subside once treatment is complete.
• At then end of your bleaching, store the trays in the case we give you and save them for future touch-ups. Keep your extra whitening gel syringes in the refrigerator for longer shelf life. The solution can be used for up to 18 months if refrigerated.

To keep your smile bright, you may want to touch up every year to year and a half. Usually it only takes one or two

applications to restore the teeth to the desired shade

Leaf Gauge Use

The leaf gauge helps stabilize your jaw position and muscle balance. Place the leaf gauge between the upper and lower front teeth and close firmly. Starting with your jaw in the back position, slide your jaw forward on the leaf gauge, and then slide it back. Holding this set position will allow a gradual settling of the jaw. If you read while using the leaf gauge, hold your reading material up instead of lowering your head down. You may experience some discomfort during this procedure. Please report that to the doctor. Use the leaf gauge for 10-15 minutes at a time. If your muscles get sore, it may help to hold a warm compress over the area of discomfort.

Denture Care

• Clean your denture(s) with a tooth or denture brush each day to avoid any build-up. You may use a non-abrasive toothpaste, or soap and water or Denture cream to help remove debris and stains. You may also use a denture cleaner soak to freshen the denture at night (you should not be wearing your denture(s) while you sleep).
• You should have an exam and re-evaluation of the denture(s), their fit, their bite and the health of your oral tissue every 2 years. As your bone and tissue changes with time a reline of the inside of your denture are recommended every 3-5 years.

**Please keep your denture(s) out of reach of your pets. Animals love their owners and anything that has their scent on it. They will chew and destroy your denture(s).

Temporary Partial Denture/Flipper Care

Please follow these instructions to ensure your temporary removable partial denture "Flipper" stays clean and fits properly.

• Always store removable partial denture in water or keep it wet when not in mouth.
• Clean your "Flipper" with a toothbrush each day to avoid any build-up. You may use a denture cleaner to soak or to freshen your flipper. Do not use any mouthwash to clean or soak your removable partial flipper.
• Please keep out of reach of pets. They will chew and destroy your flipper.

**Note: Most Flippers are made to replace anterior (front) teeth are mainly for esthetics. It is permissible to remove it while eating.

Removable Partial Denture Care

Please follow these instructions to ensure your partial stays clean and fits properly.

• Clean your Partial with a toothbrush or Denture brush each day to avoid any build-up. You may use a non-abrasive toothpaste, or soap and water or Denture cream to help remove debris and stains. You may also use a denture cleaner soak to freshen the denture. (At night you should not be wearing them).
• You should have an exam and re-evaluation of the partial, their fit, their bite and the health of your oral tissue every 2 years. As your bone and tissue changes with time a reline of the inside of your denture are recommended every 3-5 years.

**Please keep it out of reach of your pets. Animals love their owners and anything that has their scent on it. They will chew and destroy your partial.

Home Care Instructions for your Soft Liner

• Keep liner moist when out of the mouth
• Do not brush with a denture brush on the soft liner, you may use a soft toothbrush
• Do not use denture cleaners
• Do not use a mouthwash soak