Question 1

Amalgam Fillings

Accepted Answer

What to expect after receiving your Amalgam/Silver filling:
 • Anesthetic may be used during this visit which will result in numbness for a few hours following your appointment. Use caution when chewing as to not bite your lip, tongue, or cheek if anesthetic is required on the lower part of your mouth.
 • The filling will not be fully set/hardened for 24 hours after it is placed. To avoid damaging or breaking the fillings please chew on the opposite side of the mouth until the following day.
 • We will check and adjust your bite while you are here, however if you discover that after you leave your appointment you may feel that the filling is off or to high. If this is the case please let us know so we can get you in for an additional adjustment. If you continue with a filling that needs adjustment you risk breaking the filling or injuring the tooth.
 • Teeth can be sensitive to hot and cold after the restoration is placed and should gradually subside. If you continue to experience sensitivity after a few weeks please let our office know, this can sometimes indicate that that the nerve of the tooth is dying.
 • Continue to use caution when biting into hard substances such as ice, hard candy, nuts etc. Putting excessive force on teeth and restorations can fracture the filling and possibly the tooth.

Question 2

Crowns and Bridges

Accepted Answer

What to expect after receiving your Crown or Bridge:
 
Upon leaving after the initial appointment, you will have a temporary restoration placed on your tooth. Below are some precautions that should be taken:
 
 • Avoid sticky or chewy foods (e.g., gum, caramels), which can pull the temporary restoration off the tooth.
 • Chew on the opposite side of the temporary restoration if possible.
 • Avoid chewing hard foods (e.g., popcorn kernels, nuts, raw vegetables etc.) which can break or dislodge the temporary restoration.
 • Gentle brushing, when flossing pull the floss through the teeth instead of lifting it up through the tooth as you normally would.
What to expect?
 
The restoration is placed on with temporary cement, which is why it is important to follow the above instructions. Your gum tissue may be tender and inflamed for a few days, which is normal, and you can utilize over the counter medication such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc. You may rinse with warm salt water a few times a day as well to help with the inflammation. It is recommended that you stick with a softer food diet until the permanent restoration is placed.
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Once the permanent restoration is placed it is best to avoid hard or sticky foods for the next 24 hours as the cement continues to set. Upon the completion of the cement setting, you may resume your normal eating and cleaning regimen, though the tooth and gum tissue may continue to be tender for a few weeks as the area continues to heal.
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Lighthouse Dental Group offers a 1-year guarantee on all crown and bridgework done here in our office as determined by the Dentist. If established that there was not a defect or usual and typical wear on the crown then the guarantee will not be applied.
*Decay can still develop around the restoration, it is very important that you continue to practice good oral hygiene.

Question 3

Dentures

Accepted Answer

Reasons for Dentures:
 
 • Full Denture-replaces all missing or lost teeth in the upper or lower arch
 • Partial Denture-replaces several missing or lost teeth in an upper or lower arch
 • Replacing missing or lost teeth enhances ones smile and supports facial tissue as well as improving chewing, speech and digestion.
How many appointments will it take for the Denture process?
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Full Denture:
The process requires several appointments, typically about three weeks. There will be several try-in appointments to ensure the proper shape, color and fit of the custom made denture. At the final appointment we will deliver your completed denture and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a proper and comfortable fit.
 
Partial Denture:
The process requires several appointments, typically about three-four weeks. There will be several try-in appointments to ensure the proper shape, color and fit of the custom made denture. There may be some prepping needed to the existing anchor teeth. At the final appointment we will deliver your completed denture and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a proper and comfortable fit. Proper cleaning of your removable denture is very important to remove plaque build up and staining. Instructions will be given to you before you leave on how to properly clean and maintain your denture.
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Lighthouse Dental Group will provide 6 months of complimentary adjustments if needed after 6 months will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Question 4

Extractions

Accepted Answer

What to expect after having a tooth extracted (pulled):
 
 • The initial healing period typically takes one to two weeks and you will likely experience some swelling for the first 48 hours.
 • More than likely you were given anesthetic before your procedure to ensure your comfort. The anesthetic may leave your lips, tongue and cheeks numb, therefore you should avoid chewing for at least 2 hours following your appointment or until the numbness wears off.
 • Some discomfort following an extraction is normal and can usually be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol. If warranted a stronger prescription may be given to you before you leave. Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach as this may cause nausea.
 • To help alleviate pain and swelling an ice pack may be applied for increments of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 6 hours following the procedure.
 • A blood clot will form in the extraction site; this clot is vital in the healing process. In order to keep the clot from dislodging it is important to: avoid touching the extraction site with your fingers or tongue, do not drink through a straw, do not spit, avoid smoking for at least 24-48 hours as these are all vital in the healing process.
 • Avoid small food particles that can be become lodged in the extraction site area. Try to stick to a soft food diet for the next few days.
 • 24 hours after the procedure you can rinse gently with mouthwash or warm salt water (dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water) gently swish the solution and spit out carefully. You may do this 2-3 times each day for the week following the extraction. 
 • If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated amount of time, even if symptoms have subsided.
 • Relax as much as possible and avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for the first 24 hours after surgery.
 • Drink at least 8 large glasses of water each day
 • Try to keep your head elevated with pillows to help control the bleeding. We will supply you with some gauze to be placed on the extraction site, make sure you wet the gauze before biting and replace as necessary until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding continues you may gently, but firmly bite down on a moistened tea bag for 20 minutes. Be sure to call our office if bleeding continues or increases.
 • Brush and floss other areas in the mouth as you normally would, taking caution to not vigorously swish or spit.
 • The empty space left after the extraction will feel strange at first. Eventually, new bone and gum tissue will grow into the area.

Question 5

Root Canals

Accepted Answer

What to expect after undergoing a root canal procedure:
 
 • It usually takes a few visits to complete treatment for a root canal indicated tooth.
 • Anesthetic is typically used at this time so expect to be numb for a few hours after this appointment. Take care as to not bite your tongue, lip or cheek.
 • Until your root canal procedure is completed and the permanent restoration or crown is placed it is advised to minimize chewing on the tooth in question.
 • Upon completion of treatment, the tooth may be sensitive for a few days due to tissue inflammation. This can usually be relieved with over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.
 • The majority of Patients can return to normal activities the following day.
 • Tooth Colored Restorations
 • Anesthetic may be used during this visit which will result in numbness for a few hours following your appointment, use caution when chewing as to not bite your lip, tongue, or cheek if anesthetic is required on the lower part of your mouth.
 • Although the composite is already hardened when you leave you should avoid heavy chewing or hard food for at least 24 hours as the composite will continue to set.
 • Any tooth colored restoration is prone to staining or discoloration over time-practicing good home care (e.g., such as brushing, flossing) regularly will help prolong and possible prevent this. Discoloration typically comes from the frequency of tobacco, coffee, tea and red wine etc.
 • Decay can develop around the edges of the bonded restoration as well; again we recommend diligent daily home care.
 • If Resin fillings are placed on front teeth extra care must be taken to assure that the filling do not fracture/break. We strongly advise that you do not put direct force on those teeth such as: biting into hard food or objects.
 • Some sensitivity may be present for a few days after the restoration is placed which is not abnormal, if sensitivity continues for several days please contact our office @ 269-465-3001.
 • Lighthouse Dental Group offers a 1-year guarantee on all resin/tooth colored restorations done in our office as determined by the treating Dentist.

(269) 465-3001

Aftercare Instructions

Below are post-operative instructions from the Dentists at Lighthouse Dental Group.

If you have any questions about your procedure or are experiencing abnormal bleeding, swelling or severe discomfort, please do not hesitate to call us @ 269-465-3001.

(269) 465-3001

Aftercare Instructions

Below are post-operative instructions from the Dentists at Lighthouse Dental Group.

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If you have any questions about your procedure or are experiencing abnormal bleeding, swelling or severe discomfort, please do not hesitate to call us @ 269-465-3001.