Op/Post Op

Extraction | TMJ Protocol | Opalescence Home Bleaching Instructions | MI Paste/MI Paste Plus

Extraction

Swelling, discomfort and restricted jaw functions may be expected. So do not be alarmed if this occurs. Please follow the instructions below to minimize post op complications:

Avoid excessive physical activity
Apply an ice pack to the jaw near the surgical site to alleviate swelling
No vigorous rinsing or spitting
Avoid any type of alcohol in the first 24 hours (including Listerine)
Avoid any “sharp” foods; soft diet is recommended the day of surgery
No drinking through a straw
No carbonated beverages in the first 24 hours
Drink plenty of fluids
After 24 hours, use warm salt water rinses
Brush your other teeth but avoid the area of surgery
No smoking for 24 hours after surgery
For any discomfort please take pain medication as directed by the Doctor

Please contact us at our office if you have any questions or concerns.

TMJ Protocol

To help recover from a TMJ episode, please follow these instructions:

Soft, non-chew diet such as pasta, yogurt, rice, etc. Avoid hard to chew foods such as bagels, meat, pizza, etc. Avoid opening wide and take small bites.
Apply moist heat to the area. Heat a wet washcloth in the microwave and apply to the area for 20 minutes, and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this several times each day.
Take Advil or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory: Advil 800 mg. taken 4 times per day for 3 days.
Rest your jaw. Restrict jaw movements and opening wide as much as possible. Keep teeth out of contact as much as possible.
Allow plenty of time for recovery.

Please contact us at our office if you have any questions or concerns.

Opalescence Home Bleach Instructions

Congratulations! You are beginning a treatment process that will not only improve your appearance, but your self-confidence as well. There are three factors that determine the amount of whitening attained during teeth bleaching: 1) how long the appliance is worn; 2) how frequently the appliance is worn; and 3) the sensitivity of your teeth to the bleaching agent. Results will vary, but the majority of patients are ecstatic about having whiter teeth. The whitening result will reverse over time and, for that reason, it is imperative that “touch up” bleaching be done every three or four months for one or more applications to maintain the desired result. This “touch up” is done immediately after your cleaning appointment for a better result.

Procedure:

Thoroughly clean (brush and floss) your teeth before applying the bleach gel.
Load the tray with bleaching gel, release it from the syringe evenly into the deepest portions of the tray only (usually less than 1 cc of gel).
Place the appliance completely and firmly onto the teeth, pressing with fingers to adapt the appliance to the teeth. Do not press too hard - excessive force will push too much gel out of the tray.
Gently wipe off excess gel with a toothbrush or Q-tip.
Expectorate (spit-out) any excess material.
Wear the tray for two hours.
When the tray is removed, thoroughly brush your teeth and gums. Rinse the tray thoroughly and place it in the tray case so it is ready for the next application.

Possible Side Effects

During treatment, some patients may experience an increase in sensitivity to cold and gum irritation. Temporary discomfort during bleaching, including tongue and/or lip soreness, throat irritation and moderate tooth pain, have also been reported. Please call our office if any of these symptoms occur and are persistent. The common side effects (sensitivity and tissue soreness) typically dissipate within one to three days once treatment has been concluded or stopped. To help relieve sensitivity, a fluoride gel can be placed in the tray for five minutes. While this helps, it also slows the bleaching process. If your teeth and gums are sensitive, delay the next application for a couple of days in order to allow the symptoms to subside before continuing treatment.

Bleaching Precautions:

Do not use household bleach to whiten.
Pregnant women should not bleach.
Keep out of heat/sunlight. Do not freeze. Refrigerate for best results.
Tooth fillings and crowns do not respond to bleaching.
Foods and drinks high in acid may cause sensitivity.
Do not use tobacco products or eat while bleaching.
Keep Opalescence out of reach of small children.
Do not swallow gel or rinses. The product contains peroxide and can contain fluoride; swallowing large amounts can be harmful.
Avoid over-the-counter bleaching agents. They often have a very high acid pH that can dissolve your teeth and permanently ruin your smile. Our gel has a neutral pH.

Note: In the whitening process, the biting edges of the teeth bleach first and work its way up. Your normal tooth color is typically darker toward the gumline. We have treated a large number of cases since offering this treatment, and not one patient has experienced any irreversible effects to the teeth. It is completely safe.

Please contact us at our office if you have any questions or concerns.

MI Paste/MI Paste Plus

Use of MI Paste is the professional way to remineralize and rejuvenate your teeth. It helps to maintain you oral health through minimum intervention. It is the simple, yet effective, modern medical approach to managing dental caries and various other conditions.

What is it?
MI Paste is a water-based, sugar-free cream that is applied to the tooth surface, restoring the oral mineral imbalances by replacing minerals. It improves saliva flow and can help strengthen your teeth as well as soothe sensitive tooth surfaces. The active ingredient for the remineralization process is RECALDENT.

MI Paste Plus is enhanced with fluoride, which further promotes remineralization and protects teeth from tooth decay. Because the fluoride acts in conjunction with the RECALDENT ingredient, it is more effective that fluoride alone.

Indications for MI Paste and MI Paste Plus

High caries risk patients
Dry Mouth
Orthodontic patients ( during and after)
Post bleaching
Pediatric patients
High plaque and special needs patients
Promotes remineralization of white spot lesions
Oncology patients

Contraindications for MI Past and MI Past Plus:

Do not use if proven or suspected milk protein allergy and/or sensitive or allergic to benzoate preservatives.

Procedure:

For at home application using a custom tray after tooth brushing:

Before use, thoroughly rinse the custom tray under water.
Place a layer of MI Paste Plus into the tray and apply to your teeth – upper and lower.
Leave the tray in the mouth for a minimum of 3 minutes.
Remove the tray.
Use the tongue to spread the remaining MI Paste Plus throughout the mouth. Keep the paste in your mouth for as long as possible (another 1-2 minutes), avoiding expectoration and swallowing. Just remember: the longer the paste and saliva are maintained in the mouth, the more effective the result.
Expectorate thoroughly and if possible avoid rinsing. Any MI Paste Plus remaining will gradually dissipate. Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes following application.
The tray should be rinsed under water immediately – no residual MI Paste Plus should be left in the tray.

2. For at home non-tray application after tooth brushing:

Apply a sufficient amount of MI Past Plus to the upper and lower teeth. A pea size amount for each arch is the minimum required. The paste should be applied to the tooth surfaces using a clean dry finger or cotton tip. For difficult areas (between the teeth) use an Interproximal Tooth Cleaning Brush or dental floss coated with the paste.
Leave the MI Paste Plus on the teeth undisturbed for a minimum of 3 minutes.
Use the tongue to spread the remaining MI Paste Plus throughout the mouth. Hold in the mouth for as long as possible (another 1-2 minutes), avoiding expectoration and delaying swallowing. The longer the paste and saliva are maintained in the mouth, the more effective the result.
Expectorate thoroughly and if possible avoid rinsing. Any MI Paste Plus remaining on the surface can be left to gradually dissipate. Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after application.

NOTE: Night time/overnight use is especially recommended for high-risk adult patients, but not recommended for children under 12.

Precautions:

Always replace the cap after use and remove any residual paste or moisture around the tube neck or inside the cap.
MI Paste Plus use not recommended for children under the age of 6.
Night time/ overnight use not recommended for children under 12.
In case of contact with eyes, flush immediately with water and seek medical attention.
In case of spillage on clothes, wash off with water.
If any angioedema (rash) symptoms are experienced, this may indicate sensitivity or allergy. In this event, discontinue use and seek medical attention.

Please contact us at our office if you have any questions or concerns.