CEREC stands for “Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics” and is a computer-aided design and manufacturing system for dentists. CEREC combines a camera, computer, and milling instrument into one machine allowing tooth restorations to be created in the dentist office, all within a single visit.
Not only does this eliminate both the long process of sending your tooth mold to an outside lab and living with a temporary crown, hundreds of studies show that the CEREC system is a safer and more effective way to restore your teeth than traditional methods.
The CEREC system is used to fix damaged or unsightly teeth. Whether you’re looking for a more radiant smile, or you’re teeth are decaying and need to be repaired, CEREC can help.
How CEREC works
CEREC uses advanced computer-aided design technology and software to create perfect, natural-looking restorations in just minutes. Thanks to this technology, visiting your dentist for a tooth restoration is a simple and non-invasive procedure.
Here’s how it works:
- Your dentist will prepare your tooth for the restoration
- The CEREC software takes a digital photo of the treatment area
- The CEREC technology converts the image into a 3D virtual model
- With input from the dentist, the software creates the final restoration
- The CEREC mill precisely carves a ceramic block into the exact shape and specifications of your restoration
- Once the dentist has ensured the restoration fits properly in your mouth, the restoration is polished and bonded to your tooth
This entire process takes no longer than 2 hours!
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an introductory visit, please give our office a call at: (559) 637-0123.
There are numerous reasons why you might need to have multiple teeth extracted at the same time. You may have suffered facial trauma that resulted in multiple teeth being severely damaged beyond repair. Tooth decay may have affected your teeth beyond the repair of a root canal. Advanced gum disease may have weakened the bone and periodontal ligaments around some of your teeth, causing an infection. No matter what your need for multiple tooth extractions, Reedley Family Dental is here to help. Extracting multiple teeth at the same time is not the same as extracting only one or two teeth. We will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for your mouth following extractions. This is some of what you can expect.
Bleeding
Some bleeding is to be expected following your extractions. You can manage this bleeding by placing gauze pads over the surgical sites and biting down with gentle pressure. Immediate dentures, if you have been provided with them, will help to stop bleeding as well, although you may experience some oozing from the sides.
Pain and Swelling
Pain and swelling are also common following multiple tooth extractions. Mild pain can be managed using an over the counter pain reliever such as Tylenol. Avoid using aspirin-based medications, as these can increase your bleeding risk. We will also provide you with a prescription for stronger pain medication, which can be used in the event of more severe pain.
For swelling, use ice, only during the first 24 hours. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and hold it to the side of the mouth near your surgical site for 20 minutes. Leave the ice off for 20 minutes and repeat as needed. This will help to minimize the total amount of swelling you experience. Moist heat after the first 24-48 hours can help to reduce your swelling (along with any bruising or discoloration) faster. Alternate your heat source for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off as needed.
Diet
After multiple tooth extractions, your mouth will understandably be a bit sore. It is important to eat a diet of soft foods. These should be nutrient dense, which will help aid in your healing. As you heal, you can slowly resume your normal diet. It is also important to drink plenty of water.
Physical Activity
Following your extractions, it is important that you limit your activities, particularly during the first 24 hours. Sit or lie down with your head elevated. Avoid strenuous activities, bending over, or lifting heavy objects. Doing these things can greatly increase your risk of bleeding, pain, and swelling. As you begin healing, you can slowly begin to resume your normal activities.
Oral Care
Taking care of your mouth following multiple tooth extractions is essential for preventing infections. During the first 24 hours, avoid rinsing and spitting, as these actions can dislodge clots. After the first 24 hours, rinse every few hours with a salt water solution. This will help to remove debris and kill bacteria. When you brush and floss your teeth, take care around the surgical sites. After your follow up visit, continue to rinse with a salt water solution 3 to 4 times a day.
When to Call
Following your aftercare instructions will help to ensure that your recovery goes smoothly. It is still possible, however, to experience complications. If you experience any of the following, call our office immediately:
- Excessive bleeding that will not stop.
- Severe pain that cannot be controlled with prescription medication.
- Excessive swelling.
- Fever.
If you have any questions before your tooth extractions, or while you are healing, never hesitate to call. Contact Reedley Family Dental at (559) 637-0123 to learn more.
Care of the mouth after surgery has an important effect on healing. Swelling, discomfort, oozing of blood and restricted jaw movement are all expected. The following instructions can minimize these effects.
Pain
Discomfort is expected. Medications will be prescribed to make you more comfortable. Take the medications as prescribed. Medications should not be taken on an empty stomach. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) every six hours for the next 3 days.
Care of Mouth
Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth the day of surgery. The morning after surgery rinse gently using the prescribed mouthwash. When brushing your teeth the day after surgery, avoid the surgical site(s).
Diet
A soft food diet is recommended for at least 7 days. Do not eat anything sticky or chewy. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid using straws, instead use a spoon if necessary. In the week following your extraction, you are advised to avoid foods that require chewing.
Swelling
Swelling is at its greatest 2 days after surgery. After your surgery, apply ice to the operated side of the face as soon as possible. Apply cold packs as much as possible. Continue through the day after your surgery. After 48 hours, begin to apply moist heat. Wet a washcloth and microwave it for 20-30 seconds. Massage jaw area.
Nausea
Nausea may accompany the discomfort during the post-operative period. Small sips of tea, 7-up or ginger ale may help.
Smoking
Do not smoke for at least two weeks following your surgery.
Bleeding
It is not unusual to have slight bleeding or oozing for 24 hours and periodic breakthrough bleeding for 10 days after surgery.
A folded piece of gauze has been placed in the area of surgery prior to your leaving the office. Bite on it with constant pressure. Remove the gauze and discard after 20 minutes. Replace the gauze only if needed. Avoid spitting or rinsing the day of your surgery.
Activity
The week after surgery, limited activity is best. Resting in a reclined position is most comfortable.
DO NOT DRIVE AFTER PROCEDURE FOR 24 HOURS
Stitches
Stitches may be placed at the time of surgery. In most cases, they are expected to come out/dissolve within 5-7 days following your surgery.
Dental implants are synthetic tooth roots that are designed to anchor replacement teeth. They are surgically placed into the jawbone. There are several things that you need to know about dental implant surgery.
Tips to Consider After Dental Implant Surgery
You should try to avoid touching the surgical area as much as possible. You can brush your teeth after surgery, but you will need to avoid coming in contact with the incision sites. Your dentist will tell you when you can brush the incision areas.
You can use warm salt water to keep your mouth clean. You will need to put anywhere from 1/4 tsp to 1 tsp of salt in eight ounces of water. Gently swish the salt water around your mouth for about five minutes. You can repeat this process two or three times per day.
If you choose to use a cold pack to reduce swelling, then you will need to apply the pack for 20 minutes at a time. Wait 20 minutes before using the ice pack again. You only need to do this for the first 24 hours.
Exercising after oral surgery can wait, it’s best to start back up when you’re fully healed, as well as getting the green light from your doctor. It is best for you to start off with low-impact exercise in order to minimize the risk of bleeding. Yoga, stretching exercises, walking and light strength training are examples of some of the exercises that you can do after your dental implant surgery. Exercise can help improve blood circulation. This can speed up the healing process.
Dental implant surgery can change your life for the better. However, there are several things that you will have to do in order to ensure that your surgery is a success.
For more information about dental implant aftercare, please contact Reedley Family Dental. We are here and ready to help.
Everyone responds differently to anesthesia. If you had a local anesthetic and feel alert, you might be able to drive home to begin your recovery. You might even be able to go back to work or do your normal activities. If you had general anesthesia or still feel drowsy, you’ll need someone to drive you home.
Most people have little to no pain after surgery. You’ll likely have swelling and mild discomfort for 3 or so days. Your mouth may need a few weeks to completely heal.
Follow your dentist’s instructions for a quicker recovery. Here are some tips for the first 3 days after surgery:
Dos:
- Use an ice pack on your face to curb swelling or skin color changes.
- Use moist heat for a sore jaw.
- Gently open and close your mouth to exercise your jaw.
- Eat soft foods like pasta, rice, or soup.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Brush your teeth starting the second day. Don’t brush against any blood clots.
- Take the drugs your doctor prescribes to ease pain or swelling.
- Call your doctor if you have a fever, or if your pain or swelling doesn’t improve.
Don’ts:
- Don’t drink through a straw. Sucking may loosen blood clots that help your mouth heal.
- Don’t rinse your mouth too harshly. Your doctor may suggest rinsing gently with saltwater.
- Don’t eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that may scratch your wounds.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking can slow your healing.
It is necessary to have an empty stomach before receiving general anesthesia. In most cases, patients are required to abstain from eating and drinking after midnight on the night before their scheduled surgery to reduce the chances of vomiting while under anesthesia.
When a person is under general anesthesia, the body does not work normally. Certain reflexes are relaxed, and if vomiting occurs, it may enter the lungs, leading to serious complications. Every precaution is taken to avoid this occurrence. Adhering to the “no food after midnight” rule is essential for patient safety.
The requirement may differ for those receiving regional or local anesthesia. Some dentists request that patients receiving regional anesthesia abstain from ingesting any food or liquid, just in case general anesthesia has to be used. Some sedatives also can induce nausea in sensitive individuals. A patient receiving local anesthesia without sedation for a minor procedure generally does not have any dietary restrictions, but this should always be discussed with the surgeon prior to surgery.
If you are concerned about general anesthesia, please give the dentists at Reedley Family Dental a call: (559) 637-0123.
Before your surgery, you were given an anesthetic to ensure your comfort. This anesthetic typically leaves your lips, teeth, and tongue feeling numb after the appointment. For this reason, you should avoid any chewing for two hours following surgery, or until the numbness has worn off completely.
These instructions are just a general guideline for extractions, implants and gum surgery. As every case is unique, please follow any other recommended instructions given by your dental professional.
Guidelines
- Apply an ice pack – 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off – for 2 hours following surgery to decrease pain and swelling.
- Keep your fingers and tongue away from the parts of your gums that were affected by the surgery.
- Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery. Twenty-four hours after surgery, you can rinse gently with mouthwash or a warm salt water solution; dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water and gently swish, then carefully spit (4-5 times per day is sufficient).
- It’s normal to experience some discomfort for a few days following surgery. To avoid nausea, don’t take pain medication on an empty stomach.
- If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infections are gone.
- Relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities for the first 24 hours following surgery.
- Once the numbness has worn off, you should eat. Nourishment is important to the healing process. Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, soft soups, ice cream, or soft-cooked eggs for the first 48 hours.
- Drink at least 8 large glasses of water or fruit juice each day.
- Before your surgery, you were given and anesthetic to ensure your comfort. This anaesthetic typically leaves your lips, teeth and tongue feeling numb after the appointment. For this reason, you should avoid any chewing for two hours following surgery, or until the numbness has worn off completely.
- Apply an ice pack – 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off – for 2 hours following surgery to decrease pain and swelling.
- Keep your fingers and tongue away from the parts of your gums that were affected by the surgery.
- Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery. Twenty-four hours after surgery, you can rinse gently with mouthwash or a warm salt water solution; dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water and gently swish, then carefully spit (4-5 times per day is sufficient).
- It’s normal to experience some discomfort for a few days following surgery. To avoid nausea, don’t take pain medication on an empty stomach.
- If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infections are gone.
- Relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities for the first 24 hours following surgery.
- Once the numbness has worn off, you should eat. Nourishment is important to the healing process. Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, soft soups, ice cream, or soft-cooked eggs for the first 48 hours.
- Drink at least 8 large glasses of water or fruit juice each day.
- Keep your head elevated with pillows to control bleeding. We will give you a supply of gauze sponges to place over the bleeding area; change them as necessary, and use them until the bleeding stops completely. You can also bite gently but firmly on a moist tea bag for 20 minutes if bleeding continues.
- Call our office if bleedings persist or increases.
- Continue cleaning the other areas of your mouth, flossing daily and brushing at least twice a day as you would normally.
It is normal to experience hot/cold sensitivity on the area treated
Oral cancer screening is an examination performed by a dentist or doctor to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth.
The goal of oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure.
Most dentists perform an examination of your mouth during a routine dental visit to screen for oral cancer. Some dentists may use additional tests to aid in identifying areas of abnormal cells in your mouth.
Medical organizations disagree on whether healthy people without risk factors for mouth cancer need oral cancer screening. No single oral exam or oral cancer screening test is proved to reduce the risk of dying of oral cancer. Still, you and your dentist may decide that an oral exam or a special test is right for you based on your risk factors.
Why it’s done
The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect mouth cancer or precancerous lesions that may lead to mouth cancer at an early stage — when cancer or lesions are easiest to remove and most likely to be cured.
But no studies have proved that oral cancer screening saves lives, so not all organizations agree about the benefits of an oral exam for oral cancer screening. Some groups recommend screening, while others don’t.
People with a high risk of oral cancer may be more likely to benefit from oral cancer screening, though studies haven’t clearly proved that. Factors that can increase the risk of oral cancer include:
- Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, among others
- Heavy alcohol use
- Previous oral cancer diagnosis
- History of significant sun exposure, which increases the risk of lip cancer
Ask Reedley Family Dental whether oral cancer screening is appropriate for you. Also ask about ways you can reduce your risk of oral cancer, such as quitting smoking and not drinking alcohol.
