Board-Certified Orthodontics & Invisalign Now Available
Dr. Michael Hairfield, who is both a General Dentist and a Board-Certified Orthodontist, is now providing Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment in our office, as well as evaluating patients for Invisalign Treatment. Invisalign “Teen” and Invisalign “Adult” can correct a malocclusion (improper bite) without braces in fewer appointments and with greater comfort. We are happy that our patients can now save the time and expense of commuting away from our community for multiple orthodontic appointments.

Nitrous Oxide & Oral Sedation
For fearful or anxious patients Dr. Fawcett can use nitrous oxide or prescribe a sedative pill that you will take before your visit. Someone will need to accompany you to our office, as you will be very drowsy. You will not be unconscious, but you will be very relaxed so your appointment will seem much easier. When your treatment is completed your companion can escort you home to relax.

Infection Control
Our staff strictly follows the recommendations of OSHA, EPA, and CDC for infection control to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. All clinical team members use protective wear such as gloves, masks, and eyewear. In the treatment rooms we disinfect all surfaces after each patient. We also replace protective plastic covers on all equipment that can be draped such as chairs and tubing. All equipment including dental handpieces is sterilized. We use a state of the art autoclave that kills bacteria and viruses by steam, heat, and pressure.

POST CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Crown & Bridge
TMJ
Surgery

LINKS
www.ada.org
www.aapd.org
www.dentalhealthonline.net      
www.perio.org
www.wohfkidsconnect.com

CROWN & BRIDGE INSTRUCTIONS

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TMJ INSTRUCTIONS

These simple instructions should help you break the vicious cycle of pain / tension that you are experiencing in your jaw muscles. Our goal is to decrease BOTH the pain and the tension so that the uncomfortable spasms in your jaw muscles can slowly lessen. It is important to follow each of these suggestions for the best results.

1. Soft diet only. No gum, steaks, etc.
2. Keep teeth apart. Teeth should be touching only 15-20 minutes a day during eating.
3. Apply moist heat 3 x daily - 20 minutes each. A hot washcloth with a heating pad over it works well. Try to do this before bedtime and when you first wake up in the morning.
4. Massage sides of face around jaw joint and temples.
5. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) every 3-4 hours.
6. It may be necessary to make a custom fitting Nightguard for you if these simple solutions are not helpful.
7. Call our office for further evaluation if pain and discomfort continues.

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ORAL SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS 

Things not to do:

1. Do not apply heat to the face at any time. This will increase swelling.
2. Avoid spitting, sucking (straws), and smoking for 48 hours. This creates a negative pressure in your mouth and tends to dislodge the blood clot. This leads to additional bleeding.
3. Avoid any sports or strenuous exercise for 24 hours. Physical activity causes the blood pressure to rise and may cause renewal of bleeding.

BLEEDING: It is normal for minor bleeding to occur for the first 24 hours following surgery. Place a piece of gauze over     the surgery site and bite firmly on the gauze for at least 30 minutes. DO NOT chew on it. If the bleeding continues, call our office.

MOUTH RINSE: Do not rinse for 24 hours after surgery. Then, after meals, gently rinse with warm salt water – 1 tsp salt to 8 ounces water. This will speed healing by maintaining a clean wound. Tooth brushing is also recommended if you are careful to avoid the wound.

EATING: You should have liquids and very soft foods for the first 24-48 hours following the surgery. Be careful not to chew hard foods near the surgical area.

SWELLING: It is normal to experience some degree of swelling. You can place ice over your face for 20-30 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours to reduce pain and swelling.

MEDICATIONS: Take all medications as directed. This is essential. The medications are prescribed specifically to control pain and infection. You may switch to Advil or Tylenol for discomfort when you no longer need prescription strength medications. If pain persists, please contact our office.

IMPACTED TEETH: The removal of impacted teeth is quite different than the extraction of erupted teeth. The following conditions are not uncommon with the removal of impacted teeth: 1) Difficulty in opening your mouth, 2) Pain while swallowing, and 3) Earache on the side of surgery.

If a lower impaction was removed, you may have prolonged numbness of the lower lip on the side from which the tooth was removed. This is almost always an infrequent, temporary condition. It is not disfiguring, just annoying. It may last a few days or occasionally for many months.

After removal, the adjacent teeth may realign themselves, causing some discomfort. Sores may develop at the corners of the mouth. These should be covered with a mild ointment such as Vaseline.

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