Frequently Asked Questions

After surgery

(Implants, sinus lift and bone graft, prosthetic, retained tooth extraction)

What do I do if I have a hemorrhage?

Hemorrhages after surgery can sometimes occur. You should chew gauze, putting pressure on the zone. Rinsing has an opposing effect to coagulation, making the hemorrhage long-last. Do not rinse. If the hemorrhage does not stop, please contact us.

What can I do to calm pain after implant or sinus lifts and bone graft surgery?

Apply cold compression the external side of the wound during the first 24 to 48 hours in order to reduce the inflammation and recovery time. You can also eat ice-cream, trying to place it so that it melts on the wound, with a frequency of 20 minutes or an hour, as you prefer.

You may also take analgesics indicated by the professional since they act as anti-inflammatory drugs.

If you feel a lot of pain, please contact us.

After extractions

What can I do to calm pain after an extraction?

Pain after an extraction is normal. If it is an intense pain, please contact us.

What is an alveolitis?

A local infection sometimes takes place because the bone doesn’t bleed enough so as to form a coagulum, being exposed to bacteria from the environment. Known as ‘alveolitis’, it is a considerable pain, lasting more than 3 days after the extraction. You should contact a professional if you find yourself in this situation. The application of gauze with antiseptics that has to be changed every 48 hours by the dentist is the solution.

What should I eat or do after an extraction?

  • Eat soft nourishment
  • Avoid eating or drinking anything that is too hot
  • Chew with the opposite side to the extraction.
  • Avoid big physical efforts and exercise on the first 3 days after the extraction
  • Do not rinse strongly with water. Strong rinsing can remove the coagulum.

After a dental cleaning (periodontal treatment)

Should I brush my teeth although my gums hurt and bleed?

Yes, you should normally brush your teeth after the treatment. Gums bleeding is normal for it is going on a cicatrization process. Keep in mind that if you have any doubts, it is always better to brush your teeth than not to.

Is the retraction of the gums normal after the treatment?

Yes, it is normal if there was a periodontal disease. By going under treatment and properly brushing teeth, the gums will reduce their inflammation and will retract until a level in agreement with the bone that surrounds the tooth. Since this bone is lost with the periodontal disease, the gums become retracted.

Is it normal to show sensibility to cold and heat after a periodontal treatment?

Yes, it is normal. When the necks of teeth are exposed to the environment after a treatment, the teeth turn more sensible. As a solution, you should brush your teeth with toothpaste for sensible teeth. In addition to this, the professional may sometimes prescribe a special rinse.

Whitening

I am having a whitening treatment, will my teeth be white?

The results of a teeth whitening treatment depend on many factors. The patients who have restorations with a halogen lamp (composite) and crowns will find their results compromised.

While crowns cannot be whitened, composites get whitened in a very low rate. Generally speaking, we would say that the grade of whitening achieved depends on how thick the tooth enamel is. The thicker the enamel, the whiter they get. Younger patients usually have thicker enamel, so they generally show better results.

Is it normal to show sensibility after the treatment?

Yes, it is normal. The pulp can sometimes get retracted after a treatment. Sensibility vanishes before 48 hours after the treatment.

Which nourishment should I not eat after teeth whitening treatment?

Strong pigmented food must be avoided at least for the following 3 days after the treatment. Although every nourishment has pigments, some of them has them stronger:

  • Bit-root
  • Chocolate
  • Red wine
  • Coffee, tea, mate
  • Tomato sauce

How can I keep my teeth with the same tone after a whitening treatment?

The accomplished tone after whitening usually fades with time. Ways to avoid this are: by using a bucket adapted to your teeth with a whitening chemical (consult with your dentist), whitening pastes and rinses (they only act on the surfaces of the teeth).

Root canals

I had a root canal done and it hurts, does that mean it was done incorrectly?

No. It is not possible to determine if root canal therapy was properly done or not by the pain. The radio-graphic image will help the professional determine if the treatment was successful. A root canal is “well done” when this radio-graphic image shows a high probability of the tissues surrounding the dental piece remaining healthy, or healing in case they were damaged.

The post-treatment pain is a consequence of the inflammation of the tissues that surround the point of the tooth root, which is generated by the instrumentation of the root canals, the liquids used, etc. This pain is intensified with pressure, and it can get very strong. If the pain is very strong, you should contact your dentist.

Removable denture

I had a removable denture done and it hurts, is it normal?

During the first days of use of the removable denture it is almost for sure that it will cause some kind of discomfort. In this kind of treatment, this is always contemplated, and there are therefore 2 or 3 sessions dedicated to making accurate adjustments.

In case you feel pain after the collocation of the removable denture, you can take it out. Although you will have to collocate it back at least 4 hours previous to the visit to the dentist.

Implants

My implant moves, what should I do?

There is generally confusion between the mobility of the implant and the mobility of the abutment (the post shaped as a screw that twists inside the implant). Please consult with your dentist.

My implant hurts, what should I do?

There are many causes for this pain. If it is after the surgery, pleas consult with your dentist. If it is after the crown was collocated, it is probably a peri-implantitis. A peri-implantitis is a deficiency in the implant hygiene, which produces a loss of bone around the implant and, in case it is not treated on time, it can end with the loss of the implant. Please consult with your dentist.

Dental implants Buenos Aires patients have trusted their oral health to Drs. Pelcman’s Practice for more than 30 years. As a talented restorative and cosmetic dentist in Argentina, Dr. Samuel Pelcman, together with his son Dr. Martin Pelcman, provides a range of treatments to enhance the health and beauty of his patients’ smiles. Over the years he has helped many Buenos Aires teeth whitening, dental crowns and dentures patients. In addition, he is regarded as a top Argentina periodontist.