Appointment Information



Sealant Instructions

front-of-office

Your child has just had a sealant applied to one or more of his/her teeth. In order to help insure the life of the sealants, we ask that you have your child follow the instructions below:

  • Do not chew ice cubes. Finely chopped ice is fine, but the cubes can cause the sealant to chip or come off the tooth/teeth.
  • Do not eat hard, sticky or chewy candy such as Jolly Ranchers, Caramel, Star Burst, Fruit Roll Ups, etc. Sugarless gum can be chewed.
  • Good Oral Hygiene is also important for your teeth. The sealant will protect the chewing surface of the tooth from decay, but you must have good brushing and flossing habits to protect the sides and in between the teeth.

Sleep Dentistry/Out-Patient Day Surgery

Outpatient General Anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs that would not work well under conscious sedation or I.V. sedation. General anesthesia renders your child completely asleep. This would be the same as if he/she was having their tonsils removed, ear tubes, or hernia repaired. This is performed in a hospital or outpatient setting only. While the assumed risks are greater than that of other treatment options, if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of treatment this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks. Most pediatric medical literature places the risk of a serious reaction in the range of 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 200,000, far better than the assumed risk of even driving a car daily. The inherent risks if this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment include tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to their developing adult teeth and possible life threatening hospitalization from a dental infection.

Prior to your appointment:
  • Please notify us of any change in your child’s health. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
  • You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking (prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications) and any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
  • Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
  • Your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the scheduled procedure and clear liquids ONLY (water, apple juice, Gatorade) for up to 6 hours prior to the appointment.
  • The child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the hospital or surgical site waiting room during the complete procedure.
After the appointment:
  • Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
  • If your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up. Wake your child every hour and encourage them to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
  • If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
  • Prior to leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be given a detailed list of "Post-Op Instructions" and an emergency contact number if needed.

Extractions

Your Child has had an Extraction of a Tooth Today - Please follow the instructions that are indicated below:

  • Do not rinse the mouth for several hours.
  • Do not drink any beverage containing carbonation for the remainder of the day.
  • Do not drink out of a straw for the remainder of the day.
  • Keep fingers and tongue away from the socket.
  • Use Tylenol for any discomfort as directed for the age of the patient.
  • Some bleeding following tooth extraction is to be expected. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs, have the patient bite down firmly on a piece of gauze over the extraction site for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat if necessary.

Post Operative Instructions
Please follow the instruction indicated below:
Your child has had a local anesthetic for the required dental treatment. Children do not always understand the effects of a local anesthetic, and may chew or suck the numb lip, tongue, or cheek. Although this is not a serious thing it is an uncomfortable feeling for your child. Please watch your child closely following the appointment for the duration of the anesthetic, usually one to two hours.

  • Dentistry has been done in the lower jaw. The tongue, lip, as well as the teeth and surrounding tissue will be numb and asleep for approximately 2 hours.
  • Dentistry has been done in the upper jaw. The lip, teeth and surrounding tissue will be numb and asleep for approximately 2 hours.
  • Keep your child on a liquid diet until the anesthetic has worn off.
  • Stainless Steel Crowns: If a stainless steel crown was placed today DO NOT allow your child to eat hard, sticky, chewy candies from now on. Such as Laffy Taffy, Jolly Ranchers, Fruit Roll-Ups, Now & Later, etc. If the crown should come off, please call the office to schedule recementation.

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Office Hours

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

Closed

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

Closed

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Every Other Saturday

Sunday:

Closed