FAQs

Yes, you can click on the Curve Appointment link or Patient Services email above.

If you have not filled out your patient forms prior to your appointment we ask that you please arrive 20 minutes early to do so. Filling out your forms at your scheduled appointment time may result in a delay of any treatment you may be expecting that day.

A copy of your dental insurance card and a CURRENT list of your medications

At your initial visit, Dr. Montee will review your medical history and will consult with your cardiologist about your medications and the amount of time that you will need to be off of them prior to treatment.

The fact that your tooth doesn’t hurt is a good thing. Decay is not painful but will continue to spread until it is removed. It will not go away on its own. When a tooth does hurt, it means that the decay has reached your nerve and you most likely will require a root canal and crown to fixture problem. These are more expensive and will require multiple appointments. We want to act early to prevent the decay from becoming worse for you.

The short answer is that digital x-rays are much safer than traditional X-rays of the past. It takes much less radiation to produce the same quality image. Digital x-rays result in 70-80% lower doses of radiation. We use a portable handheld X-ray device and digital sensors. In the portable device, the x-ray beam is limited to a 6 cm diameter rather than the allowed 7 cm diameter often encountered on the wall-mounted x-ray units. This helps to decrease the radiation dose to the patient by an estimated 25 percent over traditional wall-mounted dental x-ray units. The handheld units are used with our direct digital sensors, which help to further decrease the radiation to you.

The American Dental Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) agree that emergency treatments, such as extractions, root canals or restorations can be safely performed during pregnancy and that delaying treatment may result in more complex problems.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women reaffirmed its committee opinion in 2017: “Patients often need reassurance that prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral conditions, including dental X-rays (with shielding of the abdomen and thyroid) … [is] safe during pregnancy.”

SUMMARY: During pregnancy, individuals may be at increased risk for oral conditions such as gingivitis and dental caries, and should be counseled by both their obstetrician and dentist on the importance of good oral hygiene throughout the pregnancy. Regular and emergency dental care, including the use of local anesthetics and radiographs, is safe at any stage during pregnancy.

Post Operative Extraction Instructions

1. Bite on the gauze with firm pressure for 15 minutes. Repeat if bleeding continues. Some oozing is considered normal. It may appear worse than it actually is as the blood mixes with saliva. If the bleeding continues for more than a few hours, pressure on a moistened tea bag can be used. Sleep elevated on two pillows and cover your pillow with a protective towel for the first few nights. For more involved surgery, such as impacted wisdom teeth, ice packs may be used off and on for 15 minute intervals in the first 24 hours.
   
2. Take all medications according to instructions on the package. Some moderate to severe swelling and bruising can be expected for the next few days. Expect golf ball sized swelling in the lower jaws.
   
3. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and clear juices. Do not drink carbonated or alcoholic beverages for several days as they can prevent normal clotting and the alcohol will potentiate
   the effects of your pain medications. Cool soft foods can be eaten for the first 24 hours – Jello, clear soups, milkshake, applesauce. As you feel able, return to your normal diet.
   
4. If the doctor placed sutures, they will dissolve over the next 7-10 days.
   
5. Adverse reactions: If you experience any unusual reactions such as itching, skin rash, breathing difficulties, severe stomach pain or anything else YOU FEEL that is unusual, stop all medications and contact us immediately. After normal office hours please call the cell number below.
   
6. “Dry Socket”: Dry socket is a painful condition that occurs typically around 4 to 5 days post extraction. You will experience aching pain that may radiate to your jaws and ears. Your medication will not be effective and calming the pain. The extraction site will look empty as your blood clot will have disappeared. This is a common issue and if you experience this please call the office so that we can bring you in to have the site packed with medication.

If your natural teeth were removed in our office, please follow the home care instruction listed
below to care for your mouth after the procedure.

HOME CARE AFTER TOOTH REMOVAL:

Pain and Swelling
It is best to leave the immediate denture in place for 24 hours after your teeth have been
removed. The dentures act as a bandage to minimize bleeding and prevent swelling. Once
swelling has occurred you may not be able to replace the denture until the swelling subsides.
Ice packs placed on the face in the extraction areas for 10-15 minute intervals will help
minimize pain and swelling.

Please follow pain medication instructions prescribed by your doctor.

Rinsing
Do not rinse your mouth during the first 24 hours after the procedure, as this may dislodge the
clots in the tooth socket. “Dry Sockets” can occur, please follow all recommendations to
reduce your risk. If you feel a need to remove the denture remember to rinse it quickly with
COLD water and reinsert it immediately. It is recommended that you place a towel on your
pillow because it is normal to experience some “oozing” of blood overnight.

Diet
During the first 24 hours, your diet should consist of non carbonated, cold beverages (e.g.
iced tea) and soft bland food. Resume your normal diet as healing allows.

Suture Removal
The sutures (stitches) that your doctor placed will dissolve in 7-10 days. You will be
scheduled for a follow up examination. If needed, your doctor will place a soft material in your
denture to make it snug and comfortable as it heals.

Healing
Over the next 6-12 months you WILL have many changes in your mouth. Removing teeth will
result in your bone changing size and shape requiring time to heal. Your doctor may
recommend a denture adhesive to help hold your denture in place while you heal.

Home Care for Immediate Dentures
Rinse your dentures with COLD water only. Use only an ADA approved denture cleaning
solution with a denture brush on your new denture. NO TOOTHPASTE! Clean your dentures
twice a day. When your denture is out of your mouth, place in water to prevent drying out of
the acrylic. After the first 24 hours, leave your dentures OUT. Your gums need exposure to
oxygen to minimize infection and to heal properly.

BITE
Your dentures may feel uncomfortable during the first week of healing. You will experience
increased salivation, excess fluid in your mouth and possible gagging for the first few days.
This is NORMAL. Your doctor will adjust your dentures over the next few appointments to
make you feel more comfortable. Please be patient as you heal. The dentures will not feel like
your natural teeth. We are here to assist you in adjusting to your new denture.

Chewing
You will need to learn to chew your food on BOTH sides of your mouth. There may be certain
limitations depending on your diet. There are four major muscles and several minor muscles
that will need to ADAPT over time to your new dentures.

Speech
You may notice a LISP or SLURRING of your speech. This is normal and should disappear
as you adapt to your dentures. Practice reading or speaking aloud. Your doctor may need to
adjust your denture if this continues.

Remember
The lower denture is held in place by your TONGUE, LOWER RIDGE and your CHEEKS.
Some patients master this technique quickly and for others it takes time. There is NO
possibility of suction like the upper denture. If you have a large amount of bone loss a small
amount of adhesive may always be necessary. Dental implants may be necessary for patients
that are unable to retain their lower denture.

To maintain good oral health denture patients should continue to visit the dentist for routine
examinations and oral cancer screenings.

*********** Immediate Dentures
Immediate dentures are just that- IMMEDIATE. These dentures are created to provide you
teeth immediately following extraction of your natural dentition. Over time your bone will
change resulting in a poor fit of your immediate denture. This is expected. After 12 months,
your bone levels will stabilize and you will need to return to the office to have another set of
dentures made to fit the new bone level.

Congratulations on the completion of your implant treatment. It may take a short time to become accustomed to the “feel” of your new tooth. Most patients adapt very quickly though. When you leave the office your implant is ready to use. You will be scheduled for post-op evaluation of your implant within several weeks. At that time, we will also review oral hygiene instructions. Thereafter, your implant & crown will be checked on your regular exam appointments. Any discomfort should be reported promptly and should you feel that you need to be seen for any reason prior to your next scheduled visit, please call us for an appointment.

1. You may brush the implant crowns or abutments gently with any over the counter toothpaste.
   
2. Floss bridgework or crowns normally. Implant denture abutments may be gently brushed also. Irrigation devices like a Water-Pik may be used directing at a 45 degree angle at mid-level setting.
   
3. For implant retained dentures, start eating slowly, choosing a soft diet and small bites. Gradually, you can adjust your diet as able. Denture sore spots are common and if they should develop, please call the office for adjustments. Clean and soak dentures with normal denture cleansers.

Post-operative Instructions

1. It is normal to feel some tenderness in the area for a few days after your root canal treatment as your body undergoes the natural healing process. You may also feel some tenderness in your jaw from keeping it open for an extended period of time. These symptoms are temporary and usually respond very well to over-the-counter pain medications.
   
2. Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your root canal treatment has been completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure that lasts more than a few days, contact Dr. Montee at the number below.
   
3. When the anesthesia wears off, if your bite feels “off” or you feel like you are hitting your tooth prematurely, please return to the office so that we can adjust the bite.
   
4. Contact Dr. Montee right away if you develop any of the following:
   
   
   • A visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth
     
   • An allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching
     
   • A return of your original symptoms (throbbing, radiating pain)
     
5. Root canal treatment is only one step in returning your tooth to full function. A proper final restoration of the tooth, in most cases a crown, is extremely important in ensuring long-term success. A properly treated and restored tooth can last as long as your natural teeth

We have just finished your new composite or resin (white) filling. Here is some important post- operative information:

1. If we used a local anesthetic to numb the area we treated, this numbness in your lips, teeth and tongue might last for several hours after the procedure. When the area is “waking up,” your lip will feel warmth and /or tingling. To avoid damage to your tongue and lips, you should avoid or be cautious with any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.
   
2. It is normal to experience some sensitivity to heat and cold (lasts one second and gone) and pressure after your appointment. It is not uncommon for the tooth to be sensitive for several weeks up to 3 months. As long as you notice improvement, the tooth is healing. There is also a possibility to experience some soreness in your gums.
   
3. White fillings set immediately after they are placed, so as soon as the numbness from the anesthetic subsides, you can chew normally. If your bite feels uneven, or if you have any questions or concerns about your new filling being sensitive to chewing and/or flossing, be sure to give us a call.
   
4. Sometimes, due to the effects of the local anesthesia, it is quite difficult to make sure that your bite is exactly right. If you feel any discomfort in chewing, please let us know. A minor 30-second adjustment is usually all it takes to make you comfortable. Don’t wait too long! Teeth can become quite sensitive if the bite is “high;” because you can generate in excess of 40,000 pounds per square inch when chewing on your back teeth. This can cause irritation or bruising to the middle of the tooth (blood supply or nerve) and around the root of the tooth (ligaments); which can result in pain on biting, cold sensitivity, and in extreme cases root canals. If the filling feels high, come in for an adjustment. Don’t wait!

If you have any questions, please feel free to call at any time.