aftercare & advice
composite contouring
Composite contouring enhances the shape and appearance of your teeth, with results aesthetically lasting 5–7 years when well maintained. To preserve the aesthetics and durability of your new smile, please follow these guidelines and recommendations.
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Avoid highly pigmented spices such as turmeric, saffron and curry for the first 24 hours while surfaces settle. Coffee, tea and red wine are less of an immediate concern but will contribute to gradual surface staining over time with cumulative exposure. Rinsing with water after consumption helps reduce this.
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Avoid biting into hard or crunchy foods like ice, nuts, or hard sweets on your front teeth. Biting into lightly crispy foods like an Apple or Toast is not a problem.
Do not use your teeth as a tool to open packaging or tear tape or engage in habits such as biting on fingernails and chewing pens, as this will cause undue chipping or fractures.
Make good use of your retainers, whitening trays or hard splint as your night-guard if you clench or grind your teeth during sleep to prevent accelerated wear or chips/fractures.
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Sensitivity to cold is normal after extensive dentistry and will settle within a few weeks.
Your gums may feel a little sore due to the precision work involved. This is temporary.
Your bite will feel new but should already be comfortable based on the checks we completed at your fitting appointment. If anything feels persistently high or uncomfortable, please let us know.
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To keep your smile bright, apply your prescription whitening gel to the front and back of the treated teeth 1–2 times per month within your custom whitening trays.
Avoid whitening toothpastes or abrasive products like charcoal toothpastes, as they introduce microscopic scratches to the surface that dulls the overall shine of the composite resin.
The colour of the composite resin will not change itself with prescription whitening, the aim is to maintain the tooth beneath the composite as the majority of the colour is still determined by the tooth itself.
Avoid excessive frequency of high staining foods and drinks (coffee, red wine, curry, etc.), and rinse with water after consumption to reduce surface colour accumulation over time.
Avoid smoking as the surface is more prone to stain adhesion than natural enamel or porcelain.
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The composite surface is shiny and hard, but as it is softer than enamel, it will gradually dull over time.
Schedule annual composite conditioning with non-abrasive polishing to maintain a smooth, polished appearance. This can be combined with your routine check-up and hygiene appointments.
If any chipping or fractures occurs, composite can be precisely repaired and added to. The repair cost will depend on the severity of the damage.
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As the aesthetic lifespan of 5-7 years reaches its limit, options include resurfacing, replacing, or transitioning to porcelain restorations for enhanced durability and aesthetics.
Regular dental check-ups will help monitor wear and determine when refinements may be needed.
Regular dental hygiene appointments will remove the gradual stains that can accumulate, as well as ensure the gum health surrounding the restorations are in harmony.
At these appointments are where composite are then routinely conditioned to ensure high lustre.
Maintain great oral hygiene to prevent unnecessary surface damage or stain accumulation.
porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers crafted from lithium disilicate (e.max) are the closest material to natural enamel in both appearance and strength. With proper care, your veneers will can last 15 years or more. To protect your investment and maintain your new smile, please follow these guidelines and recommendations.
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Sensitivity to cold is normal after extensive dentistry and will settle within a few weeks.
Your gums may feel a little sore due to the precision work involved. This is temporary.
Your bite will feel new but should already be comfortable based on the checks we completed at your fitting appointment. If anything feels persistently high or uncomfortable, please let us know.
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Avoid biting into very hard foods like ice, nuts or boiled sweets directly on your front teeth. Biting into lightly crispy foods like apples or toast is not a problem.
Do not use your teeth as tools to open packaging, tear tape or bite fingernails, as this can cause chips or fractures.
If you have been prescribed a hard splint or night guard, please adhere to our recommendations. This is especially important if grinding or clenching previously contributed to the wear that required porcelain.
If your retainer or night guard is lost or damaged, let the clinic know promptly so we can fabricate a replacement to protect your new smile.
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All toothpastes are suitable for porcelain veneers. There are no restrictions unless very abrasive (like charcoal toothpastes).
Please floss and use interdental brushes as shown and recommended at your hygiene appointments.
All surfaces are fully cleansable. There is no need to worry about damaging or debonding your veneers when our bonding techniques are gold standard.
Treat your veneers much like natural enamel. Brush twice daily with an electric toothbrush and clean between teeth daily.
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Porcelain does not change colour over time, so whitening the veneers themselves is not necessary.
In cases where the starting colour of your teeth has been camouflaged, the back surfaces remain natural enamel. Whitening gel will penetrate through to brighten the internal tooth structure and maintain colour harmony.
If advised by our team, apply whitening gel to the back of your teeth through your custom trays or retainers following the instructions provided.
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Porcelain veneers do not require conditioning like composite. Treat them like natural teeth and we will assess them like natural teeth.
Regular dental check-ups allow us to monitor your veneers, your bite and the surrounding gum health.
Regular hygiene appointments will keep the margins clean and your gums healthy.
Should any surface appear tarnished or become damaged unexpectedly, please let our team know so we can help.
dental implants
Following our recommended maintenance and hygiene protocols ensures the long-term health of your dental implant. Consistent oral hygiene at home and regular professional check-ups allow us to monitor your implant and address any potential issues early.
Download our implant aftercare guide and hygiene programme here.
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Please rest for a few hours following your treatment and avoid strenuous exercise or excessive bending for the rest of the day. We recommend avoiding any physical training for at least 2 to 3 days, avoiding extreme sports such as scuba diving or boxing and swimming for 7 days.
Smoking and vaping should be avoided for at least 24 hours if not 7 days as it can hinder the body's natural healing process.
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To reduce post-operative swelling we suggest using an icepack on the external cheek surface for the first 24 hours. You can alternate cycles of cryotherapy, keeping the ice for 15 to 20 minutes and then removing it for 5 to 10 minutes, for at least 2 to 3 hours during the first day. The more you do this the more you will reduce further swelling.
Pleasee take any specific medication such as antibiotics or steroids as prescribed. These help manage inflammation and support healing.
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Avoid very hot fluids, alcohol and hard or chewy foods for the first 48 hours. Choose cool drinks and soft or minced foods. Avoid sucking at or interfering with the implant site with your tongue.
After 2 days have passed you can start to gradually re-introduce your normal diet being mindful with very warm and hard foods.
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Do not rinse your mouth for at least 48 hours after treatment. You can brush your teeth, just allow the fluid to fall gently out.
After 48 hours you can rinse your mouth gently so as not to disturb any blood clot that may have formed. A gentle salt rinse may be used, one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, three times daily after mealtimes for 3 to 5 days.
Alternatively you can rinse with a Corsodyl mouthwash twice daily for 3 to 5 days. Please be mindful not to rinse vigorously for 7 days.
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You will experience some discomfort after the procedure which can be managed with pain relief medication. Please avoid aspirin-based products due to their tendency to promote bleeding. We recommend taking either or both of the following.
Paracetamol 1g (2 x 500mg) every 6 to 8 hours. Maximum dose 4g per day.
Ibuprofen 400mg (2 x 200mg) every 6 to 8 hours. Maximum dose 2.4g per day.
Please take any specific medication such as antibiotics or steroids as prescribed.
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Should slight bleeding occur sit upright with head and shoulders raised. Apply pressure using a small wet pad of gauze, given to you at your appointment, or a wet clean cotton handkerchief clamped firmly between the jaws for 15 minutes. Repeat if necessary.
If excessive bleeding, undue pain or swelling occurs please contact the team for advice on 07921 844 948.
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Peri-implant mucositis is soft-tissue inflammation that can occur around the implant in the same way gingivitis affects natural teeth. Signs include bleeding, swelling and pus formation, caused by plaque bacteria. If left untreated it will result in bone loss around the implant and greatly reduce the success and lifespan of your dental implant.
There is strong evidence of increased risk if you have a history of gum disease, poor plaque control and no regular maintenance care after implant treatment. Smokers and patients who suffer from diabetes may also have higher risk indicators and require a more robust hygiene routine.
Peri-implant mucositis can be reversed if effective plaque control is established.
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It is very important to follow our recommended maintenance and hygiene protocols to ensure the long-term health of your dental implant. This involves consistent oral hygiene practices and regular professional check-ups.
For single implant crowns we recommend routine hygiene every 4 to 6 months.
For partial bridges, full-arch bridges and overdentures we recommend routine hygiene every 4 months and in-depth hygiene every 6 to 12 months. In-depth hygiene involves removal of the prosthesis by the dentist to better evaluate implant health, mobility and soft tissues prior to cleaning.
non-surgical periodontal therapy
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Excellent oral hygiene is essential for healing and preventing bacterial recolonisation following NSPT
Use your electric toothbrush and interdental brushes as demonstrated. Find links to the recommendation on our shopping list.
For the first 24–48 hours, avoid interdental cleaning and brush gently if deeper areas feel tender.
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Corsodyl mouthwash can support healing for 2 to 5 days following treatment.
Rather than rinsing the whole mouth, use your interdental brushes as a carrier by dipping them into the mouthwash and applying directly to the treated sites.
This targeted approach delivers the antiseptic where it is needed while avoiding the surface staining that prolonged whole-mouth rinsing can cause.
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Wait until the anaesthetic has fully worn off before eating or drinking to prevent accidental injury.
Avoid spicy or acidic foods, as they may cause irritation.
Stick to soft foods like pasta and rice for the first 24–48 hours.
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Mild soreness at the anaesthetic injection sites or deep-cleaned areas is normal and to be expected
Teeth with existing bone loss may feel temporarily looser but will stabilise as the gums respond
Pain relief options include Ibuprofen or Paracetamol, cold compresses, and warm salt water rinses.
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In 4–8 weeks, we will reassess your periodontal health. This includes:
Measuring new pocket depths
Removing any remaining or newly formed deposits
Reviewing your oral hygiene and providing updated recommendations
Discussing hygiene recall intervals and possible referral to a periodontist if required
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As your gums heal, the cells and collagen of the gums regain their elasticity and tightness. This process changes their appearance when compared to puffy inflamed gums prior to NSPT. You may therefore notice:
Gum recession, exposing root dentine, which may feel initially sensitive to cold.
Black triangles (small dark spaces between teeth) due to gum tightening and reattachment
These changes are expected and beneficial, as they help stabilise teeth with previous bone loss. If the appearance of black triangles concerns you, we can provide and plan for the use of composite contouring to improve aesthetics once your gum health is stable.