After the procedure — care and recovery

Immediately after the procedure (crowns, veneers, implants), strict rules apply: • Ice packs — apply to the cheek for 20 minutes, then 20 minutes off. Repeat for 4–6 hours. This reduces swelling and discomfort. • Do not eat for 2–3 hours after the procedure (until anaesthesia wears off) — risk of biting your cheek or tongue. • First meals — only cool, soft foods: yoghurt, pudding, smoothies. • Do not rinse your mouth — aggressive rinsing can disrupt healing. • Do not smoke — nicotine drastically slows healing and increases complication risk. • Sleep with an elevated head — an extra pillow reduces swelling. The dentist will prescribe pain medication and possibly antibiotics — follow the instructions carefully.

After the first day, the situation usually stabilises: • Hygiene: Begin gentle brushing with a soft brush, avoiding the treatment areas. After 2–3 days, resume normal brushing. • Rinsing: From day two, use chlorhexidine (0.12%) or saline — 2–3 times daily after meals. • Diet: Gradually introduce softer foods — pasta, eggs, fish, cooked vegetables. Avoid crisps, nuts, hard bread. • Swelling: Maximum swelling typically appears on days 2–3 and gradually subsides. This is a normal response. • Activity: Avoid intense exercise, saunas, and swimming pools for the first week. Most patients return to work and normal activities within 3–5 days.

After the first week, most discomfort resolves, but healing continues: • Sensitivity: Mild sensitivity to hot and cold is normal and gradually fades. • Adjustment: New crowns or veneers may initially feel 'different' — this is normal. Your tongue and lips need a few weeks to adapt. • Diet: After 2 weeks, return to your normal menu. Continue avoiding extremely hard foods. • Check-up: Some clinics offer a remote check-up (photos via WhatsApp) after 2–4 weeks. For implants — osseointegration takes 3–6 months. During this time, avoid excessive loading on the implant side.

To ensure your crowns, veneers, or implants last for many years, follow these simple rules: • Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft or medium brush and non-abrasive toothpaste. • Floss daily — especially important for implants (special implant floss) and crowns (around the margins). • Visit your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and professional cleaning. • Avoid excessive loads — do not crack unshelled nuts, chew ice, or open packages with your teeth. • Night guard — mandatory if you have bruxism. • Limit staining products — coffee, red wine, tea. While ceramics resist staining, surrounding natural teeth may change colour. • Do not smoke — smoking harms implants and all dental work.

Most post-procedure symptoms are normal, but contact the DENTITRAVEL coordinator if: • Pain does not subside or worsens after 3–4 days despite medication. • Swelling does not decrease after 5–7 days or is increasing. • You develop a fever above 38°C. • Bleeding does not stop — light bleeding on day one is normal, but continuous bleeding is not. • A crown or veneer has loosened — do not attempt to fix it yourself, contact us. • You have any doubts — it is better to ask than to ignore symptoms. The coordinator is available via WhatsApp or email both during the stay in Antalya and after returning home. If needed, we arrange a remote consultation with the treating dentist or an on-site check-up.