Things to know after your treatment at our dental practice
Caring for Your Night Guard
- Before wearing your night guard, run it under warm water for one minute to soften it and prevent cracking. Be sure the water is not hot, or it may distort the night guard.
- To keep your night guard clean, brush it daily with a toothbrush and a mild liquid soap. Then, dry and store it. Soak your night guard with an enzymatic denture-cleaning tablet, such as Efferdent, once a week. You may also bring your night guard with you to your hygiene appointments at our office so we may clean it in our ultrasonic bath.
- Keep your night guard away from pets.
- Please discontinue the use of your night guard and call us if you notice increased soreness in your muscles or teeth. Your night guard may need an adjustment.
Bleaching
- If the tube has two sections, you may need to place a mixing tip to the end of the syringe.
- Apply a thin line of bleaching gel to the portion of the tray that will sit on the front surfaces of your teeth.
- Place the trays over your teeth. Wipe any extra gel that has been pushed out of the tray with your finger. You should not have any gel sitting on your gums. If a great deal of gel was pushed out of the tray, you are applying too much and should use less gel during future applications.
- Wear the trays for one to two hours as advised. Wearing the tray overnight will not significantly increase the brightness of your teeth but can increase the sensitivity you may experience after bleaching.
- Remove trays and rinse the gel off of your teeth. Clean trays with cotton swab and rinse.
- If you experience sensitivity, you can treat it with MI Paste (available at our office). You should alternate your use of the MI paste and the bleaching gel nightly.
- Once you have completed a full two-week session of bleaching, touch-ups should be done for one or two days every six months.
Crowns
- During your first visit, the crown will be prepared. At this appointment, your permanent crown will be cemented.
- If an anesthetic was used, be careful not to bite your tongue, cheek, or lip. Anesthetic usually lasts for about three hours.
- It is normal to have a mild sensitivity to temperature after the crown is prepared. If it is moderate to severe sensitivity, please contact our office and let us know.
- After the permanent crown is cemented, it is possible to have some temperature sensitivity due to the cementation process. If this sensitivity persists for over six weeks or seems to be worsening, please contact our office.
- If your bite with your permanent crown feels off, please contact the office ASAP. We can still adjust that bite for you.
Fillings
- Anesthetic usually lasts for approximately three hours, so please be careful not to bite your tongue, cheek, or lip.
- Once the anesthetic has worn off, the filling will be hard and you may eat normally.
- It is normal to have a little sensitivity to hot or cold. It should subside within six weeks. If this sensitivity persists or worsens, please call our office.
- Your bite should feel normal after the filling is done. If your bite feels off, please contact our office ASAP so that we may adjust it for you. If the bite is high, you may notice some sensitivity when chewing or biting.
Extractions
FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY WILL PREVENT NEEDLESS WORRY AND MINIMIZE THE CHANCE OF POST-SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS.
- Expect some discomfort, swelling, and oozing of blood over the next 24 hours. This is normal.
- Bite on gauze for about 30 minutes. Discard and place a fresh piece of gauze over the wound for another 15 minutes. If excessive bleeding occurs, continue biting on the gauze for a total of one and a half to two hours, replacing the gauze every half hour.
- DURING THE FIRST 24 HOURS:
* DO NOT smoke—the suction may dislodge the blood clot, which can cause intense pain.
* DO NOT rinse your mouth or disturb the blood clot in the socket in any way.
* AVOID sucking and excessive spitting.
* AVOID excessively hot drinks (such as coffee or tea), alcoholic beverages, and carbonated beverages.
* If you notice swelling, place an ice pack (or a cold, moist towel) over your face near the surgical area—on for 15 minutes, off for 15, on again, etc. - AFTER 24 HOURS:
* Rinse gently with warm salt water (one tsp. of salt to one glass of water) five to six times each day for three to four days.
* Now, use a warm pack for any residual swelling—on for 15 minutes, off for 30 minutes, on again, etc.
* In the case of extreme pain, excessive bleeding, or swelling, call our office IMMEDIATELY.
Contact us for comprehensive care in Mill Valley
The team at the dental office of Dr. Gabriela Garcia-Rojas, DDS, welcomes the chance to help you maintain a great smile.
Contact our office today to schedule your dentistry appointment!
Have questions? Ready to schedule your appointment? We're here!
Gabriela and the team are awesome and make going to the dentist a great experience considering it's not exactly everyone's favorite thing to do. They've elevated the standard of care here in Mill Valley and utilize the latest in technology as well. Being a bit of a gadget person, I was quite impressed with their laser teeth cleaning setup, very cool tech!
Justin K. - Google Review
See what our patients have to say about our dental practice
I can't compliment Gabriela and her staff enough after my first visit to her practice since the advent of COVID. The staff was all highly professional, polite, and respectful with particular attention paid to my safety and comfort. It was a first-rate experience especially when one considers the challenging environment in which we are living at this time.
Anthony V., Yelp Review
Thorough, professional, knowledgeable, and highly skilled staff who use the most modern equipment. Impressive service-oriented approach and teamwork!
Masae K., Google Review
I am thrilled to have Dr. Gabriela Garcia - Rojas as my dentist. She fulfills all my requirements and expectations. Her expertise, consideration for comfort, and security of her patients, her responsible attitude towards treatment of wastes, her utmost respect for others makes her the best around. Her staff is top-notch, always smiling, and giving consideration to the patient. Her devotion to a painless appointment is highly regarded. I refer all my clients and friends to Dr. Garcia Rojas and am confident that I will never be disappointed. We are so fortunate to have her.
Jean M., Web Review
She's been taking care of our pearly whites for 8 years, and trust me, with our big family we've put her team through every test: from a simple cleaning to composite work, night guards, e-rays, chipped teeth, nervous patients, hard to get into the office patients... She's gone through a wringer if tests and passed them all with flying colors.
I am always in awe at how Dr. Garcia-Rojas is constantly learning about the latest developments in dental care, keeping up with technology, and all while welcoming you with her warm and calming demeanor, always.
Laura D., Facebook Review
I have been going to Dr. Garcia-Rojas for years. She's an incredible dentist who was able to get me over my phobia of the dentist because of how she cares about her patients. Today was my first visit since the COVID-19 outbreak. They have gone to amazing lengths to protect their patients in that office. I felt safe and well cared for and they have really gone the distance above and beyond what the CDC has even recommended. Thank you to Dr. Garica-Rojas and your entire team for the many years of dentistry.
Stacy A., Google Review
Dr. Garcia-Rojas and the team, even in the middle of the COVID pandemic, meet the challenge and make you feel like patient needs, comfort and safety are first. They are the best!
Joe P., Google Review
Gabriela and her staff have done a very thorough job of ensuring a very safe environment. Most effective COVID I’ve seen yet.
Doug R., Google Review
I've been going to Dr. Garcia Rojas for quite some time. She is professional, of course, but more important to me, she is down to earth and sincere, and explains procedures and listens to questions.
Not only is Dr. Garcia Rojas an excellent dentist, and all of her staff are also pleasant and extremely helpful.
Dr. Garcia Rojas and her staff make going to the dentist, which is usually not fun, a not so bad after all experience.
I highly recommend Dr. Garcia Rojas.
Lois L., Yelp Review
I have been going to Dr. Garcia-Rojas for about 10 years. She is a highly skilled dentist, always on top of the latest techniques and treatments. Dr. Differing has been a great addition. The doctors and staff are super accommodating and friendly.
Steven P., Google Review
Gabriela and the team are awesome and make going to the dentist a great experience considering it's not exactly everyone's favorite thing to do. They've elevated the standard of care here in Mill Valley and utilize the latest in technology as well. Being a bit of a gadget person, I was quite impressed with their laser teeth cleaning setup, very cool tech!
Justin K., Google Review
It was our first time at this gorgeous high-tech dental facility in the heart of Mill Valley to meet with Dr. Cooper Differding and Dr. Gabriela Garcia-Rojas. It was an experience like neither of us have had at a dental office because of the advanced technology they use. Experienced and friendly staff gave us thorough exams using state of the art procedures and equipment. They left no stone unturned. I was even diagnosed with a life-altering condition and told about a treatment plan! I never knew that snoring, clenching teeth, and acid reflex could all be related...and deadly if not treated; leading to the lack of oxygen to the brain, early dementia, enamel erosion from stomach acids, obesity, and even diabetes! Most enjoyable teeth cleaning ever...with no discomfort! Our experience with these delightful people was not only pleasurable but educational as well.
Lisa C., Google Review
These folks are the real deal. They have the latest tech in dentistry with staff that is really competent and more importantly actually cares about their patient's dental health.
Paul B., Google Review
They are awesome. They’ve been my dentist for years.
Tamara F., Google Review
Excellent professional, friendly, warm service from everyone in the office. I have been going here for over two years and will go nowhere else. All the work I have had done here has been excellent. It has also been thoroughly explained to me, which I really like. I give an immense to the treatment provided by Dr. Garcia-Rojas and her wonderful staff. My wife and mother in law go here now as well.
John W., Google Review
Lisa and I had our first visit with Dr. Differding and the staff back in early February. What an amazing experience! Strange to say about a visit to the dentist...right? 🙂
The office is filled with sunlight and it's reflected in the smiles of all the staff members. Beautifully designed suite. State of the art equipment for top-notch professionals. You can't find a more knowledgeable group of technicians.
Everyone treats you with the utmost respect and care. I had the most thorough dental exam in my life. Dr. Cooper Differding is a childhood friend of our boys. It's been a joy to watch him grow into this fine man and we are so proud that his hard work and years of medical schooling has paid off. Cooper has partnered up with Dr. Gabriela Garcia-Rojas, who is another gem.
Elmer C., Yelp Review
I have been very pleased with Dr. Garcia-Rojas and her office. Everyone is friendly. I actually look forward to going and getting a cleaning because the hygienist is really helpful, not judgemental, and has brand new cleaning equipment which does not hurt at all. I love the fact that the hygienist looks for any problems and calls the doctor in rather than making another appointment. Dr. Garcia-Rojas gives a lot of attention to detail in her work such as the crown she did for me.
Marti B., Yelp Review
Another good visit to this terrific practice. A comfortable, fast, thorough cleaning from Claudia. And Shay had laid out clearly what would and wouldn't be covered by the ever confusing world of insurance. Love this group of people and practitioners, and they seem to really like what they do too.
James K., Yelp Review
Sincerely one of the best practices I've ever been to, and I've moved around a bit. The practice is very well run. Both dentists are extremely knowledgeable, kind, and thorough, and the hygienists are excellent. They recently moved to a new building so everything is updated and clean. Within two visits I started moving my family over too. The support staff is very kind, funny, and competent as well. The whole place is calm and focused. I've had two crowns and an old one fixed, a new bite-plate, cleanings and scaling over the past year or so. Dr. Garcia-Rojas has come in when the office was closed just to make adjustments. I think they all just like what they do. A rare treat these days.
James K., Yelp Review
I've been going to Dr. Garcia-Rojas ever since I was a little kid. She is top-notch. Her attention to detail is impressive. The whole staff is extremely professional and friendly. They are very upfront and honest with their billing. I saw Dr. Differding today for the first time and he is top-notch as well. Throughout the procedure, he would explain every step in a very kind and patient way. He's also a local...pretty cool that he stayed around to practice in his hometown!
Steven A., Yelp Review
Dr. Differding was amazing. He could not have been nicer or more accommodating to my requests. He thoroughly explained everything and answered all questions if a friendly manner. Staff and office were really wonderful as well. Highly recommend.
Cathy L., Yelp Review
After seeing the same dentist for nearly 20 years in SF, I decided to try someone closer to home here in Mill Valley. I chose Dr. Garcia-Rojas' office based on Yelp reviews. Wow. I can't begin to describe how superb the experience was. The professionalism, care, attention to detail, and thoroughness of this staff was an order of magnitude better than my previous dentist. I came away not only with a set of sparkling clean teeth but a whole new understanding of dental health and what I need to be aware of to maintain my health. The staff works together in harmony, providing an outstanding customer experience. It's rare to find a health care provider these days that takes such care and manages an office so effectively. First-class experience.
Susan B., Yelp Review
