Written by Richard Dawson, DMD ICOI Fellow Reviewed by John Turke DMD Updated May 2026
Dentist reviewing post-operative care with a patient at Smile Science Dental Spa

Smile Science Dental Spa -- Glendale, AZ

Post-Operative Instructions

Procedure-specific care guides written by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke. Follow these instructions closely -- they are your best tool for a smooth, comfortable recovery.

Authored by Your Dental Team

Guides Written for Our Patients

These post-operative care guides are the same written instructions provided by Dr. Richard Dawson and Dr. John Turke at Smile Science Dental Spa in Glendale, Arizona after each procedure. Each guide covers diet, activity restrictions, oral hygiene, pain management, and the specific signs that mean you should call us right away.

Select the guide that matches your procedure below. If you had multiple procedures at one visit, call us at (480) 530-3663 and we will walk you through the priorities for your specific combination.

Care Guides by Procedure

Select the procedure you had to read your personalized care instructions.

At a Glance

Expected Recovery Windows

These are general estimates. Your actual recovery depends on the complexity of your procedure, your health, and how closely you follow the care instructions. When in doubt, call us.

ProcedureImmediate RecoveryFull Healing
Bone Graft7-14 days (swelling, restricted diet)3-6 months before implant placement
Dental Implant7-10 days (swelling, soft diet)3-6 months osseointegration before crown
Root Canal1-3 days sensitivity, soft dietCrown placement within 4-6 weeks
Scaling & Root Planing24-48 hours tenderness4-6 weeks for initial gum reattachment
Teeth Whitening48 hours white diet, sensitivityResults last 12-18 months with maintenance
Tooth Extraction7-14 days for socket tissue closure3-6 months for bone to fully fill

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which care guide to follow?

Use the guide that matches the procedure you had. Each guide is labeled by procedure name. If you are not sure what was done or the names do not match exactly, call us at (480) 530-3663 -- we can pull your chart and tell you which guide applies.

What if I had multiple procedures at one visit?

Read each applicable guide and follow the most restrictive instructions for overlapping rules -- for example, if one guide says soft diet for 3 days and another says 7 days, follow the 7-day version. Call us for anything unclear. Our team can walk you through priorities specific to your combination of procedures.

Are these the same instructions I received at the office?

Yes. These are the same written care instructions provided at checkout by our clinical team at Smile Science Dental Spa. If your printed sheet and the online guide differ in any detail, the online version reflects the most current guidance -- call us if you have questions about a specific discrepancy.

Questions About Your Recovery?

Never hesitate to call us. If something does not feel right, we want to hear from you. Our Glendale team keeps same-day time available for post-operative concerns.

(480) 530-3663 Schedule Online