Aftercare When You Get Home

You're home with your new smile. The dental work is done, but your job isn't. Proper aftercare determines whether your $5,000-20,000 investment lasts 5 years or 20. Here's how to maintain your results.

First Week Home

Healing continues after you leave Medellín. The first week back:

• Continue soft foods if you had surgery (implants, extractions)
• Take prescribed medications as directed (finish all antibiotics)
• Watch for warning signs (increasing pain, swelling, fever)
• Photograph your progress daily for the first week
• Stay in touch with your clinic via WhatsApp

Veneer/Crown Aftercare

Daily Care

• Brush twice daily with non-abrasive toothpaste
• Floss daily—veneers don't get cavities, but your gums still can
• Use non-alcoholic mouthwash—alcohol can weaken bonding cement over time

What to Avoid

• Biting hard objects: No ice, hard candy, pen caps, or fingernails
• Using teeth as tools: Don't open packages with your teeth
• Highly abrasive toothpastes: Whitening toothpastes can scratch porcelain
• Excessive staining foods: Coffee, red wine, berries won't stain porcelain but can stain the bonding at edges

Night Guard (Essential)

If you grind your teeth (bruxism), a night guard is non-negotiable. Grinding can crack veneers and crowns. Your Colombian clinic may have provided one; if not, get one made by a local dentist.

Implant Aftercare

Healing Phase (First 3-6 Months)

If you returned with implants still healing (before the permanent crown):

• Soft diet for 3-4 months—nothing crunchy or chewy on the implant side
• Don't disturb the site—no poking, prodding, or excessive rinsing
• Don't smoke—dramatically increases failure risk
• Follow up as scheduled with your Colombian clinic (usually via photos)

Long-Term Implant Care

• Treat them like natural teeth: Brush, floss, regular cleanings
• Implant-specific cleaning: Water flossers (Waterpik) are excellent for cleaning around implants
• Watch for peri-implantitis: Inflammation around implants. Signs include redness, bleeding, discomfort. Treatable if caught early.

Finding a US Dentist for Ongoing Care

You still need regular dental care. Here's how to find a US dentist who will work with you:

1. Be upfront: "I had dental work done abroad and I'm looking for a dentist comfortable with ongoing care."
2. Bring documentation: Treatment records, X-rays, list of materials used, implant specifications
3. If they refuse: Move on. Many dentists are fine with it; some have biases. Don't waste time convincing them.
4. Consider prosthodontists: Specialists in restorations are often more open to complex cases

Regular Dental Visits

Even with new dental work, you need:

• Cleanings every 6 months: Especially important around crowns and implants
• Annual exams: Check for issues early
• X-rays as recommended: Monitor implant health, check for decay around crown margins

Tell your hygienist about your dental work so they use appropriate techniques and tools.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Most issues are addressable. The sooner you communicate, the easier they are to resolve.

Maintaining Your Results Long-Term

Veneers (15-20+ year lifespan with care)

• Night guard if you grind
• Non-abrasive toothpaste
• Regular professional cleanings
• Avoid biting hard objects

Crowns (10-15+ year lifespan)

• Floss carefully—get under the crown margin
• Watch for decay at the junction with natural tooth
• Night guard if you grind

Implants (20+ years, often lifetime)

• Impeccable oral hygiene
• Regular professional cleanings
• No smoking
• Water flosser for cleaning around implants

All-on-4 (10-20+ years for prosthesis)

• Special brushes for cleaning under the prosthesis
• Water flosser essential
• Annual check-ups with a prosthodontist
• Prosthesis may need replacement eventually even if implants are fine

Whitening Maintenance

If you got whitening with your veneers/crowns:

• Veneers and crowns DON'T whiten—they stay the shade they were made
• Your natural teeth can still stain/yellow
• Touch-up whitening on natural teeth keeps everything matching
• Whitening touch-ups every 6-12 months are normal

If Something Breaks or Fails

1. Don't panic. Most issues are fixable.
2. Contact your Colombian clinic with photos and description.
3. They'll advise whether it's a warranty issue and next steps.
4. For emergencies (pain, infection), see a local dentist first, then coordinate with Colombia.
5. If it's warranty-covered, you may need to return for repair.

The Investment Mindset

You saved $10,000-50,000 on dental work. Spending a few hundred dollars a year on cleanings, a night guard, and proper care is protecting that investment.

Think of it like buying a nice car. The purchase price is just the beginning. Maintenance determines whether it lasts 5 years or 20. Your new smile is the same—worth maintaining properly.