Aftercare once you're home

The work doesn't end when you fly home. Good records and a check-up with your own dentist make it much easier to deal with any problem later.

Take your records home

Before you leave the clinic, ask for:

• before and after X-rays
• a written summary of the work done on each tooth
• the materials used for crowns and veneers
• implant brand, model and batch details
• the warranty terms, in writing
• the clinic's email and phone number, and the name of the dentist who treated you

An aftercare timeline

The first few days. Follow the clinic's instructions on pain relief, rinsing and food. After surgery, eat soft food and avoid hard or crunchy food that could get stuck in the wound. Don't smoke, which raises the risk of infection. Our article on soft food after dental surgery has ideas.

The first weeks. New crowns and veneers can feel strange while you get used to them, and teeth can be sensitive to cold for a while. Gums around implants and new crowns settle over a few weeks. Note anything that doesn't improve, so you can describe it to your dentist.

A few weeks after you return. Book a check-up with your dentist at home. Bring your records so they can check the fit and the bite.

Long term. Keep up regular check-ups and cleaning. Crowns, veneers and implants can last many years with good care, but the teeth and gums around them still need looking after. If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist whether a night guard would protect new work.

See your dentist at home

Book a check-up a few weeks after you return. Your dentist can check the fit and the bite, and you'll have a local contact if something needs attention later. If your local dentist prefers not to treat work done abroad, ask them to note what they find so you can send it to the clinic.

If something goes wrong

Contact the treating clinic first, with photos if you can. Many clinics can advise remotely and will say whether the problem is covered by their warranty. If you're in pain or have swelling or a fever, see a local dentist or doctor straight away.

A crown or veneer comes off

Keep it in a clean container and bring it to the dentist. Don't glue it back yourself. Avoid chewing on that side, and keep the area clean. A dentist can often refit the same crown if it isn't damaged.

A crown feels high or a tooth aches when you bite

A high bite can make a tooth sore. A dentist can usually adjust it quickly. Tell the clinic as well, in case the warranty covers the visit.

An implant hurts or feels loose

Some soreness straight after surgery is normal. Worsening pain, swelling, pus, a bad taste or a loose implant or crown are reasons to see a dentist promptly. Bring the implant brand, model and batch details, which the dentist needs to find the right parts.

Using the warranty

Read the warranty before you need it. Check what it covers, for how long, whether it pays for repairs by a dentist near you, and whether you must return to the clinic. Keep receipts for any local treatment so you can claim. Our guide to choosing a clinic lists what to ask about warranties before you book.