Following Root Canal Therapy or Surgical Treatment:
Your completed root canal may be slightly tender to touch, biting, tapping or chewing for several days after treatment. It is advised that you do not do any extensive chewing on that side during this time. Discomfort will usually subside in a few days, however it may last as long as a few weeks. Improvement will be gradual.
If your tooth throbs, keep your head elevated, especially when lying down, and try to refrain from any strenuous activity. If the tooth is tender, we will usually recommend a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, or aspirin in combination with Tylenol Extra Strength for at least three to five days. If you cannot take any of these anti-inflammatory medications, then you may try taking only Tylenol Extra Strength. If any of the recommended analgesics are not effective in relieving the pain, please call our office. Take all prescribed medication as directed.
Using warm water soaks in the affected area, as warm as you can tolerate it, at least two to three times a day for 30 minutes at a time will be helpful in relieving the discomfort.
If you initially feel better, then get significantly worse two or three days after treatment, you may be experiencing what is known as a “flare-up.” This is not a common occurrence, but it occasionally happens. Please contact our office.
There is usually no necessary “waiting period” for you to see your dentist. Unless otherwise indicated, have the tooth restored as soon as possible. Delay of the restoration of the tooth could possibly expose the root canal to recontamination.
We routinely like to perform a follow-up exam at least three months after the completion of the root canal. We like to evaluate the treatment outcome, and determine the presence of bone healing. There is no charge for this visit.
Following Surgical Endodontics:
Please do not lift or pull on the lips as this may cause tearing of the sutures.
Some swelling and discoloration is normal and will gradually disappear.
To minimize swelling, use ice pack application on the face, over the operated area. The ice pack should be used for 20 minutes on the surgical area, and for 20 minutes off the surgical area. This should be done only for the first day.
Beginning the following day, rinse the surgical area with warm salt water after each meal. This will help to keep the surgical site free and clean of debris and help with healing. Continue to rinse the surgical area until the sutures are removed.
Eat foods that will be nourishing but do not require vigorous chewing for the first few days ( i.e. eggs, soups, milk shakes, etc.). Stay away from gritty foods that can get into the surgical wound site ( i.e. toast, crackers, chips, pretzels, etc.).
Some slight bleeding, swelling, or discomfort during the first couple of days is considered normal.
Brush your teeth, being extremely careful in the surgical area. Mouthwash may be used after the third day.
For discomfort, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, or extra strength Tylenol is recommended. If a stronger medication is required, a prescription will be written for you before you leave our office.
If you have an elevated temperature, excessive bleeding, swelling or discomfort, please call our office (305) 933-0001.
There will be at least two follow-up appointments. The first follow-up will be to have your sutures removed. The second appointment will be a few weeks later, so that we may evaluate the soft tissue (gum) healing.
Our office likes to perform a follow up exam at least three to six months after the treatment. We want to evaluate the treatment outcome, be sure that you have regained normal function , and determine the presence of bone healing. Please remember there is no charge for this visit.
