If you are scheduled for treatment, the procedure will be performed using local anesthesia. There are usually no restrictions after an endodontic procedure concerning driving or returning to work, unless oral sedation is performed. If oral sedation (triazolam) is used, an escort is required, and the patient should not drive.
Please continue all medications for blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, and/or any other conditions as recommended by your physician. If there is a question, please call our office prior to your appointment.
Please eat a full breakfast or lunch as applicable. If you have been advised by your physician or dentist to use antibiotic premedication, please do so. If there is a question, please call our office prior to your appointment.
If you can take ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), this can help reduce inflammation when taken pre-operatively.
If you have any questions, please call our office at (619) 295-3636.
After Initiation or Completion of Endodontic Treatment
Your tooth, ligament, and surrounding gum tissue be tender for several days following treatment as the area heals. This tenderness is normal and no cause for alarm. These temporary symptoms are usually relieved by over-the-counter pain medications.
If a posterior (molar) tooth has had a root canal, cuspal coverage (crown or onlay) will often be necessary to help prevent fracture of the tooth. Avoid chewing on a molar tooth until your general dentist or prosthodontist restores the root canal-treated tooth with cuspal coverage (crown or onlay). You should continue your regular dental hygiene regimen.
Discomfort may be alleviated by doing one of the following:
Unless medicallly contraindicated, you can take 600 or 800 mg of ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin are brand names) every six hours with eight ounces of water. Adults should not exceed 3200 mg in any 24-hour period. This 800 mg dosage level assumes a 150 pound, adult patient.
An adult patient can also take 1000 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol is brand name) every six hours with eight ounces of water. Adults should not exceed 4000 mg in any 24-hour period. This dosage level assumes a 150 pound, adult patient. Acetaminophen should never be taken in greater than recommended dosages, as this medicine can be dangerous to the liver if taken in excessive quantities.
Another effective treatment protocol for adult patients (as long as it is not medically contraindicated) is to take both ibuprofen and acetaminophen medications simultaneously. For example, a patient can take 600 mg of Advil plus 500-1000 mg of Tylenol, every six hours. However a patient should not take two medications in the same drug class (ie: two non-steroidal anti-anflammatories [NSAIDS]) at the same time.
NOTE: It is recommended to refrain from ingesting alcohol while taking any of these medications.
Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the medications noted above, or you develop swelling, please contact our office immediately at (619) 295-3636. If you need to call after hours, please have your pharmacy information available.
A recall examination to evaluate healing is often performed six months after treatment. This appointment will require only a few minutes, and no additional fee will be required.
After Root-End Surgery
On the first day...
Avoid strenuous activities or any unnecessary lifting for 24 hours. Take it easy. Should you decide to lay down, protect your pillow case from any oozing with an old towel.
Fill any prescriptions on your way home and take them as directed.
Apply an ice-bag to the face over the surgical site, alternating every ten to twenty minutes. Continue this for six hours. This will minimize swelling and discoloration. Do not use ice after the first day.
Eat soft foods for the first 24 hours after surgery. The idea is to avoid foods that could possibly disrupt the healing soft tissue, near the surgical site. Avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, acidic beverages and smoking.
You should brush your teeth in the treated area, but be careful not to disrupt the surgical site for at least 24 hours. Avoid tooth paste near the surgical site for 24 hours. Do not aggressively rinse your mouth or use a water irrigation (water pik) device after surgery.
If you experience significant bleeding, apply direct pressure. This should be enough, however if the bleeding is persistent, place a moistened Lipton tea bag on the affected area. Do not cut open the tea bag. Rest with your head elevated for 20 minutes with slight to moderate pressure over the area. Remove the tea bag and confirm that the bleeding has stopped. If it has not, repeat with a new tea bag. If the bleeding persists, call the office or the doctor's emergency number immediately.
On the second day and beyond...
Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (half a teaspoon in a large glass of warm water) after meals.
After 24 hours post-surgery, one can use an antiseptic rinse (chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12%) two or three times a day. This rinse should be discontinued after seven to ten days, as this solution can stain the plaque on the teeth a dark brown and alter taste. This rinse should not be used for the first 24 hours after surgery, as this can disrupt blood clot formation, which is a normal part of the healing process after surgery.
Although severe pain seldom occurs, some discomfort will usually take place. Use the anti-inflammatory regimen describe above. There may be some swelling after surgery which will usually be noticed for the first 24-72 hours after surgery. The treated tooth may feel loose for a brief time.
Return to our office for suture removal as directed.
If you experience discomfort not controlled by your prescription, or any signs of infection or swelling, please contact the office at (619) 295-3636.
