General Instructions
Your tooth and the surrounding tissues may be slightly tender for several days to weeks after treatment. The tenderness is normal and is a result of the manipulation of your tooth and the surrounding ligaments. The previous disease in your tooth also plays a factor in the continued tenderness.
Make every attempt to avoid chewing on the treated tooth. Until the tooth is permanently restored, it is more prone to fracture. You should continue your normal hygiene regimen. Ibuprofen is the first drug of choice when managing the discomfort. If your doctor prescribed a narcotic pain medication, take it as needed and as directed. If an antibiotic was prescribed, take all of the pills as directed.
Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the above medications or should swelling develop, contact our office immediately.
Before Root Canal Therapy
Typically, root canal therapy is performed using local anesthesia. Usually there are no restrictions after the procedure concerning driving or returning to work. A doctor is available for consultation should a problem arise.
Please continue all your normal medications unless specifically instructed not to by our doctor.
Please eat normally.
If you are required by your physician to take antibiotic premedication prior to this dental procedure, please take the medication as directed.
Taking Ibuprofen pre-operatively, has been shown to help reduce inflammation and decrease post operative discomfort. We recommend taking 2 tablets (400mg) of Ibuprofen (Advil) 2 hours before treatment.
After Root Canal Therapy
Once treatment has been completed and your symptoms have subsided, your tooth needs to be permanently restored. After leaving our office, a temporary restoration was placed in your tooth. This restoration is only intended to last a couple of weeks. Please contact your dentist to schedule a follow up appointment. The treatment report will be emailed to your dentist.
As part of your root canal procedure, we like to evaluate you for a yearly follow up. This appointment will only require a few minutes and does not have a fee. If your provided your email address, we will send you a reminder for your yearly re-evaluation.
As a reminder follow these rules:
- Do not chew or bite on the treated tooth until it is restored by your dentist.
- Continue to brush and floss your teeth
- Contact our office if you feel that the entire temporary filling has fallen out. It is normal for a little of the filling to wear away.
Contact our office immediately if:
- Visible swelling occurs
- You develop a rash or itching
- Nausea
- Return of the original symptoms
- Significant pain
- Bite feels high, rough, or uneven
After Apical Microsurgery
Apical Microsurgery is surgery which will cause trauma to the surrounding tissues. While everyone responds to procedures differently, following these guidelines will help with your recovery.
- Swelling, minor pain and / or skin discoloration may be experienced following the surgical procedure. This will be temporary.
- In order to keep the swelling to a minimum, use an ice pack for the first few hours (on for 10 minutes and off for 5 minutes).
- The day after the surgery use lukewarm water rinses for the treated area following each meal. This should continue for the first 3 days following the surgical procedure.
- Eat only soft foods. Avoid hard and chewy foods.
- Get plenty of rest and insure normal intake of food, especially liquids such as fruit juices, soup, and milk. Use a vitamin supplement if desired. Try not to sleep on the operated area for 24 hours.
- DO NOT raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the treated area.
- DO NOT brush teeth near the surgical site. Brush teeth in the rest of your mouth.
- There is often a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area and the tooth may feel loose.
- Take medications according to the instructions.
- Should any difficulties occur, do not hesitate to call our office anytime. In case of an extreme urgency call 911.