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For your information, we’ve included the post-operative instructions
that we send home with each patient.
Before and After Care ~ Nonsurgical Treatment
Nonsurgical Pre Treatment Care
Prior to your initial visit, please inform our office of any current
medical conditions or treatments. Please continue all current medications
unless otherwise directed by your physician or attending endodontist.
If you have been diagnosed with:
- heart murmur
- hip, knee, cardiac or other prosthesis
- any other condition
Your physician or dentist may advise you to use antibiotic pre-medication.
Please make sure you are on the appropriate antibiotic the day of
your appointment.
All minors (less than 18 years of age) must have a parent or legal
guardian accompany them to their initial appointment.
Post Treatment Care
If your endodontic treatment was performed using local anesthesia
and/or nitrous oxide anesthesia, you will be able to drive yourself
to work or to home after your treatment. You should be comfortable
returning to your normal routine.
If you received oral sedation or intravenous sedation, you will
require a driver to take you to and from your appointment. You may
resume normal activities within 24 hours.
Following non-surgical root canal therapy
Your treated tooth will be tender to biting pressure for a few days
following treatment, so avoid chewing on the treated side until you
are comfortable. Also, avoid hard or crunchy foods. If necessary,
try soft foods like soups or blender drinks to ensure that you maintain
the nutrition needed to promote rapid healing.
If you experience tenderness, achiness, or sensitivity to biting,
you may take aspirin or over the counter anti-inflammatory medication
( Advil, Aleve, etc) to relieve the symptoms. If you are sensitive
to these medications, or have been advised by your physician against
taking them, please ask us for alternatives. Also, please note that
Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory medication.
If your gums are sore around the treated area, a warm saltwater
rinse will help soothe the area.
It is uncommon for endodontic patients to experience complications
after treatment; however, should swelling develop, or if you can’t
control it with the medications listed above, please contact the
office immediately. If you need to call after hours, please have
your pharmacy phone number available when the doctor returns your
call.
It is likely that you will need to contact and see your restorative
dentist shortly (within four weeks) following treatment to have the
treated tooth restored with a filling or crown. This final restoration
is essential in protecting the tooth and root canal from future problems.
Sometimes we may ask you to come in for a follow-up exam 3 to 12
months after your treatment to evaluate the progress of healing.
This appointment will require only a few minutes.
If you have any questions about the way your tooth feels after treatment,
please contact us at 972-596-9400.
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Microsurgical Postoperative Instructions
Pre-Treatment Care
Prior to your initial visit, please inform our office of any current
medical conditions or treatments. Please continue all current medications
unless otherwise directed by your physician or attending endodontist.
If you have been diagnosed with:
- heart murmur
- hip, knee, cardiac or other prosthesis
- any other condition
Your physician or dentist may advise you to use antibiotic pre-medication.
Please make sure you are on the appropriate antibiotic the day of
your appointment.
All minors (less than 18 years of age) must have a parent or legal
guardian accompany them to their initial appointment.
Pre-treatment you will be giving an antibacterial mouthrinse (Peridex)
to begin using two days prior to surgery.
Post Treatment Care
To speed healing and prevent complications, you will want to practice
good oral hygiene habits and follow these recommendations:
- Apply an ice bag for eight hours following surgery- on 20 minutes,
then off 20 minutes- to prevent swelling.
- Avoid tobacco products and alcohol for the first two weeks following
surgery.
- Avoid brushing directly over the surgical site for the first
week. Rinse with the Peridex as prescribed for the first week after
surgery. Peridex can also be used on a cotton swab to gently clean
the surgical site and sutures.
- Beginning the day after surgery, you may begin rinsing your mouth
with warm salt water several times a day. Mix a teaspoon of salt
in an 8 oz class of warm (not hot) water. This will help soothe
the treated area.
- Maintaining good nutrition is important in the healing process.
You may prefer soft foods (soups, yogurt, pasta, blender drinks,
or liquid nutritional products) until you feel more comfortable
chewing. Avoid hard or crunchy foods for the first few days.
- On the night after surgery, elevate your head while sleeping.
This will help reduce the chance of swelling.
- Do not be alarmed if you experience some swelling, bruising,
or oozing of blood from the surgical site. If at any time you feel
that the swelling or bleeding is excessive or increasing, or if
you develop a temperature, please call us at 972-596-9400.
- Continue taking all prescribed medications.
- You will be instructed to return to our office within a few days
following your surgery for suture removal and post operative evaluation.
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