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Instructions

Before Endodontic Treatment

This procedure will be performed using local anesthesia. There are usually no restrictions after the procedure concerning driving or returning to work. A doctor is available for consultation at all times should a problem arise after your treatment.

Continue all medications for blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems and 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 because of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), heart murmur, hip, knee, cardiac or other prosthesis, or if you have rheumatic heart disease, please make sure you are on the appropriate antibiotic on the day of your appointment. If there is a question, please call our office prior to your appointment.

If you can take ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), it does help reduce inflammation when taken pre-operatively. We recommend 2 tablets of either medication 2-4 hours before endodontic therapy.

Home Care Instructions

Your tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be slightly tender for several days as a result of manipulation during treatment and previous condition of your tooth. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm. Do not chew food on the affected side until your endodontic therapy is completed and your tooth is covered with a protective restoration provided by your restorative dentist. You may continue your regular dental hygiene regimen. Discomfort may be alleviated by taking ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed.

NOTE: Alcohol intake is not advised while taking any of these medications. Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the above listed medications, or should swelling develop, please contact this office immediately.

The office telephone is answered day and night. If you need to call after hours, please have your pharmacy number available.

After Treatment

Endodontic treatment for this tooth has been completed. The root canal, or canals, have been permanently sealed. However, the outer surface is sealed with a temporary restoration. Please make an appointment with your general dentist as they must place a permanent restoration to protect the tooth against fracture and decay.

What To Expect

  1. It is not uncommon for a tooth to be uncomfortable or even exhibit a dull ache immediately after root canal treatment. This should subside within one week.
  2. Your tooth will be sensitive to biting pressure and may even appear to feel loose. This feeling is a result of the sensitivity of nerve-ending in the tissue just outside the end of the root, where we cleaned, irrigated, and placed filler and sealer material. This feeling will be short lived.
  3. You may feel a depression or rough area (on the top of the back tooth, or the back of a front tooth) where our access was made. There is a soft, temporary material in the area, which may wear away to some degree before you next visit.

What To Do

  1. We recommend you take 400-600 mg of ibuprofen every six hours or two 500 mg extra strength tylenol every six hours.
  2. Antibiotics as needed: -Amox 500 mg – 2 tabs right away then 1 tab every eight hrs. -Clindamycin 150 mg/300 mg – 2 tabs right way then one tab every six hrs.
  3. Whenever possible, try to chew on the opposite side from the tooth we have just treated, until you have had the tooth restored. Until that time, your tooth is weakened and could fracture.
  4. Please avoid chewing gum, caramels, or other sticky, soft candy and hard foods which could dislodge the temporary material or fracture your tooth.

Please Call Us If...

  1. You are experiencing symptoms more intense or longer duration that those described below.
  2. You encounter significant post-operative swelling.
  3. The temporary material is completely dislodged, feels loose, or feels ‘high’ when biting.
  4. Your tooth fractures
  5. You have any questions

After Surgical Endodontics Apicoectomy, Curettage, and Apical Restoration

After Treatment You May Experience:

  1. Tenderness in the area of the tooth for a day or two.
  2. Swelling from slight to a moderate degree from the first to third day.
  3. Discoloration, either black and blue or a yellowish tint for several days.
  4. On rare occasions a numbness or tingling sensation persists in the treatment area but will usually disappear within a few weeks.

Some Post-op Instructions Include:

  1. Ice packs for the first 2-4 hours, 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
  2. 24 hours after surgery start gentle warm salt-water rinses 3-4 times a day or as indicated by the doctor -Peridex rinse as prescribed.
  3. Don’t pull up on your lip.
  4. Soft foods for the first three days.
  5. Return in one week for suture removal.
  6. Antibiotics as prescribed if needed.
  7. Pain medication as needed.