Post-Op Instructions for Root Canal Therapy and Endodontic Surgery

Your tooth and the surrounding gum tissue may be tender for several days following your endodontic procedure. The following information will help you understand some of the affects from the procedure and how to alleviate any pain or swelling.

Patients may experience slight discomfort following endodontic treatment. This is normal, and it is due to irritation produced by the inflammation that was present in your tooth. The tooth should feel much better in three to five days. If medications are prescribed, please take them as directed to help the healing process.

To minimize discomfort, avoid chewing on the tooth for several days. After a few days, try chewing soft food on the tooth. If it should continue to be sensitive, please contact our office. If the gums around the tooth are irritated following the endodontic treatment, this may be due to placement of the rubber dam during treatment. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 tsp, to a cup of water) will speed up the healing process. This should be repeated every three to four hours until the area is comfortable. Should sensitivity continue, please contact our office immediately.

Upon completion of root canal therapy, a temporary restoration is placed in the tooth to prevent possible recontamination of the root canal by saliva and bacteria. It is imperative that you have a permanent restoration placed within 2-6 weeks with your general dentist. The restoration should cover the entire biting surface of the tooth. This will protect the root canal treated tooth and prevent possible fracture of the remaining tooth structure.

It may be necessary for you to return to our office at a future date for one or more short check-up appointments, so we can evaluate the healing process of the root canal treated tooth. This allows us the opportunity to provide the best possible care and make sure that you are not having any problems. You will be notified at the completion of your treatment if you will need to have a check-up at our office, or if your referring dentist can follow the healing progress of your case.

If you have nay questions or think that the post treatment progress is not proceeding properly, please contact our office at (757) 942-8737 during business hours.

*800mg Motrin + 500mg (1 tab) Tylenol every 8 hours x 2 days

 

Please call us at (757) 942-8737 with any questions.

Immediately following Endodontic Surgery:

  • Keep the gauze pack placed over the surgical site in place, and replace it as needed for bleeding.
  • Start taking fluids and take the prescribed pain medications as directed.
  • If liquids are well tolerated, you can advance your diet to soft, cool to room temperature foods.
  • Until after tongue sensation has returned, avoid chewing foods.
  • You should place ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on swelling for explanation.

Bleeding

Bleeding will occur after surgery. It is not uncommon to ooze blood for 24-48 hours after surgery. Keep in mind that oral bleeding represents a lot of saliva and a little blood. Control your bleeding by placing a gauze pack by the area and biting firmly. If oozing is still active, replace gauze as needed. If bleeding continues or begins again, avoid physical activity, sit upright or in a recliner, use ice packs on the sides of the face where surgery was performed and bite on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes or gauze for 1 hour. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a clot by constricting bleeding vessels.

DO NOT DRINK, RINSE OR SPIT THROUGH A STRAW – This will cause suction and could result in bleeding. If you want to clear blood from your mouth, let it drop into the sink but do not rinse or spit.

Pain

Discomfort is common after any surgical procedure, so take the pain medications as prescribed by your surgeon. If your post-operative swelling or pain worsens beyond the third day after surgery or unusual symptoms occur, please call our office (757) 942-8737.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery, and it will not reach its maximum until 2-3 days after surgery. Your swelling, however, may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. An ice pack or zipper locked bag filled with ice should be applied to the side of the face where surgery was performed. If this becomes uncomfortable, then use it for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. For the first 36 hours, apply the ice continuously as much as possible.

Here is a suggested way to apply ice: Fill up two zipper lock bags with crushed ice. Cut a pair of pantyhose at the thigh. Slide both bags halfway down the leg to about the knee. Tie the end of pantyhose on top of your head and adjust ice to the side of your face.

Diet

We recommend on the day of surgery to have cool liquids and soft cool foods. If you eat anything soft, chew away from the surgical sites. Prevent dehydration by taking fluids regularly. Try not to miss a meal.

Please avoid the following: Until the root canal has been completed and your dentist has performed the restoration on the affect tooth or teeth, please avoid eating/chewing nuts, popcorn, and seeds, as well as, sticky foods such as gum, caramel and taffy.

Discoloring or Bruising

In some cases, you may have black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration of the skin following the swelling. This is due to bruising beneath the tissues. This is a normal post-operative occurrence that may occur 2-3 days post-operatively. Beginning 36 hours after surgery, you may apply moist heat to the area. This may speed up the removal of the discoloration.

Antibiotics

To help fight infection, Antibiotics may be prescribed. If you have been placed on antibiotics, please take the tablets or liquid as directed. In the event of a rash or other unfavorable reaction, discontinue the antibiotic use and call our office (757) 942-8737.

For female patients: The use of antibiotics and other medications may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. An additional form of birth control should be utilized for one complete cycle of birth control pills after the course of antibiotics or other medication is complete.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can occur as a result of anesthesia, swallowed blood or discomfort. Post-operative nausea is usually self-limiting and sipping on FLAT cola (Coke or Pepsi) may help. You can also try soda crackers with the cola. If nausea persists, stop taking the pain medication and for the next dose, substitute an over-the-counter pain medication. If nausea is persistent, call our office (757) 942-8737.

Tobacco

Smoking, dipping or chewing will prolong healing and cause increased discomfort. We strongly advise you to stop these habits during your healing phase.

Oral Hygiene

Keep your mouth clean. The night of surgery, you can brush your teeth, but be very gentle around the surgical sites. If there is no bleeding, you may begin salt-water rinses 24 hours after surgery. (Salt-Water Rinses: Mix 1 tablespoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water.) Swish the salt-water gently around and allow the water to drip into the sink. Rinses should be done 2 to 3 times per day and especially after eating.

Activity

For the first day after surgery, activities should be resting on the couch or bed rest. Lifting, bending, or strenuous activity will cause increased swelling, bleeding, or other problems. Be careful when going from the lying down position to standing. When you stand suddenly, you could get light-headed. If you are involved in regular exercise, be aware that your normal caloric and fluid intake is reduced. Exercise in the post-operative period may result in increased swelling, bleeding, and discomfort. Exercise should be avoided for 3 days following surgery.

Sutures

To minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing, sutures are placed in the area of surgery. Sometimes they become dislodged, but this is no cause for alarm. You can remove the suture from your mouth and discard it. Under most circumstances, the sutures will dissolve approximately one week after surgery. If you require the sutures to be removed, this procedure requires no anesthesia or needles. It takes only a short time to remove, and there is no discomfort associated with this procedure.

Other Complications

  • Slight elevation of temperature immediately following surgery is not uncommon. If the temperature persists, please notify our office (757) 942-8737.
  • If the corners of your mouth are stretched during the procedure, they may dry out and crack. You can keep your lips moist with an ointment such as Vaseline.
  • A sore throat and pain when swallowing are not uncommon. Your muscles get swollen, and the normal act of swallowing can then become painful. This should subside in 2-3 days.
  • For a few days following surgery, stiffness of your jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth. This is a normal post-operative event and will resolve in time.

 

For questions about any of these instructions, please call us at (757) 942-8737.

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