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 contact 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.

A complete report of treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist within a week of your appointment. 

After completion of the root canal, the inner structure is sealed by the root canal filling. In most cases, the outer surface of the tooth is sealed with a temporary restoration & a permanent restoration must be placed by your dentist to protect your tooth against fracture & decay. Please contact your restorative dentist for an appointment within 30 days. The ideal permanent restoration of a root canal treated tooth is a crown. Failure to do so can result in reinfection or fracture of the tooth.

After your visit, your tooth & surrounding gum tissue may be slightly tender for several days as a result of manipulation during treatment & previous condition of the tooth. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm. Please try avoiding chewing on the involved tooth for the first 48hours. Afterwards, the tooth can be sensitive for a couple of weeks while the tissues are healing. Do not chew hard food on the affected side until your endodontic therapy is completed & your tooth is covered with a final restoration by your restorative dentist. 

Discomfort may be alleviated by taking 600mg ibuprofen (Advil) and/or 500mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6h. Please do continue your regular dental hygiene regimen.

Please follow these instructions as closely as possible. They are designed to help you heal quickly. If you experience any complications, please call our office.

FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY:

• Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed, or swallow your saliva.

• Do not use a drinking straw. Drink straight from the cup.

• Avoid smoking the week after the surgery as this will delay the healing.

• Keep away from the surgical area. It is possible to tear the stitches accidentally & delay healing. 

• Rest as much as possible the first 24 hours. Elevate your head with at least one pillow while sleeping.

• Drink plenty of fluids that have food value: juices, milk, etc.

FOR BLEEDING: Some minor bleeding is expected. A little oozing is normal & may persist for several hours. A small amount of bleeding may persist for 2 days. Should bleeding increase, apply a dampened tea bag with slight pressure for about 15 min to the surgical area. The tannic acid in tea will help to form a clot to stop the bleeding.

FOR SWELLING & BRUISING: Most patients will experience some swelling & bruising. The swelling will gradually increase over the first 48 hours before it starts improving. It may last 1-2 weeks. The use on ice on the first day is critical to cut down on the post-surgical blood rebound which causes the swelling & bruising.

1) The day of the surgery: Use an ice pack on the cheek next to the surgical site. Keep it on for 15 minutes, then off for 10 minutes (repeat until you go to sleep).

2) On the third day, if there’s some bruising, you can change to heat instead of ice packs. This helps in dissipating the bruising.

BRUSHING: You may brush your teeth while avoiding the surgical area until the follow up visit.

RINSING: You may start rinsing today, gently, with some warm salty water every few hours. Do not use alcohol-containing mouth rinses for a few days (1 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water).

MEDICATIONS: Take all medications with a full glass of water, and as directed on the bottle.

Please follow these instructions as closely as possible. They are designed to help you heal quickly. If you experience any complications, please call our office.

What can I expect after surgery?

• Minor bleeding and “oozing” for 1-2 days.

• Pain and discomfort slowly improving in 1-5 days.

• Swelling for 1 week becoming worse on the 2nd and 3rd day after surgery.

• Tightness and stiffness to the jaw and joint areas.

What are my post-operative instructions?

• • After the first 24 hours following surgery, rinse gently with warm salt water after every meal. This can continue 1-2 weeks. Brush gently avoiding the extraction sites for 1-2 weeks.

  • You may be biting on gauze when you leave the clinic. This gauze should remain for 30 minutes. After that, you may take the gauze out and observe the extraction area. If it is bleeding like a fresh wound (bright red, dripping blood) bite on additional fresh gauze for approximately 30 more minutes. Repeat as necessary until the area is slight oozing and blood is dark & clotting. Remember a little blood and a lot of saliva will look like a lot of blood, usually it is just a lot of saliva.

  • Do not smoke, spit, drink through a straw, or drink carbonated beverages for 3 days after surgery.

  • No rinsing for the first 24 hours.

  • If you had upper teeth removed avoid blowing your nose and sneezing for the first week (if you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to prevent sinus damage).

  • Use an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain. Ice packs can be applied for 20 minutes on and 10 minutes off for the first 24 hours (while awake). After the first 24 hours, discontinue ice and use warm moist heat.

Are there diet restrictions after surgery?
Your first day will consist of soft, cool foods such as: Jello, pudding, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese and ice cream. Soup is fine as long as it is room temperature only. Around day 3-4 you may resume regular diet as tolerated, but should your jaw start to ache, resume soft diet for a couple more days to rest the jaw muscle.

How do I manage pain after surgery?
Over the counter pain medication: Ibuprofen 600mg (3 Advil tablets) and/or 500mg Acetaminophen (1 Tylenol) can be taken as needed to manage any discomfort every 6h. 

What other medications will I have to take?

• You may be given a prescription for antibiotics. Be sure to take them as directed.

• Continue taking any medications prescribed by your primary care physician.

What follow-up care will I receive?

• We will call you the day after the surgery to make sure you are doing well. If needed, a follow up visit might be needed to re-assess the healing of the area in question.

When should I contact your office?

• • If you have increased swelling or bruising.

  • If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.

  • If you have an oral temperature over 100.5 degrees. Check to make sure you are getting enough liquids. Dehydration can cause the body temperature to rise.