Home Care Instructions
Instructions Following Non-Surgical Endodontic Therapy
It was a pleasure treating you today. We hope that you were comfortable while in our office. Please read below on what to expect or plan for following root canal therapy.
Discomfort/Medications: Your anesthesia will wear off in approximately 2-6 hours after the procedure. We use longer acting anesthetics to help reduce post-operative discomfort. Discomfort following a root canal can range from minimum to occasionally severe. Although these symptoms are not always experienced, they are normal. If the discomfort is severe, however, it normally starts decreasing 2-3 days after the procedure is completed. Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), acetaminophen (Tylenol®), or aspirin (Bayer®) can be used to help manage this discomfort. The recommended dosing to control post-operative discomfort is to take 600-800mg of Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) every 6 hours alternating with 500mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol®) every 3 hours for up to 1 week. Taking this combination of medications at least once before the anesthetic wears off has been proven to decrease post-operative discomfort. Do not, however, take any medication that your physician, pharmacist, etc. has advised you not to take. Do not use alcohol while taking these medications. Immediately stop using any drug that causes stomach upset or allergic reactions (including hives, rash, facial swelling, asthma, or wheezing). Seek immediate medical attention if complications arise.
Some biting sensitivity is not unusual for several weeks, or even months, following a root canal as the infection resolves and the tooth and surrounding structures heal. You should not be concerned unless you feel a dramatic change in the degree of pain or experience swelling. Please contact us if you have concerns. Medications may or may not be prescribed; however, please have your pharmacy number handy in case a prescription needs to be called in. FEMALES: Antibiotics, if prescribed, may interfere with the efficiency of birth control pills, as such, additional means of pregnancy prevention are indicated.
Chewing/Restoration: Although you should be extremely careful while you are still numb, you can eat and drink following your root canal treatment. It is best to avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your restorative dentist has placed your permanent restoration, as the tooth is highly susceptible to irreparable fracture. Your dentist will decide exactly which type of permanent restoration will best suit your needs. Be sure to make this appointment within 2-8 weeks of your completed endodontic treatment. A temporary restoration has been placed in your tooth to prevent the bacteria in your mouth from reinfecting your tooth. It is imperative that this material be replaced with a permanent restoration in a timely manner. We will send a record of your treatment including x-rays to your restorative dentist. You may resume normal oral hygiene the day of the procedure.
If you have any questions, please call our office at Brasington Endodontics & Microsurgery Phone Number 864-412-1007
Instructions Following Endodontic Microsurgery
It was a pleasure treating you today. We hope that you were comfortable while in our office. Please read below on what to expect or plan for following endodontic microsurgery.
Discomfort/Medications: Your anesthesia will wear off in approximately 2-6 hours after the procedure. We use longer acting anesthetics to help reduce post-operative discomfort. Discomfort following a endodontic microsurgery typically ranges from minimum to moderate. You may be most swollen on the third day which is normal, and bruising is not rare. Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), acetaminophen (Tylenol®), or aspirin (Bayer®) can be used to help manage this discomfort. The recommended dosing to control post-operative discomfort is to take 600-800mg of Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) plus 500 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol®) every 6 hours for up to 1 week. Taking this combination of medications at least once before the anesthetic wears off has been proven to decrease post-operative discomfort. Do not, however, take any medication that your physician, pharmacist, etc. has advised you not to take. Do not use alcohol while taking these medications. Immediately stop using any drug that causes stomach upset or allergic reactions (including hives, rash, facial swelling, asthma, or wheezing). Seek immediate medical attention if complications arise.
Some biting sensitivity is not unusual for several weeks following endodontic microsurgery as the infection resolves and the tooth and surrounding structures heal. You should not be concerned unless you feel a dramatic change in the degree of pain or experience greater than a small swelling. Please contact us if you have concerns. Medications may or may not be prescribed; however, please have your pharmacy number handy in case a prescription needs to be called in. FEMALES: Antibiotics, if prescribed, may interfere with the efficiency of birth control pills, as such, additional means of pregnancy prevention are indicated.
Eating: Although you should be extremely careful while you are still numb, you can eat and drink following your endodontic microsurgery. Cold, soft food and drinks such as milkshakes, yogurt, and ice cream are best during this time. Eat meals and drink plenty of fluids at regular intervals, but avoid food that may traumatize the surgical site. Follow your normal brushing/flossing routine except avoid brushing or flossing the surgical site for 2-3 days.
Icing: Apply a cold ice pack to the site for 15 minutes on, fifteen minutes off for the first two hours. A bag of frozen vegetables makes an excellent ice pack.
Follow-up appointments: If any sutures need to be removed, we will reschedule you to do so. Otherwise, the sutures will dissolve on their own. We will send a record of your treatment including x-rays to your restorative dentist. A follow-up appointment may be needed by your restorative dentist.
If you have any questions, please call our office at Brasington Endodontics & Microsurgery Phone Number 864-412-1007