Root Canal Surgery

To ensure your comfort, and speed the healing process of your oral tissues: before, during and after endodontic surgery, please take the time to carefully read the following instructions and diligently carry them out.

Comfort: To alleviate discomfort, take 2-3 analgesic tablets such as Advil, Tylenol, etc., and repeat every four hours as needed. For stronger pain relief, take the prescription medication as directed. Do not rinse or brush your teeth today, as this will cause bleeding.

Swelling: Swelling is not unusual and generally subsides within 5-8 days. Keep your head elevated for 24 hours following surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside surface of your face for 5 minutes where the surgery was performed. Repeat this application every 20 minutes (5 min. on – 20 min. off) for the first day.  Application of ice packs after that period is not beneficial.

                               Post-Operative Instructions for Apical Surgery

Plan to be quietly at home the remainder of the day of surgery, and take it easy for the next two days. Do not plan physically strenuous activities for the next 72 hours.

Hygiene: After 24 hours, rinse after meals and before bed with warm salt water rinses. Do not use commercial mouth washes or sprays. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide with cotton swab on stitches and around surgical area to keep the area clean. Remaining teeth may be brushed and flossed as usual the following day.

Partial Dentures: Unless otherwise instructed by the doctor, partial dentures should not be worn until so advised.

Bleeding: Some light bleeding is to be expected. If it should become profuse, place a gauze or dry teabag to the area with direct pressure for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, call the office.

Heat: After the first 48 hours have passed, any swelling that may occur will already have done so and the swelling will go down slowly. Warm compresses will help to bring down the swelling. Use these warm compresses 20 minutes out of each hour.

Antibiotics: If an antibiotic is prescribed after surgery, it is important that you take all of your antibiotic.

Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours.

Do not smoke for at least 48 hours.

Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach.