What you should know following treatment

Following Root Canal Therapy or Root Canal Retreatment:

1. The treated tooth is commonly VERY tender to touch, biting, tapping or chewing for a few days after treatment. DO NOT CHEW ON THAT SIDE.
2. Discomfort usually subsides in a couple of days, but may last as long as a few weeks. Improvement will be gradual.
3. The treated tooth, the injection sites, as well as the soft tissues around the tooth, will feel sore and tender.
4. If your tooth throbs, keep your head elevated, even when lying down. Refrain from any strenuous activity.
5. We usually recommend a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, or aspirin for at least three to five days following treatment. If you cannot take any anti-inflammatory medication, then take extra-strength Tylenol. If any of the recommended painkillers are not effective relieving the pain, you should call the office.
6. Take all prescribed medication as directed.
7. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water (one teaspoon salt to 8 oz. of warm water), three to four times a day may also be helpful in relieving discomfort.
8. If you initially feel better, but then get significantly worse two or three days after treatment, you may be experiencing what is known as a "flare-up." This is not a common occurrence, but if it happens, please contact our office.
9. There is usually no necessary "waiting period" for you to see your general dentist. Unless otherwise indicated, have the tooth restored as soon as possible. Do not wait more than two to four weeks.
10. We routinely like to perform a follow-up exam at least six months after the treatment. We want to evaluate the treatment outcome, be sure that you have regained normal function with the tooth, and determine the presence of bone healing. There is no charge for this visit.

Following Surgical Endodontics (Apicoectomy):

1. Do not lift or pull on lips. This may cause tearing out of the sutures.
2. Some swelling and discoloration is normal and will gradually disappear.
3. To minimize swelling, use ice pack application on the face, over the operated area. The pack should be used - on for 20 minutes, off for 10 minutes - and should be continued during the first day only.
4. Starting tomorrow, rinse with warm salt water (one teaspoon to 8 oz. of warm water), as often as possible. Continue this rinsing for one week.
5. Eat foods that will be nourishing but will not require vigorous chewing the first few days, i.e., eggs, soups, milk shakes, etc.
6. Slight bleeding, pain or swelling, during the first couple of days, is normal.
7. Brush your teeth, being extremely careful in the operated area. Mouthwash may be used.
8. For pain - ibuprofen is recommended. Follow the instruction of the your doctor concerning your medication(s).
9. If there is an elevated temperature, excessive bleeding, swelling or uncontrolled discomfort, please call the office.
10. There will be at least two follow-up appointments. The first follow-up will be in a few days to have your sutures removed. The second appointment will be after a few weeks, so that we may evaluate the soft tissue (gum) healing. Additional follow-up appointments may be necessary.

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