BEFORE & AFTER CARE

PRIOR TO ENDODONTIC TREATMENT
 
Root canal treatment is typically done with local anesthetic and does not inhibit the ability to drive following the procedure.
Please continue to take all prescribed medications as directed by your physician for high blood pressure, diabetes, and other medical conditions.  If you are concerned about a medication or condition impacting your treatment, please call our office.
If you are diabetic, please be sure to continue eating regular meals prior to your appointment.  If you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant, please advise our office prior to your appointment.
In the event you typically take antibiotics prior to dental treatment for heart problems or prosthetic joints, please be sure to obtain the necessary antibiotics from your physician prior to your appointment.  If you are unsure of this, please contact our office or your physician.
Unless you are unable to take ibuprofen (Advil) or other NSAIDS due to a medical condition, it is recommended that a standard dose be taken 2 hours prior to your appointment.  This will help to address the inflammation that may be causing some of your pain or discomfort.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Following root canal treatment, slight tenderness around the tooth and gum may occur for the next several days.  This is a normal occurrence and is not cause for concern.  To protect your tooth and the temporary filling in it, please try to avoid chewing with the tooth until your dentist has had a chance to place a final filling.  Unless instructed otherwise, it is okay to continue brushing and flossing as normal.  To best alleviate discomfort following dental care, take ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen as directed by the manufacturer.  It is strongly recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking any of these medications.

AFTER TREATMENT

Endodontic treatment has now been completed. The root canal system has been permanently sealed. However, the outer surface is sealed with a temporary restoration. A follow-up restoration must be placed to protect your tooth against fracture and decay. Please telephone your restorative dentist for an appointment. A complete report of treatment including x-rays will be sent to your restorative dentist. Included in your treatment is a follow-up examination to evaluate the progress of healing. This appointment will require only a few minutes and no additional fee will be charged. Depending on your individual case the doctor will notify you when to schedule the appropriate recall(s).
Your tooth is more prone to fracture immediately after endodontic treatment. You should chew on the other side until your restorative dentist has placed a core build-up and a protective restoration, usually a crown. Your restorative dentist will determine the appropriate restoration to best protect your tooth.
 
Are There Any Potential Problems After Treatment?
 

• Lower teeth and nerve injury. There is a slight possibility that nerve injury can occur during root canal surgery to the lower posterior teeth. Your Endodontist is trained to assess this possibility prior to treatment and will advise you accordingly. For lower posterior teeth, the root tips may be near a nerve that supplies feeling to the lip, chin and gums. Your Endodontist is trained to design your surgery to minimize the chances of damaging this nerve. Rarely, this nerve can become irritated during the process of surgery. In these cases, when the local anesthesia wears off, you may experience tingling, altered sensation or, in rare cases a complete lack of feeling in the affected tissues. Should this occur, it is usually temporary and will resolve over a period of days, weeks or months. In rare cases, these changes can be permanent and/or painful.

• Upper teeth and sinus communication. The upper teeth are situated near your sinuses, and root canal surgery can result in a communication between your mouth and the adjacent sinus. Should this complication occur, it will usually heal spontaneously. We will give you special instructions if this is apparent at the time of surgery. We prefer that you don’t blow your nose for two to three days after surgery. If you have to sneeze, you should sneeze with an open mouth into a tissue. You should not create any pressure in the sinus area. If you sense a complication after surgery, please contact us.

• Post-operative infections. Post-operative infections occasionally occur. This is no cause for alarm and usually require a one week regimen of antibiotics.