After Your Appointment
AFTER YOUR ROOT CANAL
1. Please avoid eating or drinking hot fluids until the local anaesthetic has completely worn off (cold drinks are acceptable). You may want to favour the opposite side of your mouth if you need to eat. The anaesthetic will generally last from 1 to 4 hours following the completion of the root canal treatment.
2. A temporary filling has been placed in your tooth.
3. It is necessary you return to your family dentist within 14 days to have a permanent filling placed to protect your tooth against fracture and decay. Please call your family dentist today or as soon as possible to arrange for this appointment. Your family dentist may also recommend placing an additional restoration such as a cap/crown to provide additional protection to your tooth.
4. You may experience some discomfort with the tooth that has been treated, especially associated with biting. This may last 14 days or more, and will eventually go away. It is important that you have the permanent filling placed even if the tooth remains slightly sensitive. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
5. Please avoid normal chewing (as much as reasonably possible) on the treated tooth until the permanent filling has been placed.
6. If medication(s) have been prescribed, please take according to directions.
7. Notify our office in the event of any significant swelling or pain.
8. A complete report of the Endodontic treatment provided will be forwarded to your general dentist.
Included in your treatment is a follow-up examination to evaluate the progress of healing. Even though your tooth may be comfortable, a follow-up examination is ideal but not mandatory. There is no additional fee for this.
POST-SURGICAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Avoid strenuous activity for the next few days. Routine mild activity is not harmful.
2. Smoking and alcohol consumption delay the healing process and should be avoided or minimized for 3 days following surgery.
3. It is essential that you maintain an adequate diet with proper solid and fluid intake. A diet which includes fruit juices, soups, soft foods and liquid food supplements such as Carnation Instant Breakfast, Ensure etc., is recommended.
4. Avoid manipulation of the facial tissues as much as possible during the next 3 days. Do not raise the lip or pull back the cheeks to inspect the surgical site, because you might tear the stitches.
5. Some oozing of blood is normal during the day and evening of the surgery. Slight to moderate swelling and facial skin discolouration ( bruising), may be experienced. This is temporary and will usually resolve on it’s own in a few days.
6. To minimize the above, apply an ice bag with firm pressure to the face directly over the surgical site. A plastic “baggie” filled with ice cubes and wrapped in a layer of paper toweling or cloth can be used. You should apply the ice bag alternately 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off, for the remainder of the day following the surgery.
7. Postsurgical discomfort is usually minimal, but the surgical site will be tender. For this reason you should follow the analgesic regimen recommended.
8. Careful tooth brushing is desirable and promotes healing. The bristles of the brush should not contact the surgical area. Brush everywhere else.
9. Rinse over the surgical area with 1 tablespoon of Chlorhexidine Mouthrinse diluted with 1 tablespoon of water, (equal parts as indicated on the bottle), for 60 seconds, twice per day for at least 5 days following the surgery.
10. Refrain from drinking through a straw for 1 week.
11. The sutures ( stitches), that have been placed, should, generally, be removed. It is important that you return at the appointed time for the suture removal