- Swelling, minor pain, and skin discoloration may be expected. This will be temporary.
- In order to keep swelling to a minimum, use an ice pack on the face over the surgical area. The ice pack should be used for 10 to 15 minutes on the area and 5 to 10 minutes off, etc... This is done during normal waking hours for the remainder of the day.
- To control discomfort, Tylenol or Advil should be sufficient. If using Advil take 3 tablets every four hours or 4 tablets every six hours for discomfort.
- If additional bleeding occurs, place a gauze pad over the surgical site and apply pressure with the ice pack or apply a moistened cold tea bag to the affected area for twenty minutes (repeat if necessary). If unsuccessful in stopping the bleeding, notify the doctor immediately.
- Because drainage is expected the first night, we recommended placing a towel over your pillow to protect it.
- Do not smoke for 24 hours following surgery.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages for 24 hours following surgery.
- You may eat and drink but avoid the surgical area.
- Do not raise your lip to inspect the treated area. This may pull a suture and daily healing. Sutures will fall out by themselves and we will schedule a brief appointment in the next two or three weeks to check the surgical site.
- Brush your teeth tonight before going to bed. Be careful to keep brush bristles away from the surgical area.
- Do not rinse or use mouthwash for 24 hours.
- Starting tomorrow, use warm salt water rinses (1/2 teaspoon salt to 8 ounces of warm water) on the treated area under the lip or cheek. Rinse for 2 to 3 minutes after each meal and before bedtime to remove any food particles.
- We may send a tissue specimen to the laboratory for examination. You will receive a separate bill from the laboratory for this service.
- If you have any questions please call the office any time of the day or evening.
As always, if you have any questions regarding these instructions or your treatment, please give us a call at 410-321-5700.
Now that Root Canal Treatment Is Completed...
- You may experience some discomfort for the next few days. This is a common occurrence and if necessary you can take over-the-counter pain medication as directed to quiet the tooth.
- The opening that was made in your tooth to do the root canal has been sealed with a temporary filling. Please arrange to see your family dentist within the next few weeks to have your tooth permanently restored.
- Usually the teeth that require root canal treatment have been weakened by previous decay and large fillings. It is often necessary for this tooth to receive additional protection by restoring it with a crown (cap). Your family dentist is best qualified to determine the ideal restoration for your tooth. Discuss the alternatives with them.
- A summary of your treatment and an x-ray of the completed root canal will be sent to your dentist. We would like you to return to our office periodically for a check up to be sure the tissues around the tooth have healed properly. There is no charge for this check-up visit.
If you have any questions or difficulty with your tooth, please call us at any time.
Following Today's Treatment...
It is possible that your tooth will be sore for a few days. There is no cause for alarm since this is a perfectly normal reaction. Any over-the-counter pain medication should be adequate to control your discomfort. Should you experience swelling or excessive pain please contact the office. Discomfort following treatment in no way affects the successful outcome of this procedure.
It is normal for a thin layer of the temporary restoration to be worn away between appointments. We suggest that you try to avoid chewing on this tooth until the root canal treatment has been completed. You can brush your teeth normally, the temporary filling will not be affected. Should the filling come out, or if you are in doubt, call the office. Following completion of the root canal you will have to return to your regular dentist for a permanent restoration.
If you have any questions or problems concerning your treatment please do not hesitate to call the office at any time.
- Please schedule your appointment on a day that you will be able to take off for the rest of the day.
- If you take any blood thinners daily such as ASPIRIN, COUMADIN, HEPARIN, IBUPROFEN, MOTRIN, ALEVE, ETC...you must consult with your physician at least seven (7) days before your surgery and advise Dr. Richardson of that conversation. We usually recommend ceasing these medications several days prior to surgery.
- Do not have any alcohol five (5) days before surgery or two (2) days after surgery.
- If you are a patient who requires PRE-MEDICATION with ANTIBIOTICS, please remember to take this at the prescribed time and dosage before your appointment. You will also need to do this before your suture removal, if suture removal is needed. You will not need to do this for a three week post-surgical checkup.
- If your physician has you pre-medicated with Valium, you must have someone drive you to your appointment and drive you home afterwards.
- You may eat/drink normally before your appointment, and we encourage you to do so.
- We suggest you have approximately 6 oz. of pineapple juice or 3 slices of pineapple per day for 3 days prior to surgery to help reduce swelling and bruising. If you have an allergy to pineapple, please disregard this instruction.
- At the time of the surgery, a tissue sample may be removed and sent to a pathologist for evaluation for which you will be billed separately by the pathologist.
- After your procedure, we will fully explain the post-operative instructions to you. Some items to have on hand at home are:
- Ice bag or frozen bag of peas or corn
- Pineapple juice or slices
- Various soft foods (non-spicy)
As always, if you have any questions regarding these instructions or your treatment, please give us a call at 410-321-5700.
