Post Treatment Instructions:
1. Root Canals
2. Apical Surgeries
ROOT CANAL POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Don’t eat for an hour. It is normal to feel tenderness in the treated area for the next few days. However, if you experience any swelling, fever, chills or discomfort, such as a continuing dull ache lasting for longer than 1 week, please call us.
Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your restorative dentist has placed a permanent restoration. Although you can brush and floss as usual.
Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) generally works the best to manage post-treatment discomfort. We recommend:
600mg - 800mg Ibuprofen every 6 hours for 2 days, and you may continue for 1 week as needed.
500mg - 1000mg Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) every 6 hours for 2 days.
These medications can be taken together and work well when alternated.
Do not use any of the above medications that your physician or pharmacist has advised you not to take. Please follow manufacturer’s instructions and discontinue alcohol consumption while taking these medications. Immediately stop using any drug that causes stomach upset or allergic reactions (including hives, rash, facial swelling, asthma, or wheezing). Seek immediate medical attention if any complications arise. Take all of your routine medications according to instructions.
Any condition can change. Some diseases worsen despite proper treatment. Some problems begin with unusual or vague symptoms and may require passage of time for symptoms and findings to develop before the correct diagnosis can be made. Please call us if your condition worsens in any way.
Regular Office Hours: Mon-Fri 7:45-3:30
618.808.0511
After Hours:
Emergency cell phone: 618.670.0194 (For patients of record only)
If you reach the doctor’s voice mail, speak slowly and leave your phone number twice. If the doctor has not called back within one hour, please call again. Before calling, have your pharmacy number available in case the doctor needs to call in a prescription. If you are having a true emergency please proceed directly to the emergency room for care.
MICRO-SURGICAL (APICO) POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Your local anesthesia will wear off in 2-4 hours. It is normal to feel tenderness in the treated area for the next couple of days. However, if you experience any swelling, fever, chills or discomfort, such as a continuing dull ache lasting for longer than 1 week, please call us.
Take medications as prescribed. (Do not use any medication that your physician, pharmacist, etc. has advised you not take.) Please follow manufacturer’s instructions and discontinue alcohol use with medications. Take any/all routine medications as directed by your physician. Immediately stop using any drug that causes stomach upset or allergic reactions including hives, rash, facial swelling, asthma, or wheezing. Seek immediate medical attention if any complications arise.
Please rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day.
Apply ice to the surgical site for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off, for 6 hours after surgery. Applications after this period will have only a slight benefit.
Eat meals at regular intervals but avoid food that may traumatize the incision site. Avoid spicy and hot (temperature) foods. Good foods are eggs, soup, pancakes, milkshakes or yogurt. Sleep with 2 pillows to slightly elevate your head during the first night.
We will send a report that includes x-rays to your general dentist.
If a specimen was sent to the pathologist, you will receive a statement from Oral Pathology Consultants.
Regular Office Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-5:00
618.808.0511
After Hours:
emergency cell phone: 618.670.0194 (For patients of record only)
If you reach the doctor’s voicemail, speak slowly and leave your phone number twice. If the doctor has not called back within one hour, please call again. Before calling, have your pharmacy number available in case the doctor needs to call in a prescription. If you are having a true emergency please proceed directly to the emergency room for care.