After Surgery

You have had a surgical procedure and should expect to be moderately uncomfortable.  The discomfort will be minimized if you do the following:

1. Mild discomfort following surgery is normal.  600 mg of Ibuprofen or 500 mg of Tylenol should be sufficient. You have been given a prescription for pain or an antibiotic regimen, take it as directed.

2. If gauze dressing has been applied, gently discard 30 minutes after leaving the office.

3. Do not lift or pull the lip to examine the surgical area because repeated irritations may delay healing.

4. Slight swelling and skin discoloration are normal.  In order to minimize swelling, apply an ice pack over the surgical area with gentle pressure, 20 minutes on and 10 minutes off, for a period of 3-4 hours and not to exceed 6 hours.

5. Adequate food and fluid intake following surgery are most important.  Soft cold foods are best, such as ice cream, jello, pudding, yogurt.  Crusty, hard, very warm foods and carbonated beverages should be avoided.  If eating is difficult, a diet supplement (eg. Sego, Nutrament, Slender) is recommended.

6. Avoid strenuous activity for the next few days and rest as much as possible.

7. For 24 hours following surgery, a soft toothbrush may be carefully used in the areas of the mouth involved in the surgical procedure.  DO NOT floss.

8. Avoid rinsing until evening.  Thereafter, gently rinse with warm salt water or Listerine after each meal and at bedtime continue this procedure for 3-5 days.

9. Sleep with the head slightly elevated the first night following surgery.

10. Do not smoke for the first 24 hours following surgery.

11. Slight oozing or bleeding is normal for the first 24 hours.  If bleeding persists, apply firm and steady pressure with a cold moistened tea bag for 20 minutes.  If bleeding continues, please call.

12. Any unusual symptoms such as excessive bleeding, swelling, or elevated temperature should be reported immediately. 

14. Do not be alarmed if during the healing progress some of the sutures become dislodged.  They are often designed to dissolve over a period of time.  It is important that you return for a post-operative visit in 5-7 days.

 Feel free to call on us at any time for advice or help.  It is our desire to have you as comfortable as possible during the healing period.

Are There Any Potential Problems After Surgery?

• 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 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 usually requires just an office visit and examination. Many times, placing you on an antibiotic for one week will take care of the infection Occasionally, other follow-up procedures will be needed.

If you have any questions, please call our office at Centreville Endodontics Phone Number 703-815-ENDO (3636)