After Completion of Endodontic Treatment
Endodontic treatment has now been completed. The root canal system has been permanently sealed. However, if we recommended you have a crown placed on the tooth, please telephone your restorative dentist for an appointment. A complete report of treatment 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 for the first check-up visit. You will receive a post-card in six months for your recall appointment.
Home Care Instructions
Your tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be slightly tender for several weeks as a result of manipulation during treatment and any previous infection inside your tooth or jaw. Post-operative soreness and tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm. You may find it convenient to avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it calms down. You may continue your regular dental hygiene regimen. Discomfort may be alleviated by taking ibuprofen (Advil), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed.
NOTE: Alcohol intake is not advised while taking any of these medications. Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the above listed medications, or should swelling develop, please contact our office at 405-329-7936.
If You Had Endodontic Surgery…
Are There Any Potential Problems After Surgery?
- Lower teeth and nerve injury. There is a very slight possibility that nerve injury can occur during endodontic 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 resolves over a period of days, weeks or months.
- Upper teeth and sinus communication. The upper teeth are situated near your sinuses, and endodontic 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 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 405-329-7936