Surgery After-Care instructions 

Following surgery, rest and avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day.   It is normal to experience some swelling, discomfort and discoloration for 3-5 days after your surgery.  This is a normal part of the healing process.  Some seepage of blood in the area is normal during the first 24 hours; if this continues past the first 24 hours, contact our office.  The operated tooth may feel loose for a short period of time.  This is also normal, and will feel tighter with time.  Start taking the prescribed pain medication  and antibiotic promptly after your surgery.  If you can take Ibuprofen, 3-4 tablets (200mg each 600-800mg total) should be taken in combination with the narcotic alternating the medicines.   

Apply an ice bag or cold compress to the outside of the face over the operated area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first day.  This will help keep swelling and discoloration to a minimum.   On the second day, apply moist heat to the outside of the face.   Eat only soft food for the first 24 hours; avoid chewing in the operated area until the sutures are removed or you have had a follow-up appointment.  Do not brush the area for the first 24 hours; after 24 hours gently brush the teeth alone (avoiding the gums in the operated area).  Do not floss the area until the sutures are removed.  After 24 hours, use lukewarm salt water to gently rinse the treated area after meals.  (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water)

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Are There Any Potential Problems After Treatment?

  • 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 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 Kingwood Office Phone Number 281-359-3636