POST TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

1. ROOT CANAL TREATMENT:  Patients may experience discomfort with endodontic treatment.  This is normal and is due to irritation produced by the inflammation that was present in your tooth.  the tooth should feel much better in three to five days. To minimize discomfort, avoid chewing on the tooth for several days.  Upon completion of the root canal therapy a temporary restoration is usually placed in the tooth.  It is important that you have a permanent restoration placed on the tooth as soon as possible.  This will protect the root canal from possible recontamination by saliva and bacteria and prevents possible fracture of the remaining tooth structure.  In most cases this restoration is followed by a crown or cap to fully protect the tooth.

2.  CROWNS AND BRIDGES:  If you received anesthesia it is best to refrain from eating for at least two hours or until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possible injury to your tongue or soft tissues.  If you have a temporary restoration be careful flossing and pull the floss thru and not up as you may dislodge the temporary.  Make sure you brush and try not to chew hard foods on the temporary.  If the temporary comes off please call the office as soon as possible.  Often you may be able to put the temporary back in place using some Vaseline inside the temporary or by purchasing some temporary cement at your local pharmacy.  Sensitivity to hot and cold is quite normal for the first few days.  Occasionally there will be discomfort in your gums around your tooth.  A warm salt water rinse will help heal the tissues.  If your bite feels funny with the temporary or permanent restoration after a few days please call our office to arrange for a slight adjustment appointment.

3.  EXTRACTIONS:  It is normal for a small amount of bleeding to persist for several hours following surgery.  This actually seems like more than it really is because of the saliva in your mouth.  Bleeding is best controlled by gauze pressure for about 30 minutes.  Another way to stop the bleeding is to put a wet tea bag over the area for about ten minutes.  The tannic acid in tea will help the blood to clot.  Swelling can be reduced by placing ice against your face in a towel for periods of 15 minute cycles on and off for the first 12 hours.  Do not rinse the day of surgery.  The day after surgery you may gently rinse with warm salt water several times a day for several days.  Do not drink through a straw or smoke or consume alcohol for the first 48 hours as this may dislodge or dissolve the blood clot that has formed.  A soft diet is recommended for the first 24-48 hours.  Brush gently after the first 24 hours and keep the area as clean as possible.