Surgical Instructions for Richardson Residents
Before Endodontic Treatment
Continue a regular diet and take all prescribed medications. You shouldn’t need a friend or family member drive you to and from our office. In most cases, you’ll only need local anesthesia to achieve optimal comfort. We may also recommend antibiotic therapy up to endodontic treatment. Infection inside of the tooth may lead to numerous oral and overall health concerns if not pre-treated. Be sure to complete your antibiotic regimen as prescribed. You may also wish to take two ibuprofen or NSAID pills about two hours prior to treatment to reduce inflammation. If you’re concerned about any of your medications or other pre-treatment directions, please don’t hesitate to give our team a call.
Home Care Instructions
Following your endodontic treatment, you may experience some soft tissue swelling, discomfort, or sensitivity to changes in temperature. You shouldn’t be alarmed if you experience this mild discomfort for the first few days after treatment. If this discomfort increases or lingers for more than a week following treatment, please contact us right away.
In the days following root canal or other endodontic treatments, avoid chewing foods with the side of your mouth that was treated, until the area is completely recovered, especially if you are still waiting for your dental crown or other restoration from your general dentist. You should continue to brush and floss as usual, unless otherwise directed by Dr. Ortiz.
If you experience discomfort or inflammation, you should take over the counter pain relievers. We recommend acetaminophen, but you can also use ibuprofen or NSAID. You may also want to use ice packs at twenty minute intervals (20 on/20 off). We also encourage you to avoid drinking alcohol during this time.
After Completion of Endodontic Treatment
Directly following your endodontic treatment in our office, the inner parts of your tooth will be fully repaired, but you’ll only receive a temporary restoration to reseal the access hole drilled into the tooth. You’ll need to work with your general dentist or a local prosthodontist (specialist in restoring teeth) to create a dental crown to fully repair, strengthen, and protect your root canal treated tooth. If you haven’t already made plans for this restoration, we’ll be happy to work with you to find the right solution.
At some point following your endodontic treatment, you’ll receive a post card to visit us for a six month follow up visit. This visit typically lasts just a few minutes, and will require no additional charge. We simply want to ensure your tooth has fully healed.
Are There Any Potential Problems After Treatment?
You may experience a post-operative infection in rare cases. This can require additional trips to our office. We will start by prescribing an antibiotic to remove the infection. If this does not renew your health, endodontic retreatment may be necessary.
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