Instructions

Initial Visit to Denton Endodontics

Please bring the following items to your 1^st visit:

Completed patient forms, if possible – visit the Patient Forms page to print of all of the forms (would be nice to have “Patient Forms” in this line as a link to the patient forms page)

Following Root Canal Therapy or Retreatment

The tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be slightly sore and tender for several days due to the procedure itself and the previous condition of your tooth. This discomfort is absolutely normal and is no cause for alarm. In most cases, this discomfort gradually tapers off after 48-72 hours.

For your mild discomfort, we highly recommend taking what you would normally take for a headache. Use over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed on the package and by Dr. Carroll.

Should you have discomfort that is not alleviated by the above medications or experience swelling of the surrounding tissues following treatment, please contact our office for further instructions.

Do not chew food on the treated tooth until all treatment is completed, including the placement of a filling or crown by your restorative dentist. Failure to follow this instruction could result in fracture of the tooth or loss of the temporary filling, possibly leading to recontamination of the root canal system.

Following Endodontic Surgery (Apicoectomy)

Expect mild discomfort at the surgical site as well as bruising and minor swelling of the soft tissues. This is normal for the first several days following the procedure. Use over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed on the package and by Dr. Carroll.

Avoid all temptation to lift your lip and take a look at the sutures that have been placed. This tension can cause the sutures to become loose and can result in less satisfactory gum healing. Activities such as vigorous chewing can cause the same result. If you believe that any sutures have been lost in the first 48 hours, contact our office. You may need to be seen to replace the lost suture(s). Most sutures are designed to dissolve on their own between days 5-14, so suture loss during this time frame is normal and expected.

Soft foods such as puddings, Jell-O, mashed potatoes, and broth soups are recommended in the first 48 hours. After this time period, a transition can be made to harder foods, but tough foods such as steak or crunchy food such as chips should still be avoided until days 5-7.

Avoid brushing the sutured/surgical area for the first 3-5 days. Light rinses (1 tsp. salt in 8 oz. warm water) can be used to keep the area clean during this time period as well as the use of a moist Q-tip. At day 5, light brushing of the area can be resumed, with normal brushing beginning day 7-10.