ROOT CANAL POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
These instructions are designed to minimize your post endodontic treatment discomfort.
- You can expect to have soreness, pain and/or discomfort, and throbbing with your tooth and around your gums after the root canal procedure. This is normal and can last from several days to several weeks.
- It is recommended that you take Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) 800 mg every 6-8 hours for approximately 3 days for postoperative discomfort. If you cannot take ibuprofen, 1000 mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the best substitute. The doctor will give you prescription medications if necessary. Take the medications as needed for pain. Prescribed pain relievers are to be taken at night. DO NOT DRIVE while on this medication as they may have a sedative effect. You may alternate the use of ibuprofen with the prescription pain medication. Do not take them at the same time.
- If you are prescribed an antibiotic, take it as prescribed with food and complete the prescription. Do not stop taking the medication when you feel better. As with any medication, if you notice itching, rash, upset stomach, or difficulty breathing, stop taking the medication immediately and contact the doctor. NOTE: Antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of contraceptive medications.
- After the procedure is completed, you will have a temporary filling in your tooth, YOU MUST contact your general dentist and make an appointment for a build-up and crown preferably between 2-6 weeks but no longer than 8 weeks. This will prevent fracture of your tooth and/or the need for retreatment of the root canal. If you have a temporary crown already in place from your general dentist, you must have a permanent build-up placed prior to cementation of the permanent crown. If the temporary crown comes off contact your general dentist.
- Brush and floss as usual.
- Wait 1 hour before eating so the temporary filling can fully set-up. Eat whatever feels comfortable to you. DO NOT eat any foods that are crunchy, sticky, chewy or hard until you have your permanent crown. We advise you to refrain from touching, tapping, and/or pushing on the tooth, as it will elicit unnecessary discomfort following root canal treatment and my delay healing.
- In certain cases your doctor will request a follow-up appointment in 6 months to reevaluate healing. This is NOT always needed. If so, schedule this appointment prior to leaving the office. You will be reminded of this appointment two days prior to that date.
- If you have any questions please contact the office (941)907-8300.
FREE GINGIVAL GRAFT (FGG) POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Congratulations on having your corrective gum surgery known as a Gingival graft procedure. The following may be helpful information about the procedure and follow up care.
A small piece of hard gum tissue was harvested from the roof of your mouth (it will feel huge to your tongue). It was placed where you needed Corrective surgery to help arrest further gum and bone loss to save your teeth. Some bleeding from this area is normal and should subside by the next day. You will be given a healing stint (A clear plastic guard that fits over the teeth and across your hard palate). It is advised to wear the healing stint for the first 24 hours so it may act as a bandage to promote healing and comfort.
After the first 24 hours post surgery you can gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 tsp. salt to 8 oz. warm as you can stand it water). Clean stint gently. At this time you can assess your comfort needs. If you are comfortable and feel you do not want to wear the stint you do not have to wear it. If you are more comfortable with stint in your mouth please wear it. You can wear the stint while eating. You may be more comfortable if you do so.
A surgical dressing may be placed to cover the area of your mouth where the grafted tissue was transplanted. It will appear pink in color (the color like bubble gum or silly putty). It is important not to remove this dressing yourself. The doctor will remove the dressing at your next appointment. This dressing acts as a cast or guard to keep the growing tissue tight against the healing site.
The only way the grafting will fail is if the tissue gets moved or knocked off. It is important not to disturb the grafting tissue during the initial 2 weeks healing phase. So it’s important to do the following:
- Don’t brush or floss the area where the pink cast material is
- Very gently rinse with warm salt water (1 tsp. to 8oz warm as you can stand it water). Several times a day for the first 5 days.
- Use an ice pack for swelling (10 minutes on 10 minutes off) for the first 24 hours- if you like. If swelling seems to last longer than 3days / 72 hour post surgery please call the office.
- Take pain medicine as needed. Your doctor may give you a prescription for pain medicine, take as directed. Or you may take over the counter pain relief medication.
- Maintain a soft diet (cooked food you can cut with a fork). Avoid hard crunchy foods like salads and chips which could jab the gums possibly irritating or knocking off the surgical dressing or grafted tissue.
- Leaving graft site alone is the best thing to do.
As always please feel free to call the office at any time if you have any questions or concerns.
Food Suggestions:
Anything soft and easy to eat without a lot of chewing:
How long: First couple of days.
Macaroni & cheese, Mashed potatoes, Scrambled eggs, Cottage cheese, Oatmeal, Pasta, Thick milkshakes eat with spoon, Yogurt, Applesauce,Baked Potato, Soft cooked Chicken, Soup, etc..
Nothing spicy or crunchy, No acidic foods or beverages (Tomato based/ orange juice etc.) , No soda, No drinking with a straw.
POST OPERATIVE EXTRACTION INSTRUCTIONS
- Stay Biting down on gauze for 30 mins. If you feel it is necessary to repack extraction site take a few pieces of gauze dampen slightly bite down fold in half twice place over extraction site so dressing has firm contact with wound but does not cause a lot of stress to your joint. If replacing gauze dressing, leave in mouth for at least 40-60 minutes. Removing frequently promotes bleeding.
- Use an ice pack for swelling. Apply 10 minutes on 10 minutes off for as long as you can do it. If more than one extraction site, alternate between sites.
- Use moist heat (i.e, very warm wet wash cloth) for muscle tenderness or joint soreness.
- AVOID rinsing, spitting or drinking thru a straw or anything that would cause sucking or pulling action in your mouth-this could dislodge the blood clot that is forming in the socket that is necessary for comfortable healing, and could promote a condition known as a dry socket requiring further treatment by your dentist.
- If given prescriptions after dental surgery (extractions) fill immediately. Take as prescribed. It is necessary to take all antibiotics prescribed to help prevent any secondary infection that may occur. Not all dental surgeries are the same. Your dentist may not prescribe the same medications for different procedures. All prescriptions will be reviewed with you. Please read the labels on all medications you are given – take as directed. Please never hesitate to ask any questions you may have regarding your prescriptions at anytime.
- Soft diet may be needed for the first few meals. A soft diet is anything cooked that can be cut with a fork.
- Please limit your physical activity following surgery. You should be able to resume normal activity in a day or two.
Please Notify the Office / Doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Pain or swelling increases after 3 days (it should be decreasing)
- If sutures were placed and they become dislodged before 3 days.
- If you have any signs which may indicate a drug reaction or allergy such as itching , hives, rash, difficulty breathing.
- You develop a fever or body temperature becomes higher than 100 F (taken orally)
- Pain in your jaw is not relieved by prescribed pain medication.
- If you have difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- If you have persistent moderate bleeding, nausea or pain that prevents drinking adequate fluids
- If you have any questions regarding your treatment.
As always please feel free to call the office at anytime if you have any questions or concerns
Food Suggestions:
How Long: First couple of days.
What you can eat: Anything soft and easy to eat without a lot of chewing
Example Foods:
Macaroni & cheese, Mashed potatoes, Scrambled eggs, Cottage Cheese, Oatmeal, Pasta, Thick milkshakes – eat with a spoon, Yogurt, Applesauce, Baked Potato, Sweet Potato, Soft cooked Chicken , Soup…
CAN NOT HAVE…
Nothing spicy or crunchy, No acidic foods or beverages (tomato based / orange juice etc.), No soda, No drinking with a straw, No spitting.
SCALING AND ROOT PLANNING (SRP) POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Scaling and Root Planning Information:
Periodontal therapy involves continuous self-maintenance and ongoing treatment. Scaling is performed to remove plaque and tartar deposits and planning under the gum is done to smooth the root surface, allowing the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth.
What to expect:
Discomfort:
Discomfort immediately after treatment is usually associated with slight throbbing or aching and occasionally may be uncomfortable. This discomfort usually subsides in about four hours. Any discomfort due to brushing should get better in one to several days. Your gums may become “itchy” or uncomfortable and a couple of Advil should eliminate any discomfort. Swelling or jaw stiffness occur very rarely, however if it does, apply warm, moist towels to the face in the area of the stiffness.
Sensitivity:
Sensitivity to temperature changes and/or sweets may temporarily occur. Removing all plaque from the tooth with a tooth brush or Q-Tip, placing a dab of sensitive toothpaste or fluoride toothpaste on the tooth should stop sensitivity within a few days. If tooth sensitivity persists, use desensitizing toothpaste such as Sensitive Crest or Aquafresh, and avoid Tartar Control Tooth Paste. If a local anesthetic was used, avoid chewing foods until feeling returns to avoid injury to the tongue or cheeks. If the sensitivity is severe and prolonged, professional application of a desensitizing agent may be required. The sensitivity to temperature may be intense the first several days and usually diminishes quickly.
Bleeding:
Some slight bleeding may occur during the next several brushings but the bleeding should steadily decrease after two or three days. If you have heavy non-stop bleeding contact the office.
Appearance:
Root surfaces may be more exposed as the swelling of the inflamed gum tissue goes away. This may result in more space between the teeth. Although this treatment is necessary, please understand that this is not a cure. Risks associated with scaling and root planning includes, but is not limited to, the following:
| * hot & cold sensitivity * sweet sensitivity * injection pain/ numbness |
* pain / discomfort * throbbing * bleeding |
* Abscess * Infection * TMJ |
Please do not smoke following scaling and root planning procedures. Tobacco smoke is an irritant to healing. Refrain from smoking for 48 hours (Recommend 7days).
Diet & Eating:
If extensive root planning was performed, chewing hard foods, such as meat or raw vegetables may be uncomfortable. Avoid any hard foods such as potato chips, Fritos, popcorn, etc. for the next 3-4 days. This should last no longer than a few days. A diet of a softer consistency would be advised until chewing becomes more comfortable. Your first meal should be soft. The worst thing you could have is hot soup. No hot food or beverages for 2 days.
Oral Hygiene:
If gum tissues are tender, brush your teeth gently but thoroughly. By the third or fourth day, normal oral hygiene techniques can be resumed. Rinse your mouth 2-3 times per day with warm salt water – 1/2 teaspoon of salt per 8oz of water, unless otherwise directed (you can add up to 1/3 teaspoon of peroxide). Use of rinses should be limited to one to two consecutive weeks.
| Recommended: | *Clinpro 5000 | *Peridex | *PerioMed |
It is recommended that you return for a 6-week re-evaluation and then 3-4 month cleanings for the first year after periodontal treatment. If symptoms are severe or persistent, or if an abscess (gum boil) should appear, please call the office immediately.