Root Canal Instructions

Preparation for Root Canal Treatment

Preparation

This procedure will be performed using local anesthesia. There are usually no restrictions after the procedure concerning driving or returning to work. A doctor is available for consultation at all times should a problem arise after your treatment.

Please eat a full breakfast or lunch as applicable.

If you can take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin or Aleve), it does help reduce inflammation when taken pre-operatively. We recommend 2 tablets of either medication 1hour before endodontic therapy.

Continue all medications for blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems and any other conditions as recommended by your physician.

If you have been advised by your physician or dentist to use antibiotic premedication because of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), hip, knee, cardiac or other prosthesis, or if you have rheumatic heart disease, please make sure you are on the appropriate antibiotic on the day of your appointment.

If there is a question, please call our office prior to your appointment.

After Root Canal Treatment

While you are anaesthetized, “frozen”, and may not have feeling in the area, please avoid eating or drinking anything hot as you may not feel the heat and may burn yourself.

You may experience some discomfort on the tooth that has been treated. This may last anywhere between 1-2 weeks. Swelling in the affected area may also occur. These are not unusual post-operative events.

Please continue with any medications prescribed, unless instructed otherwise by the doctor. Notify the office of any problems that may arise from medications being taken.

Remember… If you have any questions or concerns regarding your treatment, please do not hesitate to contact our office!!!

You may have had a temporary restoration placed in your tooth:

If root canal therapy has been initiated you must schedule an additional appointment(s) at our office for completion.

If root canal therapy has been completed, you must return to your regular dentist to have the temporary filling replaced. A crown may be recommended. Please avoid pressure or chewing on the tooth (teeth) that has been treated until you have seen your regular dentist for permanent restoration.

Please call your dentist as soon as possible after completion of root canal treatment to make an appointment at a time which is convenient for you and your dentist for permanent restoration.

After Surgical Treatment

After surgical root canal therapy has been performed, there are post operative instructions that must be followed in order to aid in the healing process.

The First 24 Hours

You will need to care for the area the most within the first 24 hours following treatment. Immediately after your treatment it is very important to place an icepack on the outside of the treated area. Ten minutes on – ten minutes off for the remainder of the first day. This will aid you in any swelling that may occur. Please keep in mind that there may be increased swelling on the third or fourth day following your treatment and that this may be part of normal healing. We also recommend that you sleep with your head in an elevated position as this minimizes potential swelling in the surgical site.

Your Diet

Your diet for the first day should consist of soft foods; such as pastas, eggs, soups, etc. No hot fluids, such as coffee should be ingested – keep fluids at a lukewarm temperature. Naturally, we would like you to keep food away from the surgical site.

Antibiotics

Please continue to take your antibiotics until finished and your pain medications if required for pain and swelling.

If anything out of the ordinary is experienced, please feel free to contact our office and we will be able to answer any questions or concerns.

Keep talking to a minimum for the first day and do not lift your lip in order to look at the surgical site. If you are a smoker we would ask that you refrain from smoking for at least 48 hours.

The Day After Your Treatment

On the day following the treatment, you will start to care for the area by rinsing between meals and following meals with Periodex, an oral rinse provided by our office. Do not use any other mouthwash solutions at this time.

Keeping the Area Clean

Brushing the gums with a Q-tip and toothpaste where the stitches have been placed is also very important. By brushing very lightly, you will remove plaque – which is bacteria – from the surgical site and therefore prevent any problems with healing. You will continue to brush and rinse until you return to our office to have the stitches removed. Please remember to keep the area clean!!!

Contact our office so we can help you schedule your appointment.

905-849-7203

1 (800) 361-7203

Fax: 905-849-8428

Available from 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Address:
1525 Cornwall Road, Unit 21
Oakville, ON L6J 0B2

Need Directions?

Email:
endo@allianceds.com

Alliance Dental Specialist is located in Oakvile, Ontario and we have been in businesses since 1983.