After Treatment Care

After treatment - What you can expect

Non-surgical endodontic treatment

• Mild to moderate discomfort (particularly when chewing) following endodontic treatment is normal and expected, particularly if you have experienced severe pre-treatment symptoms. This is due to a natural healing response.
• Do take things easy and expect your symptoms to improve or resolve over the next few days.
• Post-treatment discomfort can usually be managed by taking analgesic medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol as recommended by your Endodontist.
• If pain is not improving, or you are concerned about post-treatment symptoms please contact your Endodontist.
• If you develop swelling or fever, antibiotics may be required. Please contact your Endodontist regarding this.
• The healing process may take some time that will vary depending on the pre-treatment condition of the tooth. Please be patient with this process as it can take several weeks or occasionally longer for full resolution of symptoms. Please contact us if you experience any new or recurring symptoms following endodontic treatment.
• We recommend that you continue with good oral hygiene, tooth brushing and flossing.
• Be careful of biting or burning your lip or cheek while numb. Softer foods are advisable in the first few days following the procedure and while tenderness remains.
• Once endodontic treatment is completed, please do take care when chewing on your tooth until you can return to your dentist for a permanent restoration. An appropriate permanent restoration will decrease the risk of fracture of the tooth.
• Pre Endodontic Microsurgery
• Chlorhexidine mouthwash e.g. Colgate® Savacol, 2 times a day for 24hours prior to surgery (after brushing and flossing).
• Discuss with your Endodontist any medication that may increase bleeding or inhibit healing e.g. warfarin®, aspirin, bisphosphonates such as fosamax®.

After surgery care

• A personalised post treatment care instruction sheet will be provided to you by your Endodontist.
• Icepack: An icepack is helpful to keep swelling and discomfort to a minimum. Place the icepack on the skin over the surgical site. Try to use an icepack for as long as possible (10-15 minutes each time) up to 24 hours after surgery.
• Discomfort: It is normal to experience some swelling, discomfort and bruising after any surgery. Pain can usually be quickly controlled with analgesics.
• Analgesics: Your Endodontist will recommend a pain management strategy that is appropriate for you.
• Bleeding: Sutures will have been placed at the surgical site. We will provide you with sterile gauze packs. Apply pressure with moist gauze on the surgical site to help control any minor bleeding. A used teabag can also be useful in controlling bleeding as the tannin in tea aids blood clotting. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
• Mouthwash: The use of chlorhexidine mouthwash e.g. Colgate® Savacol, or warm salt water (saline) twice a day for two weeks following surgery is recommended.
• Cleaning: In general the cleaner the surgical site is kept, the faster it will heal. The teeth away from the surgical site should be cleaned normally. Extremely gentle brushing of the surgical area can begin again after 3-4 days.
• Physical activity: Strenuous physical activity should be limited for 3-4 days.
• Eating: It is important to continue eating normally after surgery. Soft, cool foods are recommended. It may be necessary to cut the foods up smaller than usual and to chew on teeth distant from the surgical site.
• Be careful of biting or burning your lip or cheek while numb. Softer foods are advisable in the first few days following the procedure and while tenderness remains.
• Smoking: Smoking should be avoided as it will delay healing.
• Sutures: If sutures are not self dissolving, then an appointment should be made for their removal.
• Concerns: If you have any other concerns following surgery, please contact us for further advice.