Knowing the proper instructions in Stillwater will go a long way toward helping you enjoy a successful treatment and healing period afterward. If you have any questions about this information, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can call 651-370-9498 to ask questions or make an appointment.
Before Endodontic Treatment
Endodontic treatment often requires no restrictions regarding driving or going back to work. If you have a question or issue after your treatment, Dr. Reeh will be available for a consultation.
Keep taking all prescriptions from your physician. If you have questions about this, call us before your appointment.
If your doctor or regular dentist has advised you to use antibiotics because of a preexisting condition, make sure you are taking that antibiotic the day of your procedure. Call us if you have any questions before your appointment.
We recommend taking two naproxen sodium (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil) one to two hours before your procedure. This will help reduce inflammation.
Home Care Instructions
You may experience slight tenderness in your gum tissue around the tooth for several days. This is normal and should go away on its own.
Avoid chewing on the treated side of your mouth until your tooth has been covered with either a crown or a filling by your regular dentist.
Keep up with your normal dental hygiene routine. For any discomfort, take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed on the package label. If your discomfort isn’t controlled by these medications, or if you develop swelling, please contact our office immediately.
Someone is available 24 hours to answer your calls. Have your pharmacy phone number ready if you need to call us after hours.
After Endodontic Treatment
After your root canal procedure, we’ll seal your tooth with a temporary or permanent restoration. A crown is the best way to finish restoring your tooth. Please call your regular dentist as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.
Immediately after a root canal or other endodontic treatment, your tooth is more susceptible to fracturing. To prevent further problems, you should chew on the other side until your crown has been placed.
A follow-up examination is included in your treatment so we can check the healing process. This visit will take only a few minutes. There is no additional fee. Please call our office for an appointment the month following your treatment.
Potential Problems After Endodontic Treatment
Lower Teeth and Nerve Injury – There is a slim possibility that your nerve can be injured during root canal surgery on your lower molars. The root tips on these back teeth may be close to a nerve that supplies feeling to your lips, gums, and chin. On rare occasions, the nerve can become irritated during your procedure. If this happens, you may experience tingling or, though rare, a complete loss of feeling in your lips, chin, and gums after the local anesthesia wears off. This is almost always temporary and should soon go away on its own.
Upper Teeth and Sinus Communication – Your upper tooth roots are positioned near your sinuses, so root canal treatment can sometimes create a communication (a channel or opening) between your mouth and sinuses. This condition should heal itself. Our team will give you specific instructions to follow if we see that you have this condition. If you believe you may have a complication after your treatment, please call our office.
Post-Operative Infections – Infections sometimes occur after surgery. They usually require a quick office visit and taking antibiotics for a week or so.
We hope these Stillwater instructions are helpful. Call us at 651-370-9498 if you have any questions or if you need to make an appointment. If it’s more convenient, you can also make an appointment .
