Instructions Following Surgical Endodontics (Apicoectomy)
- Do not lift or pull on lips. This may cause tearing out of the sutures.
- Some swelling and discoloration is normal and will gradually disappear
- To minimize swelling, use ice pack application on the face, over the operated area. The pack should be used – on for 10 minutes, off for 10 minutes – and should be continued during the first day for the initial 2 hours after treatment
- Rinse with warm salt water at least twice per day (one teaspoon to 8 oz. of warm water) beginning 24 hours after the surgery. Continue rinsing for one week
- Eat soft foods that will be nourishing but will not require vigorous chewing for the first few days, i.e. eggs, soups, milk shakes, etc
- Slight bleeding, pain or swelling during the first couple of days is normal.
- Brush your teeth everywhere except in the operated area for days 2 to 3 following the surgery. Mouthwash may be used. On the 4th day following the surgery, we recommend that you gently start to brush the operated area. The cleaner you can maintain the surgical area, the faster the gums will heal.
- For pain – Ibuprofen, Aleve, or Tylenol is recommended. Your doctor will instruct you on how often you should take this or other medications prescribed.
- If there is an elevated temperature, excessive bleeding, swelling or uncontrolled discomfort, please call the office.
- There will be at least two follow-up appointments. The first follow-up will usually occur 1 week following the surgery days to have your sutures removed. The second appointment will be 6-12 months later, so that we may evaluate the hard tissue (bone) healing. Additional follow-up appointments may be necessary.
We routinely like to perform a long term follow-up exam at least six months to one year after the treatment. We want to evaluate the treatment outcome, be sure that you have regained normal function with the tooth, and determine the presence of bone healing. There is no charge for this visit.