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Saratoga Dental—Root Canal Postoperative Instructions
Procedure Completed Today:
- The bacteria and dead tissue has been cleaned from your tooth, and a medication has been placed into the root canal(s). You should expect pain or soreness that can last a few days. If you experience increased swelling or severe pain, please notify us. You will be seen after 1-3 weeks of healing for completion of the root canal therapy.
or
- Your tooth’s root canal(s) have been permanently filled, completing the treatment. It is normal to experience mild to moderate pain or soreness for the next 1 to 3 days while the bone surrounding to root heals. Also, please be careful chewing on the root canal treated tooth until a permanent crown can be placed to prevent tooth fractures. Occasionally a course of antibiotics is needed after completion. Please notify the doctor if you experience increased swelling or pain.
Pain Management:
For mild to moderate pain:
Take 2-4 tablets of Advil and/or 1-2 tablets of Extra Strength Tylenol every 6 hours. (600-800mg of Ibuprofen and/or 500-1000mg of Acetominophen).
For severe pain:
Add the prescription pain killer we have given you to the regimen described above except if you will be taking Vicodin. Discontinue use of Tylenol if taking Vicodin as it already contains Tylenol (Acetaminophen). You may continue taking Tylenol with the use of Oxycodone because it does not contain Tylenol.
- Vicodin: Take 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours depending on severity.
Take the above medications with food and be sure to stay well hydrated. If you have any reaction to the medication such as itching, rash, difficulty breathing, or other sign of allergy or sensitivity, discontinue its use and notify the doctor.
Antibiotic:
- You have not been given an antibiotic. Your body should be able to combat the infection on its own. If you experience increased swelling, please notify the doctor, and an antibiotic may be called into your pharmacy.
or
- You have been given an antibiotic for the infection. Please begin ASAP, and take as directed until all of the pills are gone. You will not notice the infection decrease for a couple days. If swelling increases or spreads, or you don’t notice improvement after 2 days, please notify the doctor.
Please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Braden Giswold in case you have any questions, need directions for medication use, or are concerned about increased swelling or pain.