Endodontic Therapy at Endospec

• Eat regular meals before your appointment unless you require IV sedation for your treatment.
• Continue all medications for blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, and any other conditions as recommended by your physician. Please bring a list of your current medications and dosages for your medical history forms.
• Do not take any oral pain medications or pain relievers prior to your appointment, unless instructed by your endodontist. Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen sodium) can mask discomfort and interfere with our diagnostic testing. If a pain reliever is necessary prior to your appointment, consider using Tylenol (acetaminophen), which is found not to interfere with diagnostic testing.
• Take any antibiotics prior to undergoing dental oral health care due to prosthetic heart valves or infective endocarditis/valvular heart disease. If you have questions, ask your endodontist during your evaluation.
  • In accordance with American Dental Association’s 2015 guidelines for patients with prosthetic joint replacements or orthopedic joint implants (i.e. knee, hip, shoulder, etc.), antibiotics are no longer recommended prior to dental procedures in effort to prevent prosthetic joint infection.

Contact our office for any questions about financing your treatment before your appointment.

After your root canal procedure, it is normal for your tooth, muscles, and jaw joint to feel sensitive for a few days, especially if there was pain or infection in the areas before the procedure. Typically, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and moist heat are enough to treat any discomfort from inflammation or infection. For select cases, prescription medications may be necessary. Consult with your endodontist and follow after-care instructions carefully.

If your endodontic treatment requires a second visit for completion, please keep your appointment even if your tooth pain resolves after the initial visit. Saving teeth requires total completion of your root canal treatment and final restoration of your tooth’s crown, which is usually restored by your general dentist with a tooth filling or prosthetic crown after completing endodontic treatment at our office.

• Limit your physical activity for the first 24 hours after dental surgery to allow initial wound healing.
• Use ice packs intermittently (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) until bedtime to reduce normal swelling, which may take up to a week to resolve.
• Do not lift your lip to examine the stitches, as this may cause them to tear. Most stitches are dissolvable, so follow your doctor’s instructions regarding any necessary removal.
• Expect some tenderness in the mouth. Post-surgical swelling typically peaks 48-72 hours following treatment, and decreases daily as the area recovers and healing progresses. The majority of gum tissue healing occurs within the first week. Taking your prescribed pain-relieving medications on a strict schedule will greatly minimize discomfort and swelling during post-treatment healing.
• Take any prescribed antibiotics as directed and be sure to finish the course of antibiotics. If you are taking birth control pills with antibiotics, we recommend utilizing an additional method of birth control through the completion of the cycle.
• If a prescription mouthwash was prescribed, you may begin use the day after the surgery as directed. Beginning the second day after surgery, lightly rinse after meals with warm salt water (one teaspoon salt per 4 ounces of water) being sure to keep all non-surgical site areas of your mouth brushed and flossed as usual. Begin gentle brushing of the surgical area on day three, using the provided extra soft, Mylar-bristled toothbrush. Resume full mouth regular brushing and flossing after one week.
• Follow a soft food diet the day-of and day after your surgery. Afterward, cut food into small pieces. Stick to soft, nourishing foods like juices, smoothies, pureed vegetables, soups, gelatin, ice cream, yogurt, or applesauce. Drink plenty of liquids and avoid crunchy foods like toast and crackers.
• Reduce or eliminate smoking or chewing tobacco products during the first week after your surgery, as these products increase the risk of infection and hinder the healing process. Smoking cessation aids such as nicotine patches are preferred over chewing gum while not smoking in the interim.

To remain readily available, we provide all patients with their endodontic provider’s cell phone number — along with our office number after treatment. If you have any after-hours questions, please have the number of your preferred pharmacy ready and call your provider. If they are not available, call our after-hours messaging system and one of our doctors will contact you promptly.

• ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT – All sedation patients must be accompanied to and from the appointment by a responsible adult. The responsible adult should remain in the office during the appointment unless otherwise authorized by the practitioner.
• EATING AND DRINKING – Do not eat anything after midnight the day before your scheduled appointment. Those patients with afternoon treatments may have a light breakfast six (6) hours prior to treatment (i.e., toast, breakfast bars, etc.). Do not consume dairy products (i.e., eggs, milk, cheese, etc.) or solid foods after that time. You may have clear liquids up to 3 hours before your treatment. (i.e., apple or cranberry juice). Do not consume dairy or drinks containing caffeine.
• MEDICATIONS – Medications normally taken should be taken unless otherwise agreed upon by this office and may be taken only with a sip of water.
• CLOTHING AND MAKEUP – Casual clothing with short sleeves is desirable — as are two-piece outfits — to allow easy blood pressure monitor application and access for IV placement. Contact lenses must be removed before appointment. To ensure oxygenation monitoring via finger monitor, do not wear fingernail polish the day of the appointment.
• CHANGE IN HEALTH – A change in your health, especially the development of a cold or fever is important. For your safety, you may be rescheduled for another day. Please inform this office of any change in your health prior to your appointment.
• GETTING HOME – The patient MUST be driven home by a responsible adult who can personally escort and be with the patient at all times. For this reason, buses, cabs, or ride-share phone applications are unacceptable.

• HOME – A responsible adult should be with the patient until the next day.
• REST – Patient should go home and rest for the remainder of the day. Do not drive a motor vehicle or perform any hazardous tasks for the remainder of the day.
• DRINKING AND EATING – Food and beverages may be taken when desired. Foods should be soft and not hot. No alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. A feeling of nausea may occasionally develop after sedation. The following may help you feel better: Lying down for a while and/or drinking a carbonated beverage.