Procedure Instructions

Pre & Post Endodontic Treatment Instructions

The procedure will be performed using local anesthesia. The majority of the procedure we perform can be completed in a single visit but there are times when multiple visits are necessary. There are usually no restrictions after the procedure concerning driving or returning to work. A doctor is available for consultation at all times should a problem arise after your treatment.

Eat a Full Breakfast

Please eat a full breakfast or lunch as applicable.

Continue Meds

Continue all medications for blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems and any other conditions as recommended by your physician. If there is a question, please call our office prior to your appointment.

Special Circumstances

If you have been advised by your physician or dentist to use antibiotic premedication because of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), heart murmur, hip, knee, cardiac or other prosthesis, or if you have had rheumatic heart disease, please make sure you are on the appropriate antibiotic on the day of your appointment. You only need to premedicate for the treatment appointment. If there is a question, please call our office prior to your appointment at Lee and Murrin Endodontics Phone Number (614) 459-2000.

Insurance/Financial

Please feel free to contact our office with any questions you may have about your insurance and/or financial arrangements.

Bring Documents

If your referring dentist has given you a referral slip and/or an x-ray, please bring it to your appointment.

After Endodontic Treatment

Your tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be tender for several days as a result of the previous condition of your tooth and manipulation during treatment. This tenderness is normal and is not cause for alarm. This soreness is due to the inflammation or infection around the root of the tooth and the inflammation in the TMJ and jaw muscles from being open during treatment. Your tooth should feel better each day after treatment. Remember that narcotic pain medications, if prescribed, may make you drowsy, and caution should be taken in operating machinery or driving. Narcotic pain medication can also upset your stomach so it is best taken with food.

• Please do not chew on the affected side until your endodontic therapy is completed and your tooth is covered with a protective restoration provided by your restorative dentist.
• Do not eat until the numbness has worn off. This will prevent you from biting your cheek or tongue.
• It is more effective to control the inflammation from your tooth condition and the procedure immediately rather than waiting for pain to come. We recommend that you take a combination of medications at the same time. We would like you to take ibuprofen (600 mg of Motrin, Advil or generic ibuprofen, which is equivalent to 3 over-the-counter tablets, every 6 hours) along with acetaminophen (Tylenol 500mg every 6 hours). This combination should be taken for two days following your procedure. Studies have shown and our experience dictates that the combination of the ibuprofen and the acetaminophen is more effective than prescription narcotics.

Children under 16 years old should take 200mg to 400mg of ibuprofen and 250mg of acetaminophen every 6 hours.

IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO OR CANNOT TOLERATE THE ABOVE PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING:

• If allergic to ibuprofen, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) 1000mg then every 6 hours or aspirin for a duration of two days.
• If allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol), take 600mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours for a duration of two days.
• Do not be concerned if your tooth is sensitive or sore for up to one week and possibly longer after the procedure. This can be a normal response. However, do not hesitate to call with any concerns.
• You may continue your regular dental hygiene regimen including brushing and flossing.
• If you have a temporary filling, it is not unusual for a thin layer or small portion to wear down between appointments. The temporary may sink slightly giving the impression that it has come out. If you feel that the entire temporary has come out, please contact us.

Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the above listed medications, or should swelling develop, please contact our office immediately at Upper Arlington Endodontics Phone Number (614) 459-2000. If you call after hours the prompts will direct you how to contact our doctors. If you do need to contact one of the doctors, please have your pharmacy number available.

After Completion of Endodontic Treatment

Congratulations! By saving your tooth with root canal treatment, you have made a significant step towards better oral health. Endodontic treatment has now been completed and the root canal system has been sealed. However, the outer surface is sealed with a temporary restoration.

• A follow-up restoration must be placed to protect your tooth against fracture and re-infection. We recommend that you see your dentist 2–3 weeks after Root Canal Therapy for the final restoration.
• Do not chew on the treated tooth until the final restoration has been placed. Please telephone your restorative dentist for an appointment.
• A complete follow up report including X-rays will be sent to your general dentist. Included in your treatment is a follow-up examination to evaluate the progress of healing. This appointment will require only a few minutes and no additional fee will be charged for the check-up visit.
• Your follow-up will be scheduled between 6 and 12 months following your root canal therapy.

Pre & Post Surgery Instructions

Pre-Surgical Instructions

This procedure will be performed using local anesthesia. There are usually few restrictions after the procedure concerning driving or returning to work. A doctor is available at all times should a problem arise after your treatment. Avoid aspirin or aspirin-based products, including NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) one week before surgery.

Continue all medications for blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems and any other conditions as recommended by your physician. If there is a question, please call our office prior to your appointment. Please eat breakfast or lunch as applicable.

If you have been advised, by your physician or dentist to use antibiotic pre-medication, please make sure you are on the appropriate antibiotic on the day your appointment. If there is a question, please call our office prior to your appointment Upper Arlington Endodontics Phone Number (614) 459-2000.

Post-Surgical Instructions

1. Avoid strenuous activity for the remainder of the day. Routine, nonstrenuous activity is not harmful, unless otherwise directed. Smoking and alcohol consumption delay the wound healing process and should be avoided or minimized for 3 days following surgery.
2. It is essential that you maintain an adequate diet with proper solid and fluid intake during the first 3 days following surgery.
3. Avoid manipulation of the facial tissues as much as possible. Do not raise the lip or pull back the cheeks to inspect the surgical site as you may dislodge the sutures (stitches).
4. Some oozing of blood from the superficial site is normal during the day and evening of surgery. Slight swelling and facial skin discoloration (bruising) may be experienced. This is temporary and will resolve on its own in a few days.
5. Apply as ice bag with firm pressure to the face directly over the surgical site. You should apply the ice bag alternately 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, for 6-8 hours following surgery. After 8 hours, the ice bag should not be applied. Frequent moist heat applications to the face are recommended after the third post surgical day. Maximum swelling may occur 48 hours after surgery.
6. Post surgical infection is unusual, but possible. Signs of infection may cause increased pain, increased swelling and tenderness, elevated body temperature, chills, and other flu like symptoms. An objectionable odor and taste may also be experienced. If these conditions exist, please call our office.
7. The superficial site will be tender and sore. For this reason you should follow the analgesic regimen prescribed: ______ tablets/capsules of ______________________ every ______ hours following surgery. Additional prescription medication may be required as well.
8. Careful tooth brushing is desirable and promotes healing. Brush only the teeth and make every effort to avoid the gums. Twenty-four hours after surgery, you may begin rinsing with Peridex if prescribed or a mild saltwater solution of ½ tsp. of table salt and ½ glass of warm water.
9. The sutures (stitches) that have been placed must be removed to ensure proper healing. It is important that you return at the appointed time for suture removal.
10. Recall visits are necessary to monitor the progress of healing.
11. Should any complications arise, please do not hesitate to call. If you feel that your symptoms warrant a physician and you are unable to reach us, go to the closest emergency room immediately.

Pre & Post Sedation

Prior to Sedation Appointment Checklist

You have been a prescription for Triazolam (Halcion) to have filled prior to your endodontic appointment. You are to take the medication as prescribed on the bottle one hour before your scheduled appointment time. Please eat a light snack but avoid a heavy or large meal, as it may impair absorption of the drug. As was discussed during your consultation, a driver will be needed to take you to and from your appointment.

• Smokers:Nicotine levels in your blood will affect your sedation experience
• ~Less than ½ pack a day? Refrain from smoking for 12 hours
• ~ ½ – full pack a day? Refrain from smoking for 8 hours
• ~ 1-1 ½ packs a day? Refrain from smoking for 4 hours
• ~ More than 1 ½ packs a day? Smoke right before coming to the office
• No Alcohol or Narcotic drugs: We cannot safely sedate you if you have consumed alcohol, narcotics of any type (including Vicodin/Hydrocodone) or any street or recreational drugs.
• No Grapefruit Juice or Caffeine for 12 hours: Consuming caffeine will limit your level of sedation (coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks, etc).
• Wear light-weight comfortable clothing
• Wear comfortable shoes and socks
• Do not operate heavy equipment and/or drive while taking this medication

It is absolutely essential that your escort drives you to/from your appointment. We will not be able to proceed with your appointment if you drive yourself. Your driver will need instructions, so please have him/her speak with the dental team before dropping you off. Your driver is welcome to remain here during your sedation visit.

After Sedation Instructions for Companion & Patient

• Patient Cannot drive or operate any hazardous devices or heavy equipment for the remainder of the day after taking sedation medication. Most people begin to feel normal after 6-8 hours.
• A Responsible person should remain with the patient until he/she has fully recovered from the effects of sedation.
• Patient should not go up/down stairs unattended. Let the patient stay on the ground floor until recovered.
• Having nutrition after sedation is important. The patient should begin eating appropriate foods as soon as possible. Avoid anything sticky or excessively chewy until the final restoration is completed by their dentist. Avoid hot foods/drinks until numbness wears off.
• Patient needs to drink plenty of fluids as soon as possible.
• Patient may seem alert when he/she leaves. This may be misleading so do not leave the patient alone.
• Always hold the patient’s arm when walking.
• Call us if you have any questions or difficulties. If you feel that your symptoms warrant a physician and you are unable to reach us, go to the closest emergency room immediately.
• Patient should not carry, sleep next to, or be alone with young children for the remainder of the day or until the effects of the medication have completely subsided.

Following most surgical procedures, there may or may not be pain, depending on your threshold for pain. In most cases, a non-narcotic pain regimen will be given consisting of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil). These two medications, taken together, will be as effective as a narcotic without any of the side effects associated with narcotics. If a narcotic has been prescribed, follow the directions carefully. If you have any questions about these medications interacting with other medications you are presently taking, please call our office and/or your pharmacist.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office at Upper Arlington Endodontics Phone Number (614) 459-2000.