Home Care Instructions: Apicoectomy
Your tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be slightly tender for several days as a result of manipulation during treatment and the previous condition of your tooth. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm. below are some Home Care Instructions following your apicoectomy (endodontic surgery):
- 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 20 minutes, off for 10 minutes – and should be continued during the first day only.
- Starting tomorrow, rinse with warm salt water (one teaspoon to 8 oz. of warm water), as often as possible. Continue this rinsing for one week.
- Eat foods that will be nourishing but will not require vigorous chewing the first few days (eggs, soups, milk shakes, etc).
- Slight bleeding, pain or swelling, during the first couple of days, is normal.
- Brush your teeth, being extremely careful in the operated area. Mouthwash may be used.
- For pain – ibuprofen is recommended. Follow the instruction of your doctor concerning your medication.
- If there is an elevated temperature, excessive bleeding, swelling or uncontrolled discomfort, please call the office.
- There may be a follow-up appointment to have your sutures removed. Additional follow-up appointments may be necessary.
- We routinely like to perform a follow-up exam at least six months 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.