Root canal treatment is a procedure designed to treat inflammation and infection in the inner pulp tissue of your tooth. Inflammation in the dental pulp causes deep cavities and abscesses, which can spread to your bone if not removed.
For a temporary root canal treatment, your dentist opens your tooth, removes the pulp, and cleans the root canal, then fills and seals it. This is done to treat disease and decay without removing the tooth.
X-rays of your teeth and jaw may be taken before an apicotomy. This helps your dentist see what is happening to the root canal, roots, and surrounding bone and tissue.
Before the procedure begins, you’ll put cream and a needle in your mouth to numb the area. Then your dentist will make a small incision in the gums around the tooth. They’ll examine the bone and remove the infected tissue.
If necessary, they will remove the end of the root and fill the top of the root canal to seal it. They will then place a few stitches to help your gums heal. Over time, your bone will heal around the root.
Rest with your head elevated when you arrive home after the procedure. Please limit your physical activity and movement to a minimum for the first 24 hours.
For the first 4-5 hours after surgery, we recommend placing an ice pack on your face at 20-minute intervals. This will help reduce facial swelling. If necessary, you can use an ice pack for 24 hours.
Please take anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) to prevent inflammation, swelling, and pain. If you need NSAIDs, we recommend taking 400mg–800mg of ibuprofen every six hours to reduce swelling and pain and to promote healing. Do NOT exceed 2400mg in a 24-hour period. If you experience excessive pain or discomfort, take the prescribed narcotic. Please take it as directed, together with the NSAID. If you were prescribed an antibiotic, please take it as directed. Be sure to finish the full course. If any of the medications cause severe nausea, itching, or a rash, discontinue use and contact our office immediately.
In the next few days after surgery, slight oozing may occur, which is not a cause for concern. Gently rinse your mouth with cold water or cold chamomile or sage tea (these teas contain tannic acid, which can help stop bleeding). Please avoid smoking and alcohol, as these activities negatively affect blood clotting and the healing of the surgical site. If bleeding continues, apply pressure to the surgical area by biting down on moistened gauze for 20 minutes. If the bleeding is moderate to heavy and lasts for several hours without stopping, please contact our office immediately.
When you return home after surgery, you may have something very soft to eat or something cold to drink. On the evening of the surgery, we recommend that you eat a soft, bland meal, as this is usually the best way to feel better. During the first week, please do not eat anything hard or crunchy.
When possible, we will place a dressing over the surgical area to help keep you comfortable. Please DO NOT brush the areas covered with the dressing. If the dressing becomes loose or falls off and you still feel comfortable, continue avoiding brushing the surgical areas. If the surgical area feels uncomfortable without the dressing, please contact our office so we can place a new one. Please continue your regular oral hygiene routine on all other areas of your mouth. Use an antiseptic mouthwash at least once in the morning and once at night before bed until your next appointment at our office. You may also clean the dressed area by gently wiping it with cotton soaked in antiseptic mouthwash every morning, every night before bed, and after eating and drinking.
