Apicoectomy Care (Surgical Root Canal)

When you get home:

Take pain medication as directed. Place an ice bag (bags of frozen peas work very well) to your cheek or jaw for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off, for 12 hours. Lie down with your head elevated with several pillows. Try to rest and not to move around too much.

First 2 or 3 Days:

Suck on ice chips or crushed ice. This helps reduce swelling. Swelling will reach maximum in 48 hours after surgery. Swelling will begin to decrease after the third day. Rest as much as possible. DO NOT PULL LIP BACK TO LOOK AT SURGICAL SITE. Try to talk and smile as little as possible since these actions may tear sutures or delicate oral tissues.

Persistent Oozing:

A little bleeding or oozing is normal. A little oozing mixed with normal saliva may appear as extensive bleeding. If in doubt or worried, place a moistened tea bag over the surgical wound and apply pressure for 20 minutes. Lie down with your head elevated on three pillows. If bleeding continues call us at (650) 9942710 or (650) 3440299.

Diet:

A nutritionally balanced diet is very important. During the first 24 hours EAT SOFT, COOL FOODS which can be easily chewed and swallowed. Avoid any hot foods such as hot coffee, hot tea or hot soups. DONT SKIP MEALS. If you take nourishment regularly, you’ll feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. Take any prescribed food supplement as directed. If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal diet and take medication as usual.

Brushing:

Brush and floss daily very delicately but very thoroughly in the surgical site. Use your regular toothbrush throughout your entire mouth, except around the surgical site. The red toothbrush that we gave is specially designed to brush around surgical sites delicately. Oral hygiene is required for successful wound healing.

Dont’s:

DO NOT SMOKE, DRINK WITH A STRAW, SPIT OUT, OR TAKE ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR USE ANY MOUTH WASH FOR THE FIRST 24 HOURS. These will cause the loss of the blood clot and delay healing.

Sutures:

Your sutures WILL DISSOLVE in approximately 410 days. Please call us if you have any questions or worries.

Biopsy:

If any of the Doctors of Bay Area Endodontics sends a biopsy specimen to UCSF Oral Pathology Laboratory the results of the biopsy will be reported to you by your Doctor during your 2 week postoperative appointment. You will receive a separate statement from UCSF for the laboratory services. Generally your medical insurance will cover these services, however if you have questions regarding their billing please call UCSF Oral Pathology Lab at (888) 5823397 ext 300.