POST-OPERATIVE ROOT SURGICAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. BLEEDING/SWELLING- Some discomfort is normal following apical surgery. During the first 24 hours you may notice some pink saliva and slight swelling. The area may even bruise after a few days. If you have bleeding place folded moist gauze in your check adjacent to the area. (Keep the gauze in place for 20 minutes and replace if needed. lf the bleeding persist for more than the first few hours after surgery or if you have bleeding that concerns you please call.

2. SUTURES - Very fine and delicate sutures were placed to close the surgical site. Please don't lift your lip to look at the surgical area; it can stretch and break the sutures. If you are placing gauze please moisten it and gently place it without pulling the lip. The sutures will be removed 4-7 days after surgery.

3. MEDICATIONS - Please follow the medication protocol below even if you don't have discomfort:

• 600 mg lbuprofen (3-200m9 over the counter pills of Advil or Motrin or generic equivalent) every 8 hours for the next 2 days AND:
• 1000m9 Acetaminophen (2 extra strength Tylenol or generic equivalent) every 8 hours for the next 2 days.
• Take 1 of the medications every 4 hours. Alternate medications so you do not exceed the daily recommended limit. lf you cannot take ibuprofen then only take the Tylenol.
• We recommend applying ice to the area and a soft diet. Most symptoms will go away with in L-3 days.
• Please call if the above protocol is not relieving your discomfort.

4. GENERAL CARE INSTRUCTIONS - Below are some care instructions to prevent disturbing your sutures and slowing down the healing process.

• Don't brush the area for 48 hours. You can brush the rest of your mouth and tongue.
• Don't rinse vigorously. You should gargle/swish with an open mouth allow the rinse to fall out of your mouth i.e don't spit forcefully.
• I don't recommend salt water rinses-it tastes horrible and is of little use. You may have been given a Prescription mouth rinse.

5. PREDICTABILITY- Your root canal was done using and endodontic surgical microscope, digital x-rays, electronic apex locators, rotary nickel titanium files, ultrasonic irrigation. Along with our advanced knowledge of endodontics, your root canal treatment should have a very high degree of success. We have discussed with you how the infection in your tooth started and why your tooth needed a root canal.