After Apicoectomy (Surgical Root Canal)
- Keep bandages in for 1 hour with good pressure. Then remove bandage and check the surgical area for bleeding. If bleeding persists, place fresh gauze over the area with good pressure for 1 more hour. Repeat this if needed.
- Drink plenty of liquids, but try to avoid liquids with caffeine in them. They will only continue to dehydrate you.
- Once the bleeding has stopped, get something to eat. You can eat whatever you want.
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Avoid chewing over the surgical area for awhile until the area has healed some. Make sure your food isn't too hot, cold, spicy, or sharp as these might increase your discomfort or healing time.
- No spitting, sucking through a straw, or smoking for 48 hrs.
- Begin brushing and salt water rinsing (½ tsp salt with 8oz of warm water) the day AFTER surgery. Rinse 3-4 times a day, after you eat and before you go to bed at night for the next several weeks, or until the surgical area has healed completely.
- Some swelling around the surgical area(s) is a normal part this surgery and recovery. Ice the area for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for 48 hours. Take prescribed medicine as directed, but try to wait until you are tolerating solid food. The medicine, especially the one for pain, can cause you to have nausea or vomiting. Having some food in your stomach may help to prevent this.
- If you have dissolvable sutures, they can take 3-4 weeks to dissolve, give or take some time. Try not to pick or prod at them as your might irritate the surgical site. If you do not have dissolvable sutures, you will be given a follow up appointment to come back and we will remove them for you at that time.
- Patients who received general anesthesia should return home from our office immediately upon discharge and lie down with the head elevated until all the effects of the anesthesia have disappeared. Anesthesia effects vary by individual, and you may feel drowsy for a short period of time or for several hours. You should not operate any mechanical equipment or drive a motor vehicle (including ATV's, dirt bikes, etc.) for at least 24 hours or longer if you feel any residual effects from the anesthesia. Do not use appliances or equipment that could be dangerous such as power tools, stoves, burners or lawn mowers. Watch out for dizziness. Walk slowly and take your time. Sudden changes of position can also cause nausea, dizziness or even fainting. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages. The drugs in your body may increase your reaction to alcohol and could be dangerous.