It is our hope that your time and service at Endodontics of New Mexico was beyond expectations and that you feel comfortable and confident in your dental decision. With the exceptional care of Dr. James Wolcott, an endodontic treatment in Santa Fe, New Mexico, can save your tooth’s health and function for years to come.
It is important to call your general dentist for an appointment, ideally within one month, to have your tooth permanently restored after root canal therapy if not already done in our office. If we have placed a temporary filling according to your dentist’s instructions it will not permanently protect your tooth from reinfection or fracture.
Your tooth may be uncomfortable for a few days and tender to chewing pressure up to a week or more after treatment. This is normal. Due to the nature of dental pain, anti-inflammatory pain medications are our first choice of pain relievers.
Over-the-counter medications
Anti-inflammatory:
Ibuprofen: (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin) 600 to 800 mg every 6 to 8 hours
Aleve or generic: (over the counter naproxen sodium) Two 220 mg tablets every 6 to 8 hours.
Non anti-inflammatory:
Acetaminophen: (Tylenol – regular or extra strength) can be taken between your anti-inflammatory doses for extra relief without drowsiness.
Prescription medications
If a narcotic prescription pain reliever was prescribed, it can be substituted for the acetaminophen between your anti-inflammatory doses. Narcotics cause drowsiness and caution is advised if driving is anticipated. Also, taking narcotics and anti-inflammatory drugs with food or following a meal will help avoid the nausea they sometimes cause.
Antibiotic medications
If swelling develops or worsens after treatment, take your prescribed antibiotics or call us for a prescription. Improvement should be noticed in 2-3 days. Take the antibiotic on schedule until gone even if your symptoms improve rapidly. If you are taking birth control pills and antibiotics, an additional birth control measure is recommended through the completion of the cycle, as the antibiotics may inactivate your birth control pills. Call us or your pharmacist if unusual side effects occur.
Discomfort upon biting
Please notify us if, when you bite down, your tooth feels high after treatment and is creating soreness. A short office visit to adjust the problem usually leads to quick and dramatic improvement. Long appointments and associated sore teeth may also lead to stimulation of clenching and grinding habits in many patients. This is frequently manifested as sore jaw joints, ear pain, multiple tooth sensitivity and facial achiness. Anti-inflammatory drugs or moist heat to the affected area are usually helpful. Please note, however, that heat on infection-induced swelling usually worsens the situation.
If your treatment requires a second visit for completion, it is essential to keep your follow-up appointment even if your tooth becomes perfectly comfortable after the initial visit. Long-term success depends on total completion of your root canal therapy and subsequent restoration by your general dentist.
If you have any questions, please call our office at 505-819-5690.
