Before Surgery

What to do prior to appointment:

  • Take one Motrin (as prescribed) 1 hour prior to appointment (unless alternatives have been discussed).
  • Rinse with the prescribed rinse (Chlorohexidine) the night before and morning of the procedure.
  • It is recommended that you have a meal prior to the procedure, as you will be instructed to not eat for the next few hours after the procedure.

What to expect during the procedure:

  • You will be anesthetized (numbed) all around the tooth including adjacent teeth.
  • The procedure on average is 1hour long but can vary depending on tooth, location, infection, etc…
  • Sutures will be placed and can range in number from 4 to 10 depending on the area and need.

What to expect after the procedure:

  • You may experience anywhere from minimal to severe swelling which could include swelling around the eye, nose and cheek, as well as yellowing or bruising of the skin. This is temporary and will resolve on its own in a few days.
  • Most people will have mild to moderate soreness over the next 3 to 7 days, which should be controlled by over the counter Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or Tylenol.
  • Occasionally soreness may be more severe and require a prescription.
  • Post-Operative infection is unusual but possible. These reactions can be controlled with antibiotics.

In many cases this may be the final attempt to save your tooth. Occasionally, complete healing may not occur for a variety of reasons such as fractured roots that may or may not be detected, severe bone loss around the tooth due to infection or even systemic disease (such as diabetes). Despite our best efforts, in some cases extraction may be recommended/required following the procedure.