Apicoectomy Post Op Instructions
Post-Operative Instructions for Apicoectomy
Please follow these instructions as closely as possible. They are designed to help you heal quickly and comfortably with minimal side effects. Patients who have had surgery done under anything other than a local anesthetic such as Oral Sedation, IV Sedation, or General Anesthesia should not be left home alone following the procedure. Your restrictions today are; do not smoke, use straws, or drink alcoholic beverages. Do not drive or operate any machinery if you have been sedated or have had general anesthesia. Do not eat hot foods as long as you have any active bleeding. Keep to cool, soft things until bleeding has stopped. Tomorrow, we do not have any restrictions.
FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY:
- Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed, or swallow your saliva.
- Do not use a drinking straw. Drink straight from the cup.
- Do not smoke
- Keep fingers and tongue away from the surgical area. (Note: Spitting, the use of a straw, smoking, and/or poking can dislodge the blood clot that is forming and will cause bleeding from the area. Also, smoking can increase the chances of an infection.)
- Come back one week to remove the sutures.
FOR BLEEDING:
Some minor bleeding is expected after an Apicoectomy. It will usually subside quickly and stop within an hour or two after surgery. A little oozing is normal and may persist for several days.
FOR SWELLING:
Most patients will experience some swelling after surgery in the mouth. It may be mild or severe and is different for every patient. The swelling will get bigger for the first 24 to 48 hours before it starts to go away. It may last for several days to one week.
- Use an ice pack on the cheek or face next to the surgical site. Keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then off for 10 minutes, and repeat until you go to sleep. Start the process again the next day.
- Sleep with your head elevated slightly (above the heart). This will keep swelling down.
- On the third day, change to moist heat instead of ice packs. This will bring the swelling down quicker.
EATING:
You may eat soft foods as soon as the anesthetic wears off. Try not to chew directly on the surgical site. You may resume a regular diet as soon as you feel up to it. Please stay well-nourished and hydrated; you will heal faster.
BRUSHING:
You may brush your teeth, avoiding the surgical area both tonight and tomorrow morning. Be gentle and do not spit or rinse forcefully. Start brushing the surgical area after sutures are removed.
RINSING:
You may start rinsing tomorrow, gently, with some Chlorhexidine for 20 seconds gently morning and evening. (Wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking. Use as directed.) Do not use alcohol-containing mouth rinses for a few days.
Bruising:
It is possible you may experience bruising following this procedure. This is not unusual and can take some time to fade.
MEDICATIONS:
You were probably given one or more prescriptions of medications. Take all medications with a full glass of water and use as directed on the bottle. Call us if you experience severe nausea, diarrhea, or cannot swallow your pills.
- Antibiotics: Continue until the bottle is empty. **Do not quit half way.
- Pain Medications: Continue as necessary. Remember that narcotics can make you drowsy; no driving, operating heavy machinery, or alcoholic beverages while you are taking them.
