Pain during the treatment

When you hear about a root tip resection, the first thing you think of is unpleasant pain. Not only do you think of those that occur before and make you aware that there is something wrong with the tooth, but especially those that might occur during the procedure. This concern is actually unfounded, because an apicoectomy, similar to the normal root canal treatment, is not performed without anesthesia.

Therefore, the procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. With this local anesthesia, the nerves that transmit the pain are specifically immobilized so that the patient is free of pain. The dentist can thus remove the root tip without any noticeable pain.

The only thing that can be unpleasant is the administration of the local anesthetic, as it is injected with the help of a syringe. Further anaesthetic measures can also be performed. These are either anesthesia or twilight sleep.

This is indicated if the surgical procedure is more extensive or if the patient suffers from very great anxiety. The patient does not notice anything more about the treatment and is “woken up” again at the end. This anesthesia places a greater burden on the body. If the procedure is very complicated or the patient’s general condition is uncertain, due to general diseases, an inpatient stay can be prescribed. Thus, there is no need to worry about pain during the treatment.

After the procedure

After the procedure, the patient should follow a few rules to ensure an optimal healing process and to keep the pain as low as possible. There may be swelling and bruising at the affected area, but this can be treated well with adequate cooling from the outside. As long as the area is still numb, you should not eat and physical exertion should also be avoided in the first few days.

Nicotine and coffee should not be consumed, as they can delay the healing of the wound. Adequate and good oral hygiene is very important, as it prevents the mouth and the sutured area from being unnecessarily infested by bacteria. The wound needs time to heal.Unfortunately, the healing process is associated with pain, which can be very unpleasant in the first days after the procedure.

After a few days this pain should subside, so that the stitches can be removed. The tissue must recover and needs time to regenerate. To make the pain more bearable after the procedure, painkillers can be taken.

The drug of choice in this case is ibuprofen. It numbs the pain and also has a positive effect on inflammation. Preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid should be avoided, as they reduce blood clotting, which can lead to increased bleeding.

The wound can become infected, which increases the feeling of pain. If these symptoms occur or the pain does not subside even after days, a visit to the dentist is recommended in any case. The dentist can assess the situation and a possible infection of the wound.

During the course of the procedure, the maxillary sinus may be injured or irritated, which can result in an inflammation. Furthermore, an injury of neighboring healthy tooth roots is possible, which now begin to hurt. Sensory disturbances or a numbness in the lower lip may also occur, as the nerve may have been damaged or irritated.

This sensation fades by itself after a few days. At home, you can support the healing process by following the advice given above and rinsing the mouth with some chamomile tea to soothe the wound and additionally relieve the pain. There are also some homeopathic remedies, such as Belladonna or Arnica montana, which accompany the healing process.