After Apicoectomy

[Sensitive Teeth Guy]

I had an apicoectomy a week ago. I was terrified in the days leading up to the procedure. In reality, the procedure itself was the easiest dental procedure I have ever had. The entire process took about 10 minutes and I didn’t feel a thing (I usually don’t do well only on local anesthesia but felt nothing with this). The worst part for me was the scraping sounds during the process and bad taste in my mouth. In comparison, getting fillings or just a routine cleaning is far more uncomfortable and takes much longer than an apicoectomy.

My issue is the recovery. After seven days, I am more swollen and have more pain than the first few days after the procedure. The entire right side of my head aches down through my sinuses/eye and down the right side of my neck. I can’t chew at all, including soft foods. I need to eat luke warm liquid or puréed foods only that I can just swallow while barely opening my mouth.

Because of my dental fears, I was singularly focused on the procedure itself. Considering the cost which was much higher than I’ve seen anywhere ($2900, zero covered by Humana dental insurance), plus the extended inconvenient aftercare I had not considered (difficult diet, no brushing/flossing, antibiotics for weeks), I wonder if an apicoectomy was worth it just to attempt to save one tooth, that may or not be successful. I’m scheduled to follow up in a week but called today to report my symptoms and I’m waiting for a call back.

I’m curious if anyone has had similar symptoms and any advice others may have. Thanks.

 

[MountainMama]

My endodontist said that swelling would peak around day 7, then gradually go down. For me, that was pretty accurate. I have had two apicos. The one on my upper molar was not terrible but the one on my upper front tooth was a long recovery. Swelling was bad for about ten days and it made my lip, nose and sinuses hurt. It does get better though. You are at the point where it should start easing up.

 

[adventride]

@Sensitive Teeth Guy How are you doing? Are you recovered from the apicoectomy?

 

[adventride]

Even though I did not receive an answer back regarding your recovery, I wanted to share some good news. My daughter (35F) had an apicoectomy the middle of August. It took a week for the pain to start subsiding and by the end of the second week the pain was gone. She does feel some tenderness when chewing, but is very careful how much pressure she puts on the treated tooth and tries to chew mostly on the opposite side. We were very worried the first week. The pain was almost intolerable the first 4-5 days, even with 800 mg Motrin and 1000 mg of Tylenol taken staggered as suggested. I just wanted to give some home for a good outcome.