Surgical endodontics: post‐surgical care

The post‐surgical management of the patient is as important as the treatment planning for surgery and the surgical management of the patient. Patients who do not receive adequate and contemporary post‐surgical instructions or who ignore these instructions are predisposed to untoward sequelae, including pain, swelling and possible infection, in addition to the potential for altered healing of both the oral soft tissues and supporting osseous structures. It is the endodontic surgeon's professional responsibility to ensure that verbal and written instructions are provided to patients that clearly define activities during the critical, early healing process. Furthermore, it is imperative that the endodontic surgeon have a complete understanding of and rationale for the instructions being given to the patient.