ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

After your procedure wait until the numbness in your mouth wears off before eating so you won’t bite your cheek or tongue. Don’t chew or bite down on the treated tooth until it is fully restored by a dentist to avoid damaging it. Remember to brush and floss daily as you normally would to keep the area clean and avoid infection, unless instructed otherwise by your dentist.

As the medication used to numb your mouth during the procedure wears off, you may feel some tenderness in the area for a few days as everything heals and some mild soreness in your jaw from keeping your mouth open for an extended period during the procedure. These temporary symptoms usually respond well to over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol) with stronger medications rarely needed. It’s important to carefully follow the instructions for medications prescribed by your Dentist and/or written on the bottle.

Though you may experience a slightly different sensation from your treated tooth than your other teeth for some time, you should contact your Dentist immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe pain or pressure lasting more than a few days
• Visible swelling inside or outside your mouth
• An allergic reaction to medication (rash, hives or itching)
• Your bite feels uneven
• The temporary crown or filling, if one was put in place, comes out (losing a thin layer is normal)
• Symptoms you experienced prior to treatment return or do not resolve

Once your root canal and any follow-up appointments are completed, you’ll need to return to your dentist for a final crown to fully restore the tooth. It’s important to make this appointment as soon as your root canal therapy is complete. A properly treated and restored tooth can last as long as your natural teeth.

Take care of your teeth by brushing, flossing, regular checkups and cleanings and be sure to return to your dentist and/or endodontist if you experience pain or swelling in the future. It’s possible for a properly treated tooth to require treatment again even years after a first procedure but often when this occurs the tooth can be saved.