Recommendations for Post-Treatment Care after Root Canal Therapy
Congratulations! By saving your tooth with root canal treatment, you have made a significant step towards better oral health. The root canal system inside your tooth has been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, shaped and sealed.
- We completed your Root Canal Therapy with a temporary access restoration, please promptly call your dentist for an appointment to place a permanent restoration on your tooth. Any delay in obtaining a permanent restoration may cause the tooth to fracture or may cause the tooth to become re-infected.
- We completed your Root Canal Therapy with a permanent access restoration. You do not need to follow up with your dentist for this tooth.
It is normal to feel some tenderness in the area over the next few days as your body undergoes the natural healing process. You may also feel some tenderness in your jaw from keeping it open for an extended period of time. These symptoms are temporary and usually respond very well to over-the-counter pain medications, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Take pain relievers as instructed and before the anesthetic wears off and continue taking for two or three days as directed. Following this recommendation may substantially decrease your discomfort after treatment. Narcotic medications, if prescribed, may make you drowsy, and caution should be exercised when operating dangerous machinery or driving a car after.
Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your root canal treatment has been completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure that lasts more than a few days, contact our office immediately. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would do.
Contact our office right away if you develop any of the following:
- Visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth.
- Allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction).
- Return of original symptoms.
- Significant pain.
- Bite feels high or uneven.
- Numbness of the tissues that persist beyond a few hours after procedure.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (425) 440-2000.
Thank you for choosing Prime Endodontics, we wish you a smooth and speedy recovery!