Root Canal

After A Root Canal

By following these instructions, you can minimize the occurrence of complications and expediate recovery:

• Take your pain medication before the freezing comes out. That way it is working in your system when the freezing wears off.
• Unless otherwise instructed, take 400mg of Ibuprofen (ie. Motrin, Advil) every 6 hours for the first 24 hours, by the clock, regardless of pain levels. This will help minimize inflammation.
• The root canal procedure causes some inflammation around the tooth. This can make the tooth tender to biting, or even achy. This is normal, and usually resolves in a week or two. Occasionally it may take a month or two to completely resolve.
• When you leave the appointment, you will most likely have a temporary filling on the tooth. This temporary filling is the consistency of plaster. Be careful not to eat anything too hard or sticky on the temporary filling. Don’t worry if little pieces of the temporary crumble off, but do call us if something happens where the entire temporary filling falls out.
• As you know, root canal therapy weakens a tooth. To minimize the risk of fracture, avoid eating hard foods on the treated tooth until the final permanent protective restoration is placed on the tooth.

Call our office if you have:

1. You have pain that you cannot control with pain medication
2. The area becomes swollen
3. You feel feverish
4. You have any questions

Do not hesitate to call us at any time if you have any questions or concerns.