After Completion of Endodontic Treatment

Thank you for selecting our office for your root canal treatment.  Please follow the guidelines below and contact us with any questions.

Please wait at least one hour to eat or drink.  Once you begin to eat and drink, avoid chewing or biting on the area worked until your permanent restoration is in place.  It is normal for the area to be sensitive after treatment.  The temporary filling is a soft composite that is vulnerable to fracturing (cracking) with hard substances such as peanuts, pretzels, hard candy, ice cubes, etc.

You will need to see your general dentist within a month to have a permanent filling or a crown placed.  Waiting longer than a month increases the chances that the temporary filling will fracture and/or decay will develop.

If any prescriptions were given, please have them filled promptly.  If no prescriptions were given and you are not allergic, we recommend taking 600 mg of Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) every 6-8 hours for the first 2 to 3 days following treatment to control inflammation and discomfort and to alleviate swelling.  If you are not able to take Ibuprofen, you may use Tylenol 1000 mg every 6-8 hours.  If you are unable to achieve adequate pain control, please call our office.

You may find using an ice pack to the affected area useful.  Please do not apply ice directly to the skin, have a cloth between the ice and skin at all times.  You may apply the ice for up to 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the next 6-8 hours as needed.

Please keep  the area treated clean by gently brushing the area and flossing regularly.  It is rare for a temporary filling to fall out although it may divot or become worn while in use.  If the temporary falls out please contact your general dentist as soon as possible.

Some discomfort following the root canal is normal for several days after treatment.  In some cases the tooth and surrounding tissue may be sore for a few weeks following the treatment.

THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

While flare-ups are rare, they occur in about 5% of the cases and cause significant pain.  They occur with teeth that are extremely irritated and/or infected or with teeth that have a history of prior treatment.  These sometimes occur randomly, even on patients that have had root canals done in the past without problems.  If you have a flare-up you may experience moderate to severe pain, swelling, throbbing or general discomfort; please contact our office.  You may be prescribed additional medication such as antibiotics and pain management medication, and/or you may be asked to come to the office for further treatment.  Should you experience any of these symptoms, please contact the office, even after hours.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 802-872-0300