Root Canals

What to Know After Having a Root Canal

  • The anesthesia will wear off about 1-3 hours after the procedure. It is very important to avoid chewing on the numb side in order to prevent injury to the tongue, lips, and cheek on the affected side.
  • Between appointments, a temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth. To keep the temporary filling in place, avoid eating hard or sticky foods and try to chew on the other side of your mouth. If a small portion of your temporary filling does wear away or break off, this is normal and not a cause for concern.  If the entire filling falls out, please call our office so that we can replace it.
  • It is normal to experience some discomfort or mild to moderate pain for several days after a root canal procedure. This is due to the manipulation of the tooth and surrounding structures during treatment. Taking ibuprofen before the numbness wears off can greatly reduce post-operative pain. To control discomfort, take pain medication prescribed by the dentist as recommended.
  • If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them as directed until they are finished, even if all signs and symptoms of infection are gone.
  • If you have signs of swelling or increasing pain, please call the office promptly.
  • If a crown has been recommended on the root canaled tooth, it is recommended to complete the crown as soon as possible. The tooth has already been weakened by decay and large fillings and is very prone to fracture. Delay in obtaining a final restoration may result in fracture, loss of the tooth or re-infection of the tooth.

If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call! 214-415-2125

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