Root canal treatment can take 1 to 3 appointments depending on the tooth and the reason for the root canal.
Be careful until the anesthesia (numbing) wears off. Due to the strange feeling of the anesthetic, many people chew the inside of their lips, cheeks, or tongue, which can cause trauma or injury. A soft diet is recommended until the numbing wears off. Also, avoid hot drinks or foods until the numbing is gone.
The gum tissue may have been irritated during the procedure and may be sore for a few days. The site where the anesthetic injection was given may also be sore for a few days.
It is possible to experience symptoms like sensitivity to hot and/or cold; sensitivity to pressure, and swelling after any one of these appointments. In most cases, the quantity and quality of discomfort will subside dramatically within the first 24-48 hours. Any sensitivity to cold, hot or even breathing air “in” may take several days to several weeks to disappear completely. The most common complaint is tenderness to touch, bite, tapping, or chewing on the tooth. It is recommended to refrain from any of the above and eat on the other side until your dentist permanently restores your tooth.
It is difficult to predict which symptoms, if any, you may experience and to what extent. In some cases, pain medication and/or antibiotics may be necessary.
If you experience swelling or pain that worsens after your visit, call our office; it may be necessary to schedule an appointment and you may need antibiotics.
A temporary filling will be used to seal the tooth between visits. Sometimes it is difficult to hold this filling in place because the tooth is severely broken. If the filling comes out please call our office for an appointment to replace the filling. Leaving the tooth unfilled will lead to infection.
Be gentle on the tooth while eating, and avoid chewing on hard and sticky foods until the final restoration is placed.
During root canal treatment, the nerve, blood, and nutrient supply of the tooth are removed. This will cause the tooth to become brittle and prone to fracturing which can result in the need to extract the tooth. Eat on the other side, and avoid hard, sticky foods. In most cases, a full-coverage crown restoration (cap) will be necessary to protect your tooth after the root canal is completed.
Please follow prescribed oral hygiene instructions: 45-degree angle brushing twice a day and flossing once a day to avoid getting a cavity or gum disease around the tooth. When flossing around your temporary filling, slide the floss out between your teeth rather than snapping up between the teeth so your filling does not come out.
Follow all prescribed home care instructions exactly as directed. The success of treatment directly depends on excellent oral hygiene at home and regular visits with your dentist.
