After Treatment

What to Expect After Your Root Canal Treatment

  1. Treatment: You have just had “root canal therapy.” Please take it easy on the tooth for a few days. Depending on your individual case, the tooth may or may not need more treatment (permanent restoration). We will send a report to your general dentist to ensure that everyone knows your individual plan. If you are in a temporary filling, please avoid cracking or fracturing the tooth by not chewing hard or crunchy foods.

  2. Recovery: There are several factors which influence how you feel over the next few days:

    Existing discomfort prior to root canal therapy will likely extend the period of recovery.

    Existing swelling and infection may also take several days to resolve before you feel better.

    Applying ice with light pressure to the outside of your face by the affected tooth may help reduce swelling and discomfort. Applying for 20 min a few times a day as you recover is an option.

    Clenching/grinding your teeth may delay the healing process & prolong discomfort. Avoid this.

    The “average” recovery time to normal comfort and function is about a week.

  3. Discomfort: Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) is recommended if you can take it.  Ibuprofen users follow the instructions below:

    Take ibuprofen 600 mg (Motrin, Advil) within ½ hour after the procedure.

    Take 600 mg doses 3 times daily for 2 days.

    Keep in mind our focus is to reduce inflammation, which in turn will make you more comfortable.

    • If pain is not managed by ibuprofen you can cycle with 500mg of acetaminophen as well. 

      • Example: 600mg Ibuprofen 🡪 4 hours later 500mg acetaminophen 🡪 4 hours later 600mg Ibuprofen 🡪 Continue the cycle

        Women: Some studies suggest antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of

        oral contraceptives.  If you are prescribed antibiotics, consider alternate 

        methods of contraception for the current and one additional cycle.

  4. Possible Concern: Occasionally, an infection may develop despite properly performed root canal therapy.  If you experience increasing tenderness, swelling, difficulty in swallowing, radiating pain, or fever, please contact the office.

What To Expect After Your Root Canal Surgery

You have just had an oral surgical procedure. Some swelling, discomfort, light oozing of blood from the surgical site, and bruising are not unusual.  Your most significant swelling will likely be about 48 hours afterward. To minimize these normal events while providing the most favorable conditions for proper healing, please follow these important instructions:

Do:

  1. Starting right after surgery: apply ice (try placing it in a zip-lock baggie) with light pressure to the outside of your face, over the treatment area.  The ice pack should be applied alternately (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off) for 4 - 5 hours following surgery.

  2. Pain and inflammation management plan: 

    • Take ibuprofen 600 mg (Motrin, Advil) within ½ hour after the procedure.

    • Take 600 mg doses 4 times daily for 2 days (If your medical history allows)

    • Keep in mind that our focus is to reduce inflammation, which reduces discomfort and swelling.

    • If pain is not managed with ibuprofen alone, you can add up to 1000mg of acetaminophen 3 times a day. 

  3. Maintain a proper diet following surgery: For the first three days, you should drink plenty of non-carbonated fluids (water, fruit juices, Gatorade) and eat soft foods. Cutting food into small pieces may help, but let comfort be your guide. Avoid seeds, nuts, popcorn, chips, and hard, crunchy foods.

  4. Keep your mouth clean: Brush and floss untreated non-surgical areas as you would normally. Soak the surgical area with the Peridex mouth rinse for 1 minute twice daily (do not swish aggressively). Continue cleaning this way for one week or until sutures are removed. Resume regular brushing and flossing after that.

    DON’T tug on your lip too vigorously. Disrupting the sutures may tear the delicate gum tissue and thus delay the healing process.

    DON’T participate in strenuous activity for three days. 

    DON’T use any tobacco products for at least five days.

    DON’T miss your follow-up appointment.

    NOTE: If you experience persistent pain, fever, difficulty swallowing, or any other significant complication, please contact our office.