Root Canals: After Treatment

You’ve just had a root canal and your procedure was performed using local anesthesia, which takes a few hours to wear off. During this period of time, be careful how you chew when eating as you might accidentally bite the inside of your cheek. We also recommend

Your root canaled tooth might be sore for a while. Ibuprofen or Aleve will reduce the soreness. If you can’t take these medications, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed. If your doctor prescribed a pain killer, it might already have Tylenol in it. Do not take additional Tylenol if the prescribed medication has Tylenol. Taking too much Tylenol is hard on the liver.

Your doctor will likely adjust your root canaled tooth, so your teeth do not grind against one another. If you feel like your tooth is touching too firmly against another tooth the following day, you might need to return and have the tooth readjusted.

If you are prescribed an antibiotic, be sure and finish the prescription unless you have an unexpected reaction to the medication. Contact our office if you experience unusual discomfort, run fever, or have unexpected facial swelling.

Remember, root canals can alleviate tooth pain and help you save your tooth, but a tooth that has had a root canal can be prone to fracture. A porcelain crown protects your tooth. Waiting too long to receive your protective crown could create potential for your tooth to break. This could severely compromise your tooth and possibly result in the loss of your tooth.

A check-up on your root canaled tooth might be recommended 6-12 months following treatment to make sure your tooth is healing properly.