Root Canal Therapy Aftercare

It is not uncommon for a tooth to be uncomfortable or even exhibit a dull ache immediately after receiving root canal therapy. Your tooth will be sensitive to biting pressure and may even appear to feel loose. This is a result of the sensitivity of nerve endings in the tissue just outside the end of the root, where we cleaned, irrigated, and placed filler and sealer material. This feeling will be short-lived.

You may feel a depression or rough area where our access was made. There is a soft, temporary material in that area, which may wear away to some degree before your next visit.

Managing discomfort

• Take something for pain relief within one hour of leaving our office, to get the medication into your blood system before the anesthesia wears off.
• We recommend ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, or Nuprin) — 800 mg (four tablets). These can be taken up to four times a day.
• If you cannot take ibuprofen, Tylenol or Excedrin is a substitute.
• We will also prescribe something stronger in case you need additional pain relief.

Protecting your tooth

• Whenever possible, try to chew on the opposite side from the tooth we have just treated, until you have a crown placed or the access area is restored.
• Until the final restoration is placed, your tooth is still weakened and could fracture.
• Please avoid chewing sticky, soft candy or hard foods, which could dislodge the temporary material or fracture your tooth.

Please call us if…

You encounter significant post-operative swelling, your tooth fractures, temporary material is lost or feels “high” when biting, or if you have any questions at all about root canal treatment in O’Fallon, IL.

Our dentists may be reached by calling the office at (618) 628-7080, or after hours at (618) 628-7080.