Please follow the guidelines below and contact us with any questions
- Refrain from eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes following your treatment. Avoid touching the treated tooth with your tongue, as this can disturb the area. These precautions help ensure the temporary filling has sufficient time to fully harden.
- If you were given any prescriptions, please have them filled promptly and take them as directed. If no prescriptions were given, you can take anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Advil (as long as you do not have any allergies to these medications) for alleviation of discomfort. Alternatively, you may take Extra Strength Tylenol. Do not exceed the dosage guidelines listed on the medication label. If you experience persistent discomfort or unable to achieve adequate relief, please contact our office for further guidance.
- Once you resume eating and drinking, avoid chewing or biting on the treated area until your permanent restoration has been placed. The temporary filling or crown placed immediately following root canal treatment is vulnerable to fracturing. To protect the temporary restoration, avoid chewing hard foods such as nuts, pretzels, popcorn, chips, hard candy, or ice cubes. It is important to return to your dentist within 30 days to have a permanent crown or filling placed. Delaying treatment beyond this period increases the chances that the temporary will fracture, which can compromise the success of your root canal.
- It is rare for a temporary filling to fall out, although slight wear or a small indentation may occur during normal use. If the temporary falls out, please contact our office as soon as possible. If the temporary falls out after office hours, you may purchase temporary filling material from a pharmacy and follow the included instructions to cover the area until you can be seen in our office.
- Some discomfort is normal for a few days following root canal treatment. In certain cases, the tooth and surrounding tissue may experience prolonged soreness as the area continues to heal.
- Please keep the treated area clean by gently brushing and flossing regularly, unless otherwise instructed by our office. Follow any other instructions provided during your visit, and take all medications as prescribed.
THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
While flare-ups are rare, they occur in about 5% of cases and may cause significant pain. They generally only occur in teeth that are extremely irritated or infected, or in those with a history of prior treatment. These sometimes occur randomly, even on patients that have had root canals done in the past without problems. If you have a flare-up, you may experience moderate to severe pain, swelling, or throbbing. Please contact our office immediately. Depending on your symptoms, we may prescribe additional medication, such as antibiotics, or request that you come to the office for further evaluation and treatment.
