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Post-Procedure Care Instructions

Root Canals

Since root canal therapy typically takes at least two appointments to complete, your dentist will place a temporary filling or crown over the site to protect your tooth between appointments.

It is common and not troublesome for small portions of your temporary filling to wear away or break off in between appointments. If the entire filling falls out, or if a temporary crown comes off, call the office to schedule a time to replace it.

Make sure that you avoid chewing if anesthesia has been used to numb your lips, gums and tongue. Injury can result in the hours after the procedure while the anesthetic wears off if you attempt to chew normally.

Pain and discomfort are normal for several days after your root canal, particularly when you chew.  Over the counter pain relievers, such as Advil or Tylenol, can help ease your discomfort. Rinsing three times a day with warm salt water will also help lessen pain and swelling. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water, then rinse, swish and spit until you have used the whole cup.

Please take your antibiotics as prescribed for the duration indicated, even if no signs or symptoms of an infection exist.

A few tips to protect your tooth and keep your temporary filling or crown in place:

 

  • Avoid      sticky foods, especially gum
  • Avoid      chewing on hard foods and substances, such as ice, fingernails and pens
  • Try to      chew on the untreated side of your mouth, if possible
  • Brush      and floss normally

 

Typically the final step of root canal treatment is the placement of a crown. It will protect your tooth from breaking (please see below for Crown post-op instructions).

If your bite feels uneven, your pain lasts more than a few days, or you have any other questions regarding your procedure, please call the office to schedule an appointment.

 

Crowns/Bridges

Make sure that you avoid chewing if anesthesia has been used to numb your lips, gums and tongue. Injury can result in the hours after the procedure while the anesthetic wears off if you attempt to chew normally.

Normal reactions to these procedures include gum tenderness and sensitivity to hot, cold and pressure. Sensitivity will increase with the invasiveness of the procedure. These symptoms should go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. In some cases, the sensitivity can last longer than a couple of weeks, but this is okay as long as your gums and teeth are progressively feeling better.

We recommend ibuprofen as an anti-inflammatory. It will help reduce the inflammation in the affected area and help eliminate sensitivity if taken as indicated. However, if the pain and sensitivity continues for more than a couple of weeks or worsens over time, please contact our office for a follow up appointment.

 

Temporary Crown/Bridge

It is very important for the temporary crown or bridge to remain on your tooth until Dr. Koo seats your permanent crown. If the temporary crown becomes loose or comes off at any time, please call the office immediately. Your tooth can shift within a few hours if your temporary crown is missing, which can inhibit the placement of your permanent crown. You may also experience sensitivity if your temporary comes off.

If your temporary comes off or becomes loose, please carefully replace it and call the office. It is not possible to replace it incorrectly because it only fits one way.

Please avoid hard and chewy foods, such as ice, hard candy, gum and taffy as they may pull your temporary off of the prepared tooth.

Flossing is an important part of caring for your temporary. Please release one end of the floss and pull it through the side of the tooth instead of pulling it up between your teeth.

Once the anesthesia has worn off and if your bite feels uneven, please give the office a call immediately. This imbalance with your bite may cause further discomfort and should be adjusted.