Before Endodontic Treatment
Root canal therapy is performed using local anesthesia. There are usually no restrictions concerning driving or returning to work on the same day.
Continue all medications as recommended by your regular physician. If any medication you are taking requires you to avoid driving, please have someone drive you to and from your appointment. Please call our office with any questions regarding medication.
Please eat breakfast or lunch as usual prior to your appointment. You will be numb for about 3 hours following your appointment.
Please ensure that you are on the appropriate antibiotic on the day of your appointment if you have been advised by your physician or dentist to use antibiotic premedication prior to dental treatment. If there is a question, please call our office.
After Endodontic Treatment
It can be very normal for your tooth to be sore following root canal treatment, especially when chewing or biting down. This tenderness generally lasts 3 – 6 days.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Motrin, Ibuprofen, or Tylenol will help with any discomfort. If Dr. Harreld prescribed any additional pain medications, please take them as directed. If your pain cannot be controlled or if you experience any swelling, please contact our office. Please note that facial swelling on the side that treatment was performed may occur, especially if root canal treatment was performed on an infected tooth or a tooth with a dead nerve.
Please do not chew on the side of your mouth on which treatment was performed for 1 hour. We will place a temporary filling in your tooth that needs time to set up and harden. After that time, use caution with that tooth until you return to your general dentist. Restoring your tooth as soon as possible helps ensure the success of root canal treatment. We recommend that you return to your general dentist 1 – 3 weeks following root canal treatment for placement of a permanent filling and/or crown.