Following your root canal treatment, it is normal to experience soreness or tenderness in your tooth and its surrounding gum tissue for 3-5 days after your treatment. This discomfort is perfectly normal, and there’s no need to worry.

For this reason, our doctors recommend the following instructions:

• You may eat within an hour; however, do not bite or chew on sticky, chewy or hard food.
• If necessary, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin for pain. Do not drink alcohol while taking any medication.
• If you have been scheduled for a completion appointment this will involve additional numbing of the tooth and final treatment.

Once your root canal and any follow-up appointments are completed, return to your general dentist for the final restoration or permanent crown. It’s important to make this appointment as soon as possible. A properly treated and restored tooth can last as long as your natural teeth.

If your pain persists on the treated tooth beyond 3 days, or if pain develops to a level not controlled by over-the-counter pain reliever, please call our office at (770) 939-6760.

What if I’m swelling?

Don’t be alarmed if you notice some swelling after your treatment—this is not uncommon, especially for patients whose x-rays showed a “black spot” on their tooth.

You may be able to feel the swelling, or you might see that your face looks asymmetrical in the mirror. Give our office a call if you notice facial swelling, and the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or steroid. If you are swelling and are already taking an antibiotic, we may prescribe a different one.

If you’re taking an antibiotic, it’s important you take every pill in the bottle, and that you follow the prescription instructions.

If the doctor prescribed an antibiotic and you are experiencing significant diarrhea, discontinue the antibiotic immediately and call our office. This side effect can happen with any antibiotic but is more common with Clindamycin.

We also suggest taking a probiotic or eating yogurt when taking any antibiotic. This will populate your body with healthy bacteria and help you recover easier.

What do I need to do next for restoration and follow-up?

After your root canal therapy, we will send your general dentist a full report about the treatment you received in our office. Schedule an appointment with your general dentist within 2 weeks of your root canal (or as soon as possible) for a final restoration on the treated tooth. This restoration is critical to prevent tooth fracture and decay.

Your root canal treatment at Atlanta Endo Surgical Center includes a follow-up examination between 6 months and one year after your treatment. We know, you just want to get on with your life but this follow-up appointment is important and allows us to make sure everything is going well.

The follow-up appointment is brief—normally between 10 and 15 minutes—and there is no fee for you. So you really have nothing to lose, and lots of assurance to gain! It’s extremely important you make and come to that appointment, even if you’re feeling fine. Our special imaging technology will help us make sure everything is healing as it should be inside your tooth.

Please call us at (770) 939-6760 if you have any questions.