Root Canals
Thank you for choosing The Dental Clinic for your dental care. Proper post-operative care is crucial for a speedy recovery after your root canal treatment. Please follow these instructions carefully:
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Pain: What’s normal?
Expect 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.
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Continue brushing and flossing your teeth as normal. We do recommend that you avoid chewing food on the affected side of your mouth until either the temporary restoration is replaced or the crown is placed.
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Every patient is different, so that means your level of discomfort will be different from other patients—and this is totally fine. It’s possible you could experience discomfort for as long as 2 weeks. The more your tooth hurts when you bit down or chewed before the procedure, the more tender it will be afterward. As long as your discomfort lessens every day, you are headed in the right direction and don’t need to be concerned!
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You can take ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin, as needed for pain. Do not take alcohol with either of these medications. If your pain isn’t responding to these medicines, please contact our office as soon as possible.
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Use this chart for our dosage recommendations, based on your level of pain. Start your pain medications at the “Mild Pain” level, and increase as needed.
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Pain Management Medications – Take Every 6 Hours
Mild Pain
600 mg Ibuprofen
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Moderate Pain
600 mg Ibuprofen + 650 mg Acetaminophen
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Severe Pain
Follow the Moderate Pain regimen. We may need to add an antibiotic and possibly a steroid. Please contact our office.
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Ibuprofen = Advil or Motrin. Don’t take more than 3200mg in 24 hours. If NSAIDS can’t be used for pain management, the tooth tends to be more sore after treatment, and the healing can take longer.
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Acetaminophen = Tylenol. It comes in two doses: Regular (325mg) and Extra Strength (500mg). Don’t take more than 3000mg in 24 hours.
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Aleve is Naproxen Sodium. We suggest taking Ibuprofen instead of Aleve because you can take Ibuprofen more often. If you prefer Aleve, please check the dosage on the bottle.
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If you find your pain is still too severe and you’re taking both 600mg Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen, please call our office for additional information. We might recommend a different prescription, like an antibiotic or a steroid.
What if I’m swelling?
Don’t be alarmed if you notice any 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 when you notice the swelling, and we will prescribe you an antibiotic or steroid. If you are swelling and are already taking an antibiotic, we may prescribe a different one.
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If you’re taking an antibiotic, it’s important you take every pill in the bottle, and that you follow the prescription instructions.
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If you have been prescribed an antibiotic and 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.
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We also suggest taking a probiotic or eating yogurt when taking any antibiotic. This will populate your body with “good” bacteria and help you recover.
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How do I take care of my temporary filling?
When we finish your root canal, a temporary restoration may be placed. If this was the case, the temporary restoration needs to be replaced within a month. If the restoration is not replaced in a timely manner, it can get reinfected, which may require that the root canal be redone.
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It is important that the filling remains intact until your restoration appointment. The filling is soft when we put it in, and it takes 30 minutes to harden.
You may notice the filling sinking while you chew. This is normal. However, if you believe that you’ve lost a significant amount of filling, or if it’s completely fallen out, please call our office during normal business hours and we will schedule a visit to replace your temporary filling.
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If this happens over the weekend, don’t worry, it’s not an emergency. Just call our office on the next business day.
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It is crucial to return for your follow-up appointment to have the permanent restoration (crown or filling) placed on the treated tooth. This step is essential to protect the tooth and restore its function.
Numbness:
The anesthetic used during your procedure may leave your lips, teeth, and tongue feeling numb for a few hours. Avoid chewing until the numbness has completely worn off to prevent accidentally biting your lips, cheeks, or tongue.
Diet:
Stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it has been fully restored. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could damage the temporary filling or the treated tooth.
Signs of Concern:
If you experience severe pain, prolonged swelling, fever, or signs of infection (pus, foul odor), or if your temporary filling comes out, contact our office immediately for an evaluation.
If you have any questions or concerns following your treatment, please don’t hesitate to call our office at (612) 444-1949. Your comfort and recovery are our top priorities. Thank you for choosing The Dental Clinic for your dental care needs.