After endodontic treatment please do not eat for a minimum of one hour and until all signs of numbness (lips, tongue) are gone. Your tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be quite tender for several days as a result of treatment procedures and/or the condition with which you came to the office. Do not be surprised if you cannot eat with the tooth for a few days and try to avoid chewing on it.
Before the numbness wears off take an analgesic such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Rinsing hourly with warm salt water (1/2 tsp. salt in 8 oz. water) may help soothe the tooth and gums. Take all medication exactly as prescribed unless you have an allergic reaction (itching, rash, swelling, hives). If so, stop medication and notify this office and your physician.
If endodontic treatment was completed today, the root canal(s) were permanently sealed. However, the outer surface of the tooth is filled only with a TEMPORARY FILLING. This temporary filling will usually only last about one month. It is imperative that you return to your general dentist for a permanent restoration, such as a crown, to protect your tooth against fracture and decay.
If the tooth is not permanently restored the root canals may become reinfected and endodontic treatment would need to be redone. If the tooth fractures below the gum it may have to be extracted.
After completion of endodontic treatment, your tooth may be sensitive up to two weeks as a result of treatment procedures or any remaining inflammation. You may require analgesics until the tooth feels normal. Should pain become severe or swelling develops, please call our office at 858-487-1559.