K&W Dental | Forest Hills
107-37 71st Ave
2nd FL, Suite #4
Forest Hills, NY, 11375
Tel: 718-263-0423
Follow-Up After Root Canal Treatment
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A temporary filling has been placed in the entry made into your tooth.
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Do not use the tooth to bite down on anything hard (peanuts, pretzels, ice, chocolate, chips etc.) until the permanent filling/crown has been placed on the tooth. The tooth is prone to fracture and if you bite down on anything too hard or crunchy you may fracture the tooth.
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Do not try to feel around your tooth with your tongue as you have a temporary filling in the tooth and it takes about 30 minutes to harden.
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It is normal for some of the temporary filling to be chewed away between appointments. An unusual taste can be expected. It is very rare for it to fall out entirely because it is very deep in the canal, but if it does fall out, please contact us as soon as possible.
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Once your root canal treatment is completed, you’ll need to return to your dentist for a final crown to fully restore the tooth. Temporary filling is effective for up to 1 month but delaying final restoration beyond that will greatly increase the risk of Root Canal Treatment failure.
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After your procedure wait until the numbness in your mouth wears off before eating so you won’t bite your cheek or tongue.
Pain Management After Root Canal Treatment
As the local anesthesia wears off, you may feel some tenderness in the area for a few days as everything heals and some mild soreness in your jaw from keeping your mouth open for an extended period during the procedure.
These temporary symptoms usually respond well to over-the-counter medication but you may be prescribed stronger, narcotic medication as well. It’s important to carefully follow the instructions for medications and that narcotics can make you drowsy so you should exercise caution when taking them. Make sure to avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery while taking narcotics medications.
Though you may experience a slightly different sensation from your treated tooth than your other teeth for some time, you should contact our office immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
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Severe pain or pressure lasting more than a few days
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Visible swelling inside or outside your mouth
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An allergic reaction to medication (rash, hives or itching)
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Your bite feels uneven
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The temporary crown or filling, if one was put in place, completely comes out (losing a thin layer is normal)
*Long Term Care
Take care of your teeth by brushing, flossing, regular checkups and cleanings and be sure to return to us if you experience pain or swelling in the future. It’s possible for a properly treated tooth to require treatment again even years after a first procedure but often when this occurs the tooth can be saved.