Home Care Instructions
Your tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be slightly tender for several days as a result of manipulation during treatment and previous condition of your tooth. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm. Do not chew food on the affected side until your endodontic therapy is completed and your tooth is covered with a protective restoration provided by your restorative dentist. You may continue your regular dental hygiene regimen. Discomfort may be alleviated by taking ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed.
NOTE: Alcohol intake is not advised while taking any of these medications. Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the above listed medications, or should swelling develop, please contact this office immediately.
The office telephone is answered day and night. If you need to call after hours, please have your pharmacy number available.
If you have any questions, please call our office at Lynchburg Office Phone Number434.385.0273
What to expect after root canal therapy
- It is not uncommon for a tooth to be uncomfortable or exhibit a dull ache immediately after root canal therapy. This should subside within a few days.
- Your tooth will be sensitive to biting pressure and may even appear to feel loose. This feeling is a result of the sensitivity of nerve endings in the tissue just outside the end of the root where we cleaned, irrigated, and placed filler and sealer material. This feeling will also subside in a short period of time.
- For long term success, it is very important to have the tooth properly restored after root canal therapy. In the majority of cases, the best treatment will be a crown or cap.
- Contact your family dentist as soon as possible for this needed restorative care.
What to do
- We recommend you take something for pain relief before the anesthesia we administered begins to subside. Generally, we recommend a combination of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400mg AND acetaminophen (Tylenol) 1000mg every 6 hours over the next 24 to 48 hours (not to exceed 4 doses in a 24 hour period). If you have a medical condition or gastrointestinal disorder that precludes ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a substitute, 1000mg every 6 hours over the next 24-48 hours
- Whenever possible, avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth until you have a crown placed.
Please call if…
- You are experiencing symptoms more intense or of longer duration than those described above.
- You encounter post-operative swelling in addition to pain.
- You have any questions at all.