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Following
Root Canal Therapy
It
is important to realize that your tooth is not “dead” following
root canal therapy. Our treatment takes place inside the tooth.
The outer portions of the tooth, including the ligament that holds
the tooth into its socket and the surrounding bone, remain alive.
Not only were these tissues inflamed and possibly infected prior
to treatment, but they became more inflamed as a result of your
treatment. Inflammation is the body’s mechanism responsible for
causing pain. If you allow inflammation to go unchecked, you
are more likely to experience pain following treatment. Ibuprofen
(Advil, Nuprin, Motrin, etc.) is a very good anti-inflammatory
agent; aspirin is less effective, and Tylenol is the least effective.
Assuming there are no allergies, we recommend that patients take
400mg-600mg of Ibuprofen as soon as possible after your appointment.
An additional 400mg-600mg can be taken every 6 hours until your tooth
is comfortable. Do not exceed 3200mg in a 24hr period.
The
most common complaint following root canal therapy is “my tooth
hurts when I chew on it”. For the reasons noted above, you should
expect your tooth to be sore if you try to use it for several
days following RCT. Furthermore, you most likely have a temporary
filling in your tooth. This filling is not meant to withstand
chewing forces and will wear under use. If your root canal was
not done through an existing crown, your tooth may be weakened
and more prone to fracture until it is permanently restored.
It is in your best interest not to chew on or play with your root
canal treated tooth. Finally, your tooth may feel like it is
hitting before your other teeth. If this seems to be the problem,
please call our office. A quick bite adjustment can provide almost
instant relief.
When you
leave our office you will most likely still be numb. It is important
that you be careful when eating or drinking as you could bite
your lip, scald your mouth, or crack your tooth with excessive
chewing force. Furthermore, the filling in your tooth (temporary
or permanent) may not be entirely hard by the time you exit.
Thus we recommend that you avoid chewing with your tooth while
your are numb.
As you have
seen elsewhere in our literature, root canal therapy should not
generate an intolerable amount of pain. Over the counter medications
(Ibuprofen, etc) are usually more than adequate to manage post-operative
discomfort. However, infection is always a risk. If you feel
that you are experiencing an inordinate amount of pain or swelling
following treatment, please contact our office so that we can
take appropriate measures. If a prescription medication has been
recommended (antibiotic, etc.) it is important that you take this
medication as directed.
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