After Care – Root Canal Treatment
Root canal therapy can be an excellent choice for patients whose teeth cannot be saved with a simple filling.
Root canal involves removing damage to the interior pulp portion of the tooth so the natural tooth can be strengthened and saved from further damage and decay.
Thanks to advances in techniques and pain control, root canal therapy isn’t nearly as worrisome for patients as it used to be.
At Dental O3, we help patients preserve their natural teeth with state-of-the-art restorative procedures after root canal treatment , using the most advanced pain relief techniques.
Root Canal Aftercare
While root canal therapy is a very straightforward procedure that offers excellent outcomes, it does affect the structure of the tooth, and it is important that patients follow a few aftercare steps to ensure the tooth heals properly and doesn’t become damaged or fractured in the weeks following your procedure.
This is especially important as most teeth that have had root canal treatment should have a crown placed over it for long term strength and support.
Many patients have lost teeth that have had root canal treatment due to the tooth fracturing or splitting.
When a tooth fractures below the gums, there is no way to save the tooth and it will need to be extracted.
The most common cause for fracturing a root canal tooth is when the patient has waited too long to get in to see their dentist to have it protected with a crown or “cap” restoration.
If you need to have a root canal performed to save one or more of your teeth, here’s what you should know to help ensure the best outcome possible:
- First, because a root canal removes the interior portion of your tooth,the tooth structure will be altered and weakened following the root canal procedure. For that reason, in nearly every case, a crown or “cap” is recommended to help protect and strengthen the tooth to prevent breakage and other issues. Crowns are often placed during a subsequent procedure once your tooth and the surrounding tissues have a chance to heal. Until that appointment, your tooth is unprotected, and you’ll have to take care not to chew on that side of your mouth to avoid placing stress on it.
- Avoid crunchy or hard foods. Even if you’re trying hard not to chew on the treated side of your mouth, consuming foods that are hard or crunchy can still increase your risk of damaging the temporary filling that’s used to seal the tooth until a permanent restoration can be placed over the tooth. Hard foods can damage the filling or even cause the tooth to break off requiring an extraction. . To be extra safe, try to avoid these foods completely until the final restoration is in place.
- Be careful when brushing and flossing in the treated area.Your tooth and the surrounding teeth and gums still need proper care, of course, so be gentle (but thorough) when brushing the treated tooth, especially if the gums are still tender or the tooth is sensitive. When flossing, it may be a little more difficult to clean around the temporary filling. Take your time and don’t force the floss. If you have difficulties, call the office so that we can reshape the filling if needed.
- Take oral pain relievers as needed to manage discomfort and reduce inflammation.Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help control discomfort you may feel during the first few days after your procedure.
- Finally, when it comes to discomfort, be conscious of the difference between a “normal” level of discomfort and serious pain that might indicate a problem.
Thanks to advances in today’s root canal therapy techniques, most patients experience little to no discomfort following a root canal procedure.
When discomfort is felt, it’s usually relatively mild and related to bruised tissues in or around the treated tooth. “Normal” discomfort can vary depending on each patient’s procedure and tolerance, but generally speaking, most patients who do have discomfort will experience it for one or a few days following treatment, with discomfort gradually subsiding over time.
Taking oral pain relievers will play a significant role in relieving the discomfort. Significant discomfort that can’t be adequately relieved or discomfort that increases in intensity could be a sign of a problem including a fractured tooth or infection, and you should call our office right away to schedule an office visit.
For most patients, having a root canal is part of the process to save an infected tooth. For the long term strength and support of the tooth that had root canal treatment , a buildup and crown should be completed in the few weeks following procedure.
Once your root canal is complete, your next appointment will be made to keep your treatment on track. To help ensure the long-term health of your tooth, it’s very important to keep all your appointments and to call the office any time you experience any type of issue with the treated tooth or the area surrounding it.
Coming in for a follow-up appointment soon after root canal treatment is one of the most important things you can do to make sure your restoration is successful and your tooth doesn’t become damaged by breakage or infection.
Delay in obtaining final restoration (crown) may result in fracture and/or possible loss of the tooth.