Root Canal
**Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours or until the anesthetic has worn off.
Discomfort: It is not unusual to have some discomfort after root canal therapy. The tooth and gums may be irritated and sore after the procedure. This should gradually decrease over the next several days.
Eating: Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours or until the anesthetic has worn off. This will help prevent injury to your lips and cheek and allow time for the temporary filling to set to a reasonable hardness. Since the tooth may be sore to chewing and biting pressure, you should avoid hard or chewy foods.
Medications: Ibuprofen is recommended to relieve your discomfort along with an antibiotic if prescribed. Stronger pain medications may be prescribed if needed. Be sure to use all medications as prescribed.
If you have any of the following signs or symptoms, please call our office as these complications do not occur routinely:
- a reaction to the prescribed medications
- increasing tenderness or swelling in the area surrounding the tooth
- the temporary filling dislodges from the tooth
- the tooth fractures
A crown should be placed for strength within a short time interval after root canal therapy is completed. If not protected by crown coverage, the tooth can split in half due to brittleness. This is an imperative step to the future health of the tooth.