Thank you for selecting our office for your root canal therapy. We congratulate you on your decision to care for yourself and save your tooth. Please follow the guidelines below and contact our office with any questions:

• Please wait at least one hour to eat or drink. Once you being to eat and drink, do not chew or bite on the treated area until your permanent filling is in place. The temporary filling is a soft composite that is vulnerable to fracturing (cracking) with hard substances such as peanuts, pretzels, hard candy, ice cubes, etc.
• You will need to see your regular dentist within a month to have a permanent filling placed. Waiting longer than a month increases the risk of fracture or decay of the tooth.
• If any prescriptions were given, please have them filled promptly. If no prescriptions were given, we recommend taking 600mg Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) every six to eight hours for the first two days following treatment to control inflammation and discomfort and to alleviate the swelling. If you are not able to take Ibuprofen, Tylenol®, 1000mg every six to eight hours may be used. Do not exceed the guidelines printed on the label for any medication. If you are unable to achieve adequate pain relief, please call our office.
• You may find applying an ice pack to the affected area helpful. Please do not apply ice directly to the skin; have a cloth between the ice and the skin at all times. You may apply the ice for up to 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the next six to eight hours as needed.
• Please keep the treated area clean by gently brushing the area and flossing regularly. It is rare for a temporary filling to fall out although it may become worn or compressed while in use. If the temporary falls out or feels differently after some time, please contact your regular dentist as soon as possible.

Some discomfort following the root canal is normal for several days after the treatment. In some cases, the tooth and surrounding tissue may be sore for a few weeks following the treatment.

THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

While flare-ups are rare, they occur about 5% of the time and cause significant pain. They occur with teeth that are extremely irritated and/or infected or with teeth that have a history of prior treatment. These sometimes occur randomly, even on patients that have had root canals done in the past without problems. 

If you have a flare-up you may experience moderate to severe pain, swelling, throbbing, or general discomfort. If you do, please contact our office. You may be prescribed additional medication, such as antibiotics and pain management medication, and/or you may be asked to come to the office for further treatment. Should you experience any of these symptoms, please contact the office, even after hours.