Treatment Instructions
Pre-treatment Care:
- Eating breakfast or lunch before your appointment is recommended.
- Continue all current medications as prescribed by your physician.
- For patients who require antibiotic prophylaxis, please ensure that the appropriate antibiotic + dosage is taken before your appointment.
- Please call our office if you have any questions.
Post-treatment Care:
- After your procedure, you will be provided instructions for pain management and how to care for your tooth while recovering from treatment. Following guidelines for care is especially important if a temporary filling or crown is in place.
- Wait until the numbness in your mouth wears off before eating in order to avoid biting your cheek or tongue.
- As the medication used to numb your mouth during the procedure wears off, you may feel some tenderness in the area for a few days as it heals. You may also experience some mild and brief soreness in your jaw as a result of keeping your mouth open for an extended period during the procedure. These temporary symptoms are normal and usually respond well to over-the-counter medications including: ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), Naproxen sodium (Aleve), Aspirin, and acetaminophen (Tylenol). In some cases, you may be prescribed a stronger medication such as a narcotic. It is important to carefully follow the instructions for your medications.
- Once your root canal and any follow-up appointments are completed, return to your referring/restorative dentist within two weeks for a final restoration or crown.
- To protect your tooth and avoid damaging it, do not chew or bite down on the treated tooth until it is fully and permanently restored by your referring/restorative dentist.
Note that a properly treated and restored tooth can last as long as your natural teeth. - Remember to brush and floss daily, as you normally would, to keep the area clean and avoid infection.