Your treatment today involved removing infected or injured tissue (pulp) from inside the crown and roots of a tooth. Once cleaned, the canal was disinfected, shaped, filled and sealed. This was followed by placing either a temporary filling or temporary crown.

​

Anesthetic

​

• Your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment.  Avoid any chewing and hot foods or liquids until the numbness has completely worn off.  It is easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while numb. 

​​

• It is recommended that you take some Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) before the anesthetic completely wears off.  This will help with any swelling or pain at the injection sites where your anesthetic was administered. 

 

Bleeding

​

• You should not experience any bleeding after your procedure . Bleeding may signify a re-infection or a root canal failure. If you experience bleeding after getting a root canal done, please call our office.

 

Pain & Discomfort

​

• Your tooth may be uncomfortable or you may feel a dull ache after a root canal. The tooth will be sensitive to biting pressure and may even feel loose because of sensitivity in the nerve ending.  This is common after a root canal and may last from a few days to a couple of weeks. 

 

• After the procedure you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack to the area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off while you are awake. After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect and can make swelling and pain worse. DO NOT apply the ice pack directly to your skin; rather, use a paper towel to prevent irritation to the skin.

​​​

• Take pain medications as prescribed. Do not take medications that you are allergic to.  If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.

​​

• If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, please call our office immediately.  

​​

• There may be a slight elevation in temperature for 24 to 48 hours after surgery. This is a normal body response to the surgery. If the temperature persists or is greatly elevated, please notify the office. 

​​

• Stiffness of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth. This will usually resolve within a few days.

 

Diet

​

• Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the procedure. Avoid foods and drinks that are hot in temperature for 48 hours. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable. 

 

• Avoid all crunchy, tough or hard foods, such as: ice, popcorn, chewing gum, hard candy, mints, lozenges, nuts, peanut brittle, hard edges of pizza, tortilla chips, etc., which could fracture your weakened tooth.  

​​

• Whenever possible, try to chew on the opposite side from the tooth we have just treated until you have a permanent crown in place. Avoid putting strain of any kind on the treated tooth.

 

Oral Hygiene

​

• It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include gentle brushing with an ultra soft brush and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, except at the surgery site. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean. 

​

• No commercial mouthwash is to be used during this time (as it is very irritating) but an antibacterial rinse may be prescribed by your dentist if necessary. 

​

• After 24 hours, use a manual toothbrush with ultra soft bristles, using gentle strokes.

​​

• Do not use an electric toothbrush or a waterpik for 2 weeks following your procedure. 

​​

Activities

​

• Sleep with your head in an elevated position for the first few nights if you do not have any physical limitations.

 

• Smoking delays the healing process - do not smoke during the first 48 hours and minimize the number of times you smoke for the remainder of the healing process. 

​

• If your sinus was involved during surgery (the dentist will inform you) please refrain from blowing your nose. Please use a nasal decongestant spray to prevent congestion. If blood is seen through the nose, this is not unusual and will subside within 48 hours. If excessive bleeding is seen, please inform the office.

​

• No strenuous exercise for 48 hours after surgery, as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the surgery site.  After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. 

​

• Avoid alcohol for 4 days.  Alcohol is a blood thinner, which will prevent the blood from clotting and will slow the healing process. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages while taking the prescribed medication.

​​

Follow Up Treatment

​

• Your root canal is not complete until you have a permanent restoration (a filling or a crown) to protect the tooth.  It is extremely important that you return for your scheduled appointment to complete treatment and have the permanent restoration placed.

​​

• If your tooth has been prepared for a crown during this visit, and it seems that the temporary contacts before your other teeth when you chew or close, or contacts heavier than your other teeth, it can make the tooth sensitive.  Please call our office for a bite adjustment as soon as possible. If your tooth has not been prepared for a crown during this visit, a temporary filling has been placed until the tooth is prepared for a crown. If the temporary filling becomes dislodged or compromised in any way, or if it feels higher than your other teeth, please call our office. 

​​

• Temporary crowns are not strong. They may occasionally break or become dislodged. If this happens, please contact our office immediately, bring your crown with you and we will replace it. If you are unable to contact us, replace the temporary crown on your tooth as soon as possible using denture adhesive (available at the pharmacy) to hold it in place until you can contact us. You cannot put your temporary back on incorrectly because it will only fit one way. Caution: If the temporary crown seems as though it will not stay in place securely, do not wear it when you sleep.

​

The success of your treatment depends on keeping all of your scheduled appointments and maintaining your home care as explained by your dentist.  Failure to follow these instructions will result in serious complications that will require further treatment and incur additional fees.

​​

Following most dental procedures there may or may not be pain, depending on your threshold of pain.  You will be provided with a prescription for appropriate medication for discomfort.  In most cases, a non-narcotic pain regimen will be given consisting of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).  If a narcotic has been prescribed, follow the directions carefully.  If you have any questions about these medications interacting with other medications you are presently taking, please call our office, your physician and/or your pharmacist.

​​

IF FOR ANY REASON YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CONDITION, NOTIFY DR MORRIS OR A MEMBER OF OUR OFFICE STAFF IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING THE NUMBERS BELOW IN THE ORDER LISTED.

 

Office (780) 962-3414

The cell number provided by your primary dentist at our office

WestView Health Centre (780) 968-3600 or your nearest hospital