After Initiation or Completion of Endodontic Treatment
Your tooth, ligament, and surrounding gum tissue be tender for several days following treatment as the area heals. This tenderness is normal and no cause for alarm. These temporary symptoms are usually relieved by over-the-counter pain medications.
If a posterior (molar) tooth has had a root canal, cuspal coverage (crown or onlay) will often be necessary to help prevent fracture of the tooth. Avoid chewing on a molar tooth until your general dentist or prosthodontist restores the root canal-treated tooth with cuspal coverage (crown or onlay). You should continue your regular dental hygiene regimen.
Discomfort may be alleviated by doing one of the following:
Unless medicallly contraindicated, you can take 600 or 800 mg of ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin are brand names) every six hours with eight ounces of water. Adults should not exceed 3200 mg in any 24-hour period. This 800 mg dosage level assumes a 150 pound, adult patient.
An adult patient can also take 1000 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol is brand name) every six hours with eight ounces of water. Adults should not exceed 4000 mg in any 24-hour period. This dosage level assumes a 150 pound, adult patient. Acetaminophen should never be taken in greater than recommended dosages, as this medicine can be dangerous to the liver if taken in excessive quantities.
Another effective treatment protocol for adult patients (as long as it is not medically contraindicated) is to take both ibuprofen and acetaminophen medications simultaneously. For example, a patient can take 600 mg of Advil plus 500-1000 mg of Tylenol, every six hours. However a patient should not take two medications in the same drug class (ie: two non-steroidal anti-anflammatories [NSAIDS]) at the same time.
NOTE: It is recommended to refrain from ingesting alcohol while taking any of these medications.
Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the medications noted above, or you develop swelling, please contact our office immediately at (619) 295-3636. If you need to call after hours, please have your pharmacy information available.
A recall examination to evaluate healing is often performed six months after treatment. This appointment will require only a few minutes, and no additional fee will be required.