Root canal

Your lip, tongue, and cheek will stay numb for 2 to 4 hours, sometimes longer. Until the feeling comes back, don't eat on that side and be careful with hot drinks. It's easy to bite your lip or cheek without noticing.

Some soreness is normal. The tooth will feel tender when you bite on it for a few days, sometimes up to a week or two. That's the ligament around the root settling down, not a sign something went wrong. Unless told otherwise, take ibuprofen and acetaminophen as directed on the bottle, and take the first dose before the numbness wears off. If you were given a prescription, take it exactly as written. Finish any antibiotic.

Your tooth has a temporary filling. It is meant to last a few weeks, not forever. Until your permanent filling or crown is placed: avoid chewing on that side, avoid sticky and hard foods (gum, caramel, nuts, ice), and don't floss aggressively right next to the tooth. A thin layer wearing down is normal. If the whole filling comes out, or you feel a sharp edge or a hole, call us.

The most important step after a root canal is the final restoration. A root canal tooth without a crown or permanent filling can crack or get reinfected. Please schedule with your general dentist within 2 to 4 weeks.

Once the numbness is gone you can eat. Keep it soft for the first day or two and chew on the other side. Avoid very hot, very crunchy, or sticky foods.

You can return to work and your normal routine the same day or the next day. Smoking slows healing, so please avoid it while you heal.

Brush and floss as usual. You can brush the treated tooth gently; be careful flossing right next to the temporary so you don't pull it out.