If you have recently had a root canal or you’re about to get root canal therapy, you may be wondering what to expect. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the basics about recovering after endodontic surgery, and we’ll also provide you with some tips about how to speed up the recovery process.
Endodontics Can Be A Waiting Game
Endodontic treatments like root canal therapy are very effective at resolving infected teeth, and are typically more than 95% effective at removing the source of the infection. However, only time will tell if the procedure has been successful.
This is because if the infection is still present, it may take several weeks for symptoms of an infected tooth to re-emerge. It’s a bit of a “waiting game” to find out if the procedure was successful. If it wasn’t, you may need to see our Ruston dentist, Dr. Stuckey, again for endodontic retreatment.
Bone Is Slow To Heal
Your tooth itself will heal quickly, and will likely not cause you too much pain or discomfort, since all of the nerve-filled pulp will be removed during the procedure. However, the bone beneath your tooth is slower to heal.
A root canal involves deeply cleaning and removing a lot of material from the roots of your tooth, which extend into your jaw bone. This bone takes longer to heal than the gums and other areas of your tooth, so you must be patient. It may be up to 1-2 weeks before your mouth feels 100% normal.
Recovery Tips After Root Canal Therapy
Want to keep your mouth healthy after root canal therapy? Here are a few tips you can follow to ensure your root canal treatment is successful and that your mouth heals quickly.
- Be careful with your temporary crown – You will usually get a temporary resin crown to wear for a few weeks after your procedure, and you’ll come back to the office of Dr. Stuckey for a permanent crown. This temporary crown could be dislodged by eating sticky or chewy foods, or aggressive brushing and flossing. Be gentle, and follow Dr. Stuckey’s instructions to keep it in place.
- Know how to mitigate discomfort – Over-the-counter medicine like aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen can help. Icing the outside of your mouth for 10-15 minutes at a time can also help with discomfort after your treatment.
- Avoid heavy exertion for a few days – Don’t exercise, lift heavy objects, or over-exert yourself for at least 2-3 days after your treatment. This helps you avoid pain and discomfort and keeps your healing on track.
- Clean your tooth – If it hurts to brush near the treated tooth, rinse with warm salt water, but begin brushing the treated tooth as soon as you can to keep it healthy.
- Know when to get a follow-up – If you experience serious pain, discomfort, sensitivity to hot and cold, or continued inflammation near the treatment site for more than 1-2 weeks after your treatment, contact Dr. Stuckey for an immediate follow-up.
Know What To Expect When Recovering From Root Canal Therapy!
Like any other dental procedure, root canal therapy may cause some pain or discomfort for a little while after your treatment. But as long as you follow Dr. Stuckey’s instructions, you’ll be able to heal quickly and get back to your day-to-day routine. Need more information, or to schedule a root canal treatment? Contact the office of Patrick Stuckey online or give us a call at (318) 255-8648.
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