After root canal work

Root canal work often takes more than two to three appointments to complete. A temporary filling or crown is placed to protect the tooth between appointments.

After each appointment when the anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. You must avoid chewing until the numbness has worn off.

Between appointments it is common for a small portion of the temporary crown to wear away or break off. Do not be alarmed, as this is not a problem. If the entire filling falls out or the temporary crown falls out please call the surgery.

Discomfort may occur for several days after especially when chewing. To control this discomfort take pain killers as recommended.

If antibiotics have been prescribed, continue to take them until the course has been finished, even if all signs of infection have gone.

We recommend you rinse three times a day with salt water (tea spoon of salt in a cup of warm water) to reduce the pain and swelling.

Avoid sticky foods (especially chewing gum), hard foods and only chew on one side of your mouth.

The last step of root canal treatment is the placement of a crown onto the tooth. This protects the work which has been carried out.

If you have any concerns you may have, or if you have an uneven bite, please contact the surgery.