Caring For Your Teeth After Root Canal Therapy Hobart
Root Canal Treatment At A Glance
| Patient Question | Treatment at a Glance |
|---|---|
| What does root canal treatment involve? | The dentist removes infected or damaged tissue from inside the tooth, cleans and seals the canals, then restores the tooth with a filling or crown. |
| Who might it suit? | It may be recommended when the pulp inside a tooth is inflamed, infected or damaged and the tooth can still be restored. |
| What affects root canal treatment cost? | Cost can depend on which tooth is treated, the number and shape of its canals, the number of visits, imaging, and the final filling or crown. |
| How long does treatment take? | Root canal therapy often takes more than one appointment. The number and length of visits depend on the tooth and the infection. |
| What is recovery usually like? | The area may feel tender after an appointment, but this should generally settle. Our dentist will explain what is expected for your situation. |
| What root canal aftercare matters? | Avoid heavy chewing on the tooth until advised, keep the area clean and complete the final restoration so the tooth is protected. |
| What do patients often ask? | “Is it better to remove the tooth?” Root canal treatment aims to keep the natural tooth. Extraction is an alternative in some cases, and our dentist can explain the benefits and limitations of each. |
Root Canal Therapy Aftercare
1
Postoperative discomfort is sometimes experienced after a treatment visit. This is due to irritation of the bone surrounding the tooth and may range from a mild discomfort in the area to an occasional episode of considerable pain. This discomfort will usually maximize in approximately 48-72 hours and then subside. Please avoid chewing on the treated tooth for a few days.
2
If a throbbing sensation occurs please keep your head elevated as much as possible and place extra pillows under your head when lying down. Avoid as much as possible any strenuous activity as well.
3
If swelling of the gum is present or should appear after a treatment visit, please rinse the area every 1-2 hours with a solution of warm salt water prepared by adding a teaspoon of salt to an 8 oz. glass of warm water.
4
If swelling of the face is present or should appear, apply an ice pack to the area for 5 minutes every 1/2 hour.
5
If antibiotic medication has been prescribed please take it as indicated until you have finished ALL of the medication. If you encounter any difficulty in breathing or a skin rash, or gastric disturbance should occur, please discontinue the medication and call the office.
6
If medication for pain has been prescribed, please take it as indicated. It is important to bear in mind that narcotic medications such as Codeine may make you drowsy. Therefore, caution should be exercised in operating any potentially dangerous machinery or an automobile.