• IF POSSIBLE, DO NOT EAT UNTIL THE ANESTHETIC HAS WORN OFF to avoid accidentally biting lips, cheek or tongue. Unless otherwise instructed, the material is fully set when you leave our office, but please use extreme caution to avoid hurting your tissues until the numbness wears off.
• Take 800mg of ibuprofen (4 tablets of 200mg Advil) or 500mg of Tylenol every 6 hours whether you think you need it or not for two days.
  • Soreness is very normal after a root canal, and inflammation peaks at two days. Please keep taking ibuprofen and/or Tylenol to stay ahead of the inflammation.
  • You can take the ibuprofen AND Tylenol together if needed.
  • Do NOT exceed 3200mg of ibuprofen or 4000mg of Tylenol in 24 hours.
• Chew on the opposite side for two days.
  • On the second day, you can go back to soft foods.
  • On the fourth day after your procedure, you can go back to chewing normally.
• Your gums or tissue may be sore from treatment. Try warm salt water rinses every 6 hours to help soothe the tissue.
• If it feels tender to chew on that tooth after 3-4 days, please call our office for an adjustment because it will not wear down on its own and can bruise the tooth.
• IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE HAVE A FINAL CROWN OR RESTORATION. Root canal treated teeth are more susceptible to fracturing, contamination, and decay, so it is important to have a final crown or similar restoration placed as soon as possible. A delay in obtaining this restoration may result in fracturing of the tooth beyond repair and possible loss of the tooth.
• TAKE MEDICATION as instructed by the doctor. If prescribed any medications, please take as directed. If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.
• Please call our office if:
  • Your tooth fractures or your temporary restoration comes out completely prior to the placement of your permanent restoration.
  • You experience severe persistent pain or swelling.
  • After the first 2-3 days, your bite feels uneven or you are unable to bite down on the tooth without experiencing sharp pain.
  • You have an allergic reaction to any medication.

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