After Completion of Endodontic Treatment

If an anesthetic was used be careful not to bite your lip or tongue.  It may be numb for several hours.  There are usually no restrictions concerning driving or returning to work following your treatment.  It is possible that your tooth will be sore for a day or two.  This is due to the previous condition of your tooth and manipulation within the root canal during treatment.  Please see our Guide to Dental Pain Management for tips on managing any post-operative discomfort.  While the tooth is tender, avoid chewing in this area.  Should you experience swelling or have discomfort more than can be controlled with over the counter medications, please contact our office.  Discomfort following visits does not affect the successful outcome of treatment.

If your root canal treatment was not completed your appointment to complete the root canal will be scheduled before you leave the office for one to two weeks following initial treatment.

If your root canal treatment has been completed the root canal system has been permanently sealed.  However, the outer surface is sealed with only a temporary filling.  A PERMANENT RESTORATION must be placed to protect your tooth against fracture and decay.  Please phone your dentist to schedule for an appointment.

It is normal for a thin layer of temporary filling to be worn away due to chewing.  Should all the temporary filling come out (or if you are in doubt), call our office.

A complete report of treatment including digital radiographs will be sent to your dentist.

If any questions or difficulties arise concerning your treatment, please do not hesitate to call our office at any time.

Are There Any Potential Problems After Treatment?

  • Lower teeth and nerve injury. There is a slight possibility that nerve injury can occur during root canal surgery to the lower posterior teeth. Your endodontist is trained to assess this possibility prior to treatment and will advise you accordingly. For lower posterior teeth, the root tips may be near a nerve that supplies feeling to the lip, chin and gums. Your endodontist is trained to design your surgery to minimize the chances of damaging this nerve. Rarely, this nerve can become irritated during the process of surgery. In these cases, when the local anesthesia wears off, you may experience tingling, altered sensation or, in rare cases a complete lack of feeling in the affected tissues. Should this occur, it is usually temporary and will resolve over a period of days, weeks or months. In rare cases, these changes can be permanent and/or painful.
  • Upper teeth and sinus communication. The upper teeth are situated near your sinuses, and root canal surgery can result in a communication between your mouth and the adjacent sinus. Should this complication occur, it will usually heal spontaneously. We will give you special instructions if this is apparent at the time of surgery. We prefer that you don’t blow your nose for two to three days after surgery. If you have to sneeze, you should sneeze with an open mouth into a tissue. You should not create any pressure in the sinus area. If you sense a complication after surgery, please contact us.
  • Post-operative infections. Post-operative infections occasionally occur. This usually requires just an office visit and examination. Many times placing you on an antibiotic for one week will take care of the infection Occasionally, other follow-up procedures will be needed.

Opening to Sinus

Air Communication From Sinus

Sinus Communication Corrected

If you have any questions, please call our office at Orange Park Endodontics Phone Number 904-269-4201