Blog Layout

For people with inflammation or infection in the roots of a tooth, root canal treatment can relieve pain and protect the tooth from further damage. The procedure itself is relatively straightforward and will take one to two appointments to complete. While root canal treatment is a simple, common procedure, it isn't completely pain-free—as with any procedure, you may feel some discomfort for several days afterward. It's important to follow the post-op instructions that your dentist provides you with. This is especially the case for people with a temporary filling or crown in place. These instructions will help you manage your pain and take care of your tooth. In this guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about proper post-op root canal care, so you can stay comfortable during the recovery process and heal correctly.

General Tips

If you try to eat before the numbness in your mouth fades, you might accidentally bite your cheek or tongue. For this reason, you'll want to avoid doing so immediately after your procedure. You should also avoid biting down on the treated tooth until it's been completely restored. To avoid infection, don't forget to brush and floss as normal.

You should also make sure to return to your dentist for a final crown once your root canal and follow-up appointments are complete. This crown will cover the tooth and keep it from breaking. You should schedule this appointment immediately after your final treatment.

How to Mitigate Pain

It's completely normal to experience slight discomfort in the days following your appointment, especially when you're chewing. This discomfort may include tenderness and mild soreness in your jaw. Luckily, these symptoms won't last forever. They'll normally subside within several days, but in rare situations, they can also persist for a week or two. Until they go away, you can control them by using the pain medication prescribed by your dentist or with over-the-counter pain medication such as Motrin or Advil. To reduce pain and swelling further, you can rinse up to three times a day using warm saltwater.

Of course, not all pain is normal. If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should contact your dentist immediately:

  • Severe pain or pressure that lasts longer than a few days
  • Swelling inside or outside your mouth
  • An allergic reaction to the prescribed medication
  • An uneven bite
  • The temporary crown or filling falls out

How to Protect the Tooth

You want to make sure to protect your tooth after root canal treatment. If you don't follow the proper post-op root canal care guidelines, the temporary filling or crown could fall out, or the tooth could be otherwise damaged. To protect your tooth, you should take certain precautions when eating. These precautions include:

  • Avoiding sticky foods, such as gum, and hard foods, such as nuts
  • Chewing on the opposite side of your mouth

If you need a root canal in Riverview, Florida, Dr. Chris Castellano can help. Our experienced dentist and team will keep you comfortable during the entire procedure and make sure it's performed right. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

What is a porcelain fused to metal crown

By chris castellano • 25 Jun, 2023
Porcelain fused to metal crowns (PFM crowns) are metal crowns with a layer of porcelain fused on the metal. This makes them almost as durable as pure metal crowns but a lot more esthetic. PFM crowns used to be the most popular crowns in dentistry for a long time. They are still used today, but nowadays ceramic crowns are preferred, especially for front teeth restorations. PFM crowns are more affordable than all-ceramic crowns. Even though they are not as esthetic as porcelain crowns they are still good candidates for back teeth restorations. They are used on: posterion teeth conjuction with partial dentures when durable metal rests are needed

What are the signs I need a root canal?

By chris castellano • 25 Jun, 2023
-Severe tooth pain while chewing -Your tooth pain wakes you up at night -Teeth that are highly sensitive to hot or cold, with the sensitivity lingering for some time. -Discoloration or darkening of the tooth -Swollen gums in the area of the infected tooth

How long does it take to remove all 4 impacted wisdom teeth?

By chris castellano • 24 Jun, 2023
Most wisdom tooth removal surgeries last about 40-90 minutes. Even if you're having all four of your wisdom teeth removed at once, the procedure typically takes an hour. If your wisdom teeth are in a difficult position or there are unexpected difficulties, the surgery may take a bit longer.

Do All 4 Wisdom Teeth Come in at the Same time?

By chris castellano • 24 Jun, 2023
No! All 4 wisdom teeth do not always come in at the same time, but they will always be the last set of teeth to come in. As a general rule of thumb, lower teeth usually erupts before upper teeth and teeth in both jaws erupt in pairs one on the right and one on the left. It is most common for the bottom row to erupt before the top. It is also not unheard of for the top to erupt first and it is also possible for one set to come in while the other doesn’t. Several factors can influence the permanent tooth eruption pattern such as Heredity, how they are growing and the condition of the tooth and size of the jaw .

Cost to Remove All 4 Wisdom Teeth

By chris castellano • 24 Jun, 2023
Multiple factors may influence the cost of a wisdom teeth removal . The American dental Association has about 6 billing (CDT) c odes to make the cases simpler for patients, insurance companies and providers to understand . Each tooth depending on which category code it falls to will cost $250 – $800 for each tooth for patients without insurance. Insurances typically pay less, and most offices also offer multiple extractions discounts when doing all four wisdom teeth removal during the same appointment.

Is it rare to have all 4 wisdom teeth?

By chris castellano • 24 Jun, 2023
No, it is not rare at all to have all 4 wisdom teeth in fact having four wisdom teeth is the most common. Some patients have less than 4 while some have more than 4. In this instance, the extra wisdom teeth are called supernumerary teeth. Having less or more is rare relative to the number of people that have all 4. So if you have all 4 wisdom teeth you are actually in the majority not the minority.

Do they put you to sleep when you get all 4 wisdom teeth out?

By chris castellano • 24 Jun, 2023
NO! You do not necessarily have to be put to sleep for all 4 wisdom teeth removal. All 4 wisdom teeth can be safely and painlessly removed while the patient is fully awake with the mouth Numbed with local anesthesia. While Most patients are just fine with a local anesthesia to pull all 4 wisdom teeth, this is not always so for all patients, especially those who have had a terrible experience or have a very high level of anxiety and low tolerance for pain. Discuss your concerns with your Dentist.

How do I properly take care of my denture?

By chris castellano • 17 Dec, 2022
Like your natural teeth, your dentures should be brushed daily to remove food particles and plaque. Brushing also can help keep the teeth from staining.  Rinse your dentures before brushing to remove any loose food or debris. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleanser to gently brush all the surfaces of the dentures so they don't get scratched. When brushing, clean your mouth thoroughly—including your gums, cheeks, roof of your mouth and tongue to remove any plaque. This can help reduce the risk of oral irritation and bad breath. When you’re not wearing your dentures, put them in a safe place covered in water to keep them from warping. Occasionally, denture wearers may use adhesives. Adhesives come in many forms: creams, powders, pads/wafers, strips or liquids. If you use one of these products, read the instructions, and use them exactly as directed. Your dentist can recommend appropriate cleansers and adhesives; look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products with the ADA Seal have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.

Is it painful to get a root canal?

By chris castellano • 09 Dec, 2022
Is it painful to get a root canal?

Cracked Tooth Sydrome

By chris castellano • 09 Dec, 2022
Ever bite hard and experience sharp pain on a tooth? This could be due to a crack in the tooth into the nerve chamber. As you chew, the tooth will flex about the crack and rip on the nerve inside. If pain goes away quick (within seconds of release), the treatment is a crown. If the condition goes untreated, cracks widens and the pain becomes more constant. Root canal and crown will need to be done if the crack isn't too deep. Deep cracks can cause the tooth to be non-restorable requiring extraction. It's beneficial to catch this quick as soon as it happens to avoid costly treatment and pain
More Posts
Share by: