Post Root Canal  Changing Your View Of Root Canals

The post root canal time period can be very important to the success of your root canal treatment. In my 20+ years of performing root canal treatments I've been asked many questions after root canal treatment was completed on a tooth.

There is plenty of confusion about root canal treatments and the time immediately following.

I hope this information will help you understand a few aspects of the post root canal time period.

Post Root Canal Expectations

You should expect to feel numb for a short period after root canal treatment has been completed. How long varies from person to person and it depends on what the dentist used to get you numb.

If you had a tooth ache before your treatment you should expect one after the numbness goes away. Sometimes the intensity is dramatically diminished but you should expect some discomfort.

Post root canal pain and swelling don't occur with every root canal but you shouldn't be surprised by either. Neither should you think the root canal was done improperly.

I tell patients that it's like having a thorn in the bottom of your foot for a week. Your tooth hurts and the tissue gets red and swollen. Once the thorn is removed the healing process can begin. But you still have pain immediately after the procedure to remove the thorn.

Post Root Canal Care

The main point here is to follow your dentist's instructions. You may need to take some analgesics and/or antibiotics depending on the condition of your tooth.

You will want to be careful chewing on your tooth since it will be sore for a couple of days. In fact, if you had a molar root canal it will be a good idea to avoid chewing anything hard on your tooth until the crown is placed.

In Chapter 10 of my book, The Relaxed Root Canal I tell you the one thing you should never place on your jaw.
I've seen many people do this through the years and it always causes pain and swelling.

Post Root Canal Treatment

Many people think the root canal is the final step in saving their tooth. However, a permanent restoration will still need to be placed. For practically all molar teeth this will be a crown. Front teeth sometimes need a crown if a significant amount of tooth structure is missing.

95% of root canals are successful. A small number will require endodontic retreatment. This means the root canal filling will need to be removed. The root canals will need to be cleaned and filled again.

Post Root Canal Advertisement

Those few "bad root canals" are very vocal. If you had a good experience then spread the word. Let's change the reputation of root canals. Millions of teeth are saved each year around the world with root canals. Help others by telling them that it really isn't that bad!

I’ve written the book, The Relaxed Root Canal – Make Your Root Canal Like a Day on the Beach! to help people have a better root canal experience. For more information CLICK HERE.

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