Instructions Following Root Canal Therapy

1. It is normal for your treated tooth and the surrounding gum tissue to be tender for several days, especially to biting or pressure.
2. If necessary, take 2-4 analgesic tablets every 6 hours. Ibuprofen is preferred, if you are not allergic.
3. It is not unusual to be unable to eat with this tooth for a few days. Brush and floss your teeth as usual.
4. In the unlikely event that pain should become severe, or if swelling develops, please call the office promptly.
5. Be very careful when chewing on the side of the mouth where the tooth is being treated. This is to avoid fracture of the tooth until you can see your restorative dentist for the final restoration.
6. If the tooth has been left open to drain:
   1. Irrigate your tooth as instructed with warm salt water after each meal and/or snack with the syringe provided to you by our office.
   2.  Avoid blocking the open tooth with food by cautiously eating on the opposite side of your mouth. To remove any accidental blockage, vigorously rinse after meals with warm salt water (water chewing). Avoid the use of a toothpick or anything else to clean the food out of the tooth.
7. If medication has been prescribed, take as directed and notify the office in the event of any significant pain, problems or swelling.
8. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office.

1.  Endodontic treatment for this tooth has now been completed. The root canals have been permanently sealed. Please phone your dentist promptly for an appointment to place permanent restoration to protect your tooth. Delay in obtaining this permanent restoration may adversely affect the success of the root canal therapy.
2. The tooth may be slightly tender for several days. If necessary, take analgesic tablets (i.e. Advil or Motrin) as instructed.
3.  Please chew very carefully with this tooth until your dentist completes the final restoration-this is to prevent fracture of the tooth.
4. Your dentist will be informed that your endodontic treatment has now been completed and a progress report will be sent along with your radiographs.
5. You will receive a notice within six months to a year requesting that you make an appointment with us for your check-up. This will permit us to examine the film of your tooth for healing. There is no additional fee for this service. It is important that endodontically treated teeth be examined periodically to evaluate healing.
6. Thank you for your cooperation during treatment of your tooth. If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to call upon us atany time.

Pain Management Recommendations

600 mg of Motrin/Advil/Ibuprofen every six-eight hours

(600 mg is equivalent to (3) 200 mg tablets, which are sold over the counter)

If the pain persists after taking the Motrin/Advil/Ibuprofen, take:

1 tablet of Extra Strength Tylenol, generic is Acetominophen, dosage of 500 mg

The combination of the two drugs (Motrin and Tylenol) can be repeated every 6 hours, as needed for pain. The two-drug combination is more effective for the management of endodontic or tooth pain.