After Completion of Endodontic Treatment
Endodontic treatment has now been completed. The hole created in your tooth to perform the root canal has been sealed with only a soft temporary restoration. A follow-up restoration must be placed to protect your tooth against fracture and decay. Please call your restorative dentist for an appointment. A complete report of treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist shortly after your root canal.
Your tooth is more prone to fracture immediately after endodontic treatment. You should chew on the opposite side of your mouth until your restorative dentist has placed a core build-up and a protective restoration, usually a crown. If your tooth’s strength is seriously compromised, your endodontist or restorative dentist may place a post and core build-up inside the tooth. Your restorative dentist and endodontist will determine the appropriate restoration to best protect your tooth.
Are There Any Potential Problems After Treatment?
- Anesthesia and nerve injury. There is a slight possibility that nerve injury can occur during root canal treatments. Rarely, this nerve can become irritated during the process of treatment. 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. Please contact Dr. Ida if you have any change in the sensation of your lip, tongue or mouth after the local anesthesia has worn off.
- 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.
If you have any questions, please call our office at Rodney D. Ida DDS MS Phone Number 714-547-8494
