After a root canal procedure is complete, your dentist will likely send you home with guidelines to follow for pain management and how to care for your tooth post-surgery until a follow-up appointment has been scheduled. Following the instructions given by your dentist is very important, especially in the case of temporary fillings or crown placements.

The medication used to numb your mouth during the procedure will eventually wear off. As this happens, you may feel tenderness in that specific area, which might last for a couple of days. Since during the procedure your mouth had to stay open for an extended period of time, some mild soreness will most likely follow.

Over-the-counter medication usually takes care of these symptoms. However, there is a possibility that your dentist might prescribe something stronger, like a strong narcotic medication as well. If this the case, you have to carefully follow the instructions as narcotics can make you drowsy. You should take necessary precautions when taking these, like not taking them while driving a car or using heavy machinery.

Problematic Symptoms

You should contact your dentist immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:    

. Visible swelling inside or outside your mouth

. An allergic reaction to the prescribed medication (rash, hives or itching)

. Severe pain or pressure on the teeth lasting more than a few days

. Your bite feels uneven

. Symptoms you experienced before treatment return

. The crown or filling comes out if there was any.

After the procedure has been completed you must wait until the numbness passes before eating so that you do not bite your tongue or cheek accidentally. You must also avoid chewing or biting with the treated tooth until it has fully recovered to avoid damaging it. To clean it properly and avoid infection, you must brush and floss daily.

Once the root canal and follow up inspections are complete you will need to return to your dentist for a final crown to fully restore the tooth. It is necessary to schedule this appointment as soon as the dentist finishes working on your tooth. A properly treated tooth and restored tooth can last just as long as the other teeth. That is why choosing the best dentist is very crucial. If you live anywhere near Sterling, MI, you should consider visiting Dental One Care. Our team of medical experts includes dentists who are highly qualified and experienced to make sure the whole process of the root canal goes as smoothly as possible and that the client is satisfied because there is nothing more valuable to us than client satisfaction.