Philip Norman Ralph Estes, DDS
Reemon Yousif Ashoty, DDS
6311 Hillcrest Rd., Suite 200
Frisco, TX 75035
www.oakdentalfrisco.com / / Appointments: (972) 335-4145
Fax: (972) 335-1019

Root Canal Therapy

Post-Operative Instructions

We have started or completed root canal therapy on your tooth. The nerve was removed and the inside of the tooth’s root canal system was smoothed and cleaned of infection. Finally, if the root canal was completed, we used a root canal filler and sealer to seal the tooth at the end of the root.

TENDERNESS: When your tooth was infected, some infection may have spread out of the root into the bone. Until this infection is healed, you should expect tenderness and discomfort. These symptoms may persist for up to 10 days but usually are gone in 48 – 72 hours.

PAIN: For mild to moderate pain, take the over-the-counter pain reliever of your choice. If you have been given a prescription, take the medication according to the written instructions thereon. Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking the pain relief medication.

INFECTION: In many cases, to aid the healing process and reduce the infection in the bone, we may have prescribed an antibiotic. Please be sure to take these medications as directed. Women taking oral steroid contraceptives (birth control pills) please be advised of possible reduced effectiveness during antibiotic therapy and are advised to use additional forms of birth control for the next 2 to 3 menstrual cycles.

SWELLING AND DISCOLORATION: If you have any swelling, redness, or bruising in the face or jaw area, please call the office. This may indicate the localization of infection and require drainage. We may simply need to adjust or change your medications.

RESTORING YOUR TOOTH: Now that your tooth has had the nerve tissue removed it is no longer a “live” tooth and it will tend to become brittle. We usually prepare the tooth for a crown along with root canal therapy to protect the tooth and provide the needed strength to chew. If you did not have the crown started today, you should plan to do so as soon as possible. The tooth may fracture or crack, if left unprotected for any length of time.

For any unexpected or unusual conditions and for all questions, please notify our office as soon as possible.