Recovery From Root Canals

Many patients are apprehensive about undergoing root canal therapy due to the procedure's reputation for being painful. However, root canal recovery is minimal as patients can usually return to normal activities the day after treatment and experience fairly mild symptoms.

Gentle Root Canal Care and Recovery Guidance

In addition to using gentle techniques, Dr. John F. Rink can help prepare you for your recovery by educating you about what to expect and how to manage discomfort and swelling. At Charleston Center for Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry, we strive to provide patient-oriented care that is not only effective but pleasant at our Charleston, SC, practice. Many patients are apprehensive about undergoing root canal therapy due to the procedure's reputation for being painful.

However, the root canal recovery is minimal. Patients generally experience fairly mild symptoms and can usually return to normal activities the day after treatment. In addition to using gentle techniques, Dr. John F. Rink can help you prepare for your recovery by educating you about what to expect and how to manage discomfort and swelling. At Charleston Center for Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry in Charleston, SC, we strive to provide patient-oriented care that is not only effective but also pleasant and educational.

Normal Symptoms During Your Recovery

Over the next two or three days, you may experience:

Discomfort
Swelling
Jaw soreness

In most cases, over-the-counter medication can manage these symptoms.

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Signs of Complications

There are some instances in which root canal treatment can fail. Signs of root canal complications can include:

Severe pressure lasting several days
Excessive pain
Visible swelling

You should contact us immediately if you are experiencing any of these sensations or if your temporary crown or filling comes out.

Dietary Restrictions During Your Recovery

To avoid discomfort or damage, you should avoid biting down or chewing on the treated tooth until you receive your finalized restoration. For the first few days, it is beneficial to maintain a soft-food diet including foods such as:

Smoothies
Yogurt
Mashed vegetables
Pasta
Applesauce
Pancakes

It is essential that you do not eat sticky or hard foods at this time, as they can pull on and loosen your temporary crown or filling. If your temporary restoration comes out, it can leave your tooth susceptible to further damage.

Maintaining Proper Dental Hygiene

Proper dental hygiene through brushing and flossing is important to help prevent infection. If you are unsure about how often to floss, brush, and rinse, our knowledgeable team is happy to provide you with the proper protocols. Patients can usually return to normal activities the day after treatment and generally experience fairly mild symptoms after a root canal treatment.

In some cases, we can provide same-day crowns created in our office using CEREC. Otherwise, you will need to return to our office a few days later to receive your finalized dental crown. We also encourage a regular check-up to monitor your recovery about six months after the procedure. During this check-up, Dr. Rink can evaluate the success of your root canal and monitor your oral health as well as perform a biannual cleaning and exam.