Care After Root Canal Treatment Visits

BRUCE Y. CHA, D.M.D.*, JIN JIANG, D.D.S., Ph.D.*, MANUEL A. SATO, D.D.S., M.D.S.

*Diplomates, American Board of Endodontics


Care After the Initial Visit of Root Canal Treatment (Root canal space is cleaned and disinfected to eliminate inflammation and infection. Temporary filling is placed.)

  • If anesthesia was given, please do not eat until the numbness wears out in a few hours.
  • The temporary filling will set in an hour. Please be careful not to disturb the setting of the temporary restoration during this time.
  • Expect soreness around the tooth and gum for a few days. If you are able, taking over-the-counter pain medication such as Advil®, Motrin® (3 pills every 6 hours for 2 days), Aleve® (1 pill every 12 hours) or Tylenol® (2 Extra Strength every 6-8 hours for 2 days) can help to reduce the discomfort.
  • If medications are prescribed, please take them as directed to ensure their effectiveness.
  • Please avoid using the root canal treated tooth for chewing crunchy or hard foods since doing so may cause discomfort or fracture. You should exercise caution eating with the tooth that received treatment until your general dentist completes the final restoration. This is especially important to follow if your tooth had been suspected for a crack.
  • Please refrain from applying unnecessary pressure to or touch the treated tooth with the tongue, finger or any object. This may cause prolonged sensitivity on the treated tooth.
  • You may brush and floss the treated tooth gently but should not floss if the temporary filling was placed in the space between the teeth.
  • Please call our office if you continue to experience discomfort for more than a week after the treatment. After office hours or during the weekend, an on call endodontist will respond to your call through the answering service.


After the Completion of Root Canal Treatment (Root canal space is filled and the tooth is temporized at this visit.)

  • If your tooth feels comfortable a few days after the completion of root canal treatment, you may call your general dentist to arrange the appointment to restore the tooth with crown or final filling as soon as possible.
  • Having the tooth restored with crown or final filling will extend the success of the root canal treatment that you received by preventing bacterial leakage and fracture. Failure to place the final restoration is the leading cause of the tooth loss after root canal treatment.
  • After the final restoration is placed, you will need to take care of the tooth with scrupulous daily brushing and flossing and regular dental check ups/cleaning.
  • Root canal treatment saves root(s) by eliminating the inflammation or infection from the root canal space inside the root(s). Root(s) has not been removed but saved as a foundation through root canal treatment. Therefore, it is natural to feel the presence of the tooth to tapping or touch after root canal treatment.
  • We provide a follow up visit to monitor the outcome of your root canal treatment usually in a year to check the healing. When you receive a post card as a reminder from us, please call our office to make the appointment for a follow up visit. There will be no charge for this visit.

Thank you for choosing our office for your endodontic treatment. We appreciate and value our relationship with you. It would be helpful to hear from you about how we cared for you and how we could have done better serving you. Please feel free to call us (203) 281-6574 (Hamden) / (203) 777-6461 (New Haven), or respond to this e-mail with any comments, questions or concerns.

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