Richard Raymond, D.M.D, M.Sc.D. Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics

(404) 500-8503

Recovery And Follow-up Care

  • There is no recovery time. Unless you have had sedation, there are no restrictions for driving from the appointment or returning immediately to work following endodontic procedures. You should be able to resume normal activities right after the procedure.
  • Even if you were not experiencing any discomfort prior to treatment, it is not unusual for you to experience some degree soreness in the treated tooth for a few days following treatment. This tenderness is normal and no cause for alarm. Follow the medication regimen outlined by Dr. Raymond for the most effective pain relief. If necessary, Dr. Raymond will use prescription pain medication.
  • We recommend a diet of soft foods for the first few days after your root canal. The soreness should go away in about a week. While the tooth may feel different from your other teeth for a couple of weeks, it should feel normal after roughly one month.
  • A small minority of patients may experience swelling or discomfort that cannot be controlled with the medications provided. If this happens, please call our office immediately.
  • If your tooth does not already have a crown, it is advisable not to chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist. An unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration (crown, onlay) as soon as possible.
  • A report, a copy of your final x-ray, and a clinical photograph will be sent to your general dentist following treatment with us.

Pain Relief:

  • 800mg (4 pills) of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) every 6 hours.
  • 1000mg (2 pills) of acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6 hours may also be added.
  • OR
  • 1 or 2 Vicodin/hydrocodone. Do NOT take Vicodin in the same dose as Tylenol.
  • Be sure to drink plenty of water.
  • It helps to have something in your stomach when taking medications, especially ibuprofen.
  • Warm salt-water rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) may also help.
  • Even if you were not experiencing any discomfort prior to treatment, it is normal for you to experience some degree of discomfort for a few days. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic, continue taking it until gone.

FOLLOW-UP CARE

Six or twelve months after your treatment, you will be contacted to schedule a follow-up evaluation. These appointments are very short and are free of charge. The purpose of these follow-ups is to examine the tooth and ensure you are healing properly. Continuing follow-up visits may be scheduled every six months for up to two years until the tooth is completely healed.