What to expect

If you are having root canal therapy, this is probably being done in an effort to save your tooth after the pulp and nerve have become infected by pathogenic bacteria.

In order to do this, your dentist has had to amputate the nerve from the tooth and fill the inside of the root space after thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the area.

The numbness should wear off after about 2,5 hours. Until then, be careful not to accidentally bite your tongue or cheek.

What should you expect after the numbness wears off?

The tooth may feel slightly tender for a few days following treatment when you bite on it.

Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can be soothing to the gums around the tooth.

Normal brushing and flossing routines can begin immediately as per usual.

Try not to chew on the tooth for a few days to allow the supporting tissues to settle down and heal well.

Teeth which have undergone root canal therapy do not have a normal blood supply to keep them strong. As a result, over time they can weaken and become brittle. For this reason, it is recommended that you consult your dentist about crowning the tooth at some point in the near future.

Root canal therapy has a high success rate, however sometimes stubborn infections can persist. If your tooth does not gradually begin to feel better over the next week, or if it becomes painful, or feels “high” you should contact your dentist.

In certain situations your dentist may perform the root canal treatment over multiple appointments. In between appointments, you may experience some slight discomfort as a result of the surgery to the tooth or the disinfection process. A non-steroidal painkiller such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or combination medications like Mypaid, Myprodol or Genpayne are recommended to improve comfort.