Your endodontic (root canal) treatment is now complete. Taking an analgesic before the numbness wears off may help you maintain an acceptable comfort level. Please wait to eat or drink on the affected side until after the numbness has worn away.

DISCOMFORT:

Discomfort or soreness in the area is normal for a few days (or even weeks) and range from mild to severe. Usually the amount of pre-treatment pain is a good indicator of the amount of discomfort you will experience following the procedure. It is normal for the tooth to be tender to biting or chewing. Over the counter medications such as Advil or Tylenol should relieve most of the discomfort. Rinsing with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water) may also help.  

If antibiotics and/or pain medications were prescribed, please take them as directed. In the unlikely event that swelling, fever or severe pain should occur, please call our office promptly.

TEMPORARY FILLING:

A temporary filling may have been placed in the entry made into your tooth. It is normal for a thin layer of the temporary filling to be chewed away between appointments. An unusual taste can be expected. Should the entire temporary filling come out, please call our office. It's important that your temporary filling stay intact 
until the placement of a permanent restoration.

FINAL RESTORATION:

If an appointment to place a final restoration has not been made, please call our office to schedule this appointment promptly.  Endodontically treated teeth have been weakened by previous decay and fillings. It is necessary for these teeth to receive additional protection in the form of full crown coverage. This will protect your tooth against future fractures and decay, and protect the root canal filling from possible contamination. Delay in obtaining a final restoration may result in fracture and/or possible loss of the tooth or require retreatment of the root canal.

If you have any questions regarding these directions, or if you experience excessive bleeding or swelling, persistent and severe pain, fever, or any reaction to medications, please call our office immediately at (253) 475-7125.  If after hours, Dr. Bui can be reached at (253) 576-7080.