So you’ve received a root canal and you are still experiencing discomfort. This may be normal. After root canal therapy, the body will begin the healing process and some tenderness is expected for the first 2-3 days. So how do you tell the difference between healthy tenderness and signs that your root canal may not have been successful? The purpose of the blog today is to help patients determine what is serious and what is not.
What’s Normal
- General tenderness in the area of the root canal for 2-3 days
- Soreness of the jaw (due to holding mouth open during procedure)
What’s Serious
- Visible swelling
- Allergic reaction to drugs prescribed
- Pain at levels similar to what you experienced before the root canal
- Uneven or high bite, or sharp pain with bite
If you have some of these more serious symptoms, then be sure to call your endodontist to discuss them and keep him informed. If you just have some tenderness, then taking some ibuprofen or acetaminophen and letting your body heal may be the best course of action. If you want more information, click here to visit the website for the American Association of Endodontists.