After Completion of Endodontic Treatment

Endodontic treatment has now been completed. The root canal system has been permanently sealed. However, the outer surface is sealed with a temporary restoration. A follow-up restoration must be placed to protect your tooth against fracture and new decay. Please contact your general dentist for an appointment. A complete report of treatment will be sent to your dentist with a recommendation for a crown or filling based on the condition of your tooth during your root canal treatment. A follow-up examination to evaluate the progress of healing may be done depending on the extent of the original infection. This appointment will require only a few minutes and no additional fee will be charged for this recall visit.

Your tooth is more prone to fracture immediately after endodontic treatment. You should chew on the other side until your restorative dentist has placed a core build-up and a protective restoration – usually a crown. If your tooth’s strength is seriously compromised, your dentist may place a post and core build-up inside the tooth. The most appropriate restoration to best protect your tooth will be determined by your dentist.

Are There Any Potential Problems After Treatment?

• Lower teeth and nerve injury. There is a slight possibility that nerve injury can occur during root canal surgery to the lower posterior teeth. Your endodontist is trained to assess this possibility prior to treatment and will advise you accordingly. For lower posterior teeth, the root tips may be near a nerve that supplies feeling to the lip, chin and gums. Your endodontist is trained to design your surgery to minimize the chances of damaging this nerve. Rarely, this nerve can become irritated during the process of surgery. In these cases, when the local anesthesia wears off, you may experience tingling, altered sensation or, in rare cases a complete lack of feeling in the affected tissues. Should this occur, it is usually temporary and will resolve over a period of days, weeks or months. In rare cases, these changes can be permanent and/or painful.
• Upper teeth and sinus communication. The upper teeth are situated near your sinuses, and root canal surgery can result in a communication between the surgical site and the adjacent sinus. Should this complication occur, it will usually heal spontaneously. We will give you special instructions if this is apparent at the time of surgery. We prefer that you don’t blow your nose for two to three days after surgery. If you have to sneeze, you should sneeze with an open mouth into a tissue. You should not create any pressure in the sinus area. If you sense a complication after surgery, please contact us.
• Post-operative infections. Post-operative symptoms from infection occasionally occur and are usually related to the pre-existing infection. The symptoms may include swelling, fever, tingling, numbness, etc. This may require an office visit and examination; but most of the time, antibiotics and adequate time for healing will resolve the problem. Occasionally, other follow-up procedures will be needed. Please contact our office for instructions.