Root Canal Treatment Instructions

Before Your Root Canal (Pre-Op)

1. Take all medications as prescribed by your doctor, including any antibiotics given before the procedure.
2. Eat a moderate meal one to two hours before your appointment. You may not be able to eat comfortably for a few hours afterward.
3. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
4. If sedation has been planned, arrange for someone to drive you to and from the office.
5. Continue your normal brushing and flossing routine. A clean mouth helps us work more efficiently.
6. Inform our office of any changes to your health, medications, or allergies since your last visit.
7. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your appointment.
8. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at (404)-264-1944 before your visit.

After Your Root Canal (Post-Op)

1. It is recommended that you take something for pain relief within one hour of leaving our office. It is best to get the medication into your blood stream before the anesthesia begins to subside. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is very effective. Two to four tablets may be taken up to four times a day for the next 3–4 days (if needed) to help control the sensitivity in this area. If you have a medical condition or gastrointestinal disorder which precludes ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a substitute, although it does not contain anti-inflammatory properties. Aspirin and aspirin-containing products are NOT advisable, as they tend to increase bleeding from the area that was treated.
2. If you are experiencing discomfort, you can put an ice pack over the treated area for 30 minutes when you first get home to minimize swelling.
3. Please do not chew or attempt to eat on the side of your mouth that has been worked on while this area is still numb.
4. Whenever possible, try to chew on the opposite side from the treated tooth until you have a crown placed. Until that time, your tooth is still weak and could fracture.
5. Do not smoke during the first 24 hours and minimize the number of times you smoke during the remaining healing process.
6. Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
7. Please avoid crunchy or hard foods which could cause the tooth without a crown to fracture.
8. A putty-like material is placed in your tooth after completion of your root canal treatment. If left too long it can allow bacteria to re-enter your treated tooth leading to further treatment. It is recommended that you return to this office no later than 3–4 weeks after root canal treatment to have your tooth prepared for a crown and build-up.
9. Call your general dentist to schedule for restorative. Delay in obtaining your final restoration (a crown unless otherwise discussed) may result in fracture and/or possible loss of the tooth.
10. Please call our office with any questions or concerns.

Please call our office or Dr. Mark Barr with any questions or concerns.
Office: (404)-264-1944  |  Dr. Mark Barr: (404) 295-0289

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