4 ways to support successful healing post-root canal treatment

When searching for a “dentist near me in Sugar Hill, Georgia, to treat a badly damaged tooth,” trust a specialist in root canal therapies and other endodontic treatments. As an endodontist, Dr. Darlene Davis has the skill and experience to treat you successfully and to minimize the risk of complications that could lead to treatment failures. There are also things you can do to support healing following root canal treatment at Soft Touch Endodontics in Suwanee, four of which are highlighted below.

1 – Know the signs

It is normal to experience mild soreness as the local anesthetic wears off and your body starts to heal. While some tenderness and altered sensations are not cause for alarm, it is important to contact us if you are concerned about how your mouth is healing. Persistent discomfort and swelling may be signs of complications requiring a visit to our office so Dr. Davis can take another look at the treated tooth. Occasionally, infections do occur. With prompt evaluation and treatment, your root canal therapy can still be successful by simply taking an antibiotic as prescribed for a week. This should clear the infection.

2 – Care for your tooth

We will provide you with detailed instructions on care. Be careful to avoid biting yourself as the numbness from the anesthetic wears off (numbing is not an essential step in all cases, as the nerve of the tooth is often “dead”). If a temporary filling is placed, do not have hot drinks or chew on the tooth for several hours. This gives the filling time to harden. In general, you should avoid any behaviors or foods that involve vigorous chewing. Try to chew food on the other side of your mouth. Eat recommended foods — nothing too hard, crunchy, or sticky.

3 – Maintain follow-up appointments

It is essential to restore your tooth promptly and as directed. Usually, this involves the placement of a permanent crown. Root canal-treated teeth are vulnerable to damage. Permanent crowns build up the strength of the vulnerable tooth. Additionally, any temporaries are not designed to last for more than 30 days. Your weakened tooth may fracture or crack, and/or the tooth may become recontaminated. Ultimately, these complications would result in the loss of the tooth and the need for its replacement with a dental bridge or implant.

4 – Exercise healthy habits

Root canal treatment performed by specialists like Dr. Davis has a very high success rate. For many people, no future treatment is needed. However, your treated tooth only remains healthy if you continue to care for it. Though crowns do not decay like natural teeth, the underlying tooth structure is still vulnerable to decay and damage. So, it is important to always brush and floss well and to maintain hygiene appointments at your dentist’s office. Address habits that can threaten the health of your treated tooth, such as using products containing nicotine and bruxism (chronic teeth grinding).

Soft Touch Endodontics looks forward to answering any questions you may have about root canal treatment at every step. To speak with a member of our Sugar Hill, GA team in Suwanee, call (770) 212-9771 today.

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