Root Canal Recovery Time
Root canal recovery time can be different for everyone. There are over 25 million root canal treatments completed every year. Root canals are an excellent treatment option to avoid losing a tooth and keeping your teeth strong.
This article will help break down the root canal appointment and what to expect in terms of root canal recovery time.
Table of Contents
Root Canal Recovery Time: What Is A Root Canal?
A root canal is a way to treat a tooth that is damaged badly or infected in order to prevent the need to remove it. Root canals are usually performed by an Endodontist, a dental specialist, and can be done in one easy appointment.
The cause of the root canal may influence the root canal recovery time. You may need a root canal if:
- You have a large, untreated cavity in the tooth that has reached the inside layer of the tooth called the pulp.
- A bad infection is present in a tooth. Signs of an infection are a pimple or abscess at the gum line, facial swelling, or swollen gums creating pressure that does not go away.
- Continual pain that gets worse and does not go away. Pain may be present when sleeping or eating.
- Your tooth starts to change color and turns grey.
- Your tooth starts to become mobile or loose.
Root Canal Recovery Timeline
For most people, the root canal recovery timeline follows the same healing pattern. The appointment can take 30 – 90 minutes. A root canal involves:
- Removing the nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues inside the tooth.
- After the removal of the inside pulp, the canals of the roots and pulp chamber will be filled up with material.
- Finally, a permanent restoration will need to be placed like a tooth filling or crown.
After completion, the root canal recovery timeline will include some discomfort while the tooth heals. Any dental restoration can create some stress on the tooth that will ease up over time.
The average root canal recovery time is 2-3 days but may take up to 1-2 weeks to fully get back to feeling normal.
Factors Effecting The Recovery Time For Root Canals
The recovery time for root canals can be different for every tooth. The root canal recovery time can take longer depending on certain factors prior to treatment. These factors include:
- A bad infection in the tooth and gums
- A significant chip or crack in the tooth
- A large untreated cavity that has been neglected for quite some time
After the root canal is completed, certain factors can increase the root canal healing time. Certain things that can prolong the root canal recovery time include:
- Not finishing your course of antibiotics prescribed
- Poor oral hygiene leaving food, plaque, and bacteria around the treated tooth
- Using the tooth too soon to chew hard, crunchy foods
- Clenching and grinding that create pressure on the treated tooth
Root Canal Healing Time
The average root canal healing time is usually just a few days. Any post-operative pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
For faster root canal recovery time:
- Stick with a soft food diet and avoid using the tooth to chew hard foods such as nuts, seeds, and toasted bread.
- Have good oral hygiene – continue to brush all the teeth, including the root canal tooth, 2 times a day for 2 minutes and floss before bed.
- Avoid smoking until your tooth is fully healed. Consider quitting smoking for your oral health and total body health. Your dentist and medical doctor can help.
- Take any medications, prescribed and over the counter, instructed by your dentist or endodontist.
- Cold compresses can be used to relieve any pressure – place the cold compress for 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off as needed.
Oral Hygiene Tips For Fast Root Canal Healing Time
Having a good oral hygiene routine after a root canal can help speed up the root canal recovery timeline. Keeping the mouth clean will promote fast healing. Tips for oral hygiene after a root canal includes:
- Brush 2 times a day for 2 minutes. Do not avoid brushing the root canal treated tooth.
- If you use an electric toothbrush, you may want to turn it off while brushing the root canal tooth for a few days.
- Flossing is equally as important as brushing to remove food, plaque, and bacteria from between the teeth and under the gums.
- Warm salt water rinses can help neutralize bacteria and soothe the tooth and gums. Mix half a teaspoon of salt with lukewarm water and rinse several times a day for at least 30 seconds.
- Drinking water throughout the day will also help keep the gum tissues hydrated while neutralizing bacteria in the mouth.
For more oral hygiene tips, check out our Healthy Smile Guide.
Ways to Speed Up The Root Canal Recovery Time
To achieve the fastest root canal recovery time, always follow the recommendations given by your dental team. Every tooth and root canal procedure is unique and requires tailored post-operative instructions.
If you have any questions or concerns either before or after any dental treatments, your dental team will know best!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is recovery after root canal?
The average recovery for most patients after a root canal is two to three days. For some, healing may take up to two weeks for the tooth to fully get back to normal.
Should I take the day off work after a root canal?
Most discomfort after a root canal can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Every person is unique and may not be up to returning the work after a root canal. Most people are perfectly fine returning to work the next day while using pain management instructed by their dentist.
Do you need bed rest after a root canal?
Sleep is important for healing time no matter what dental or medical procedure was done. Sleeping supports the immune system that heals the body. This does not mean that you need to be placed on bed rest after a root canal is done.
Take Home Smile Store
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