After Root Canal Treatment: Recovery and What to Expect
For anyone who has just had root canal treatment: the tooth may feel sore for 3 to 4 days and sometimes longer, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says. This page covers soreness, flare-ups, temporary fillings, why hospital leaflets advise a prompt final filling or crown, and when to contact a dentist. Contact your dentist if pain persists or gets worse, painkillers do not help, or a temporary filling comes out.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, principal dentist at Deepcar Dental Care, reviewed this page. He is a General Dental Practitioner, GDC 301711.
What should you expect in the first 48 hours after root canal treatment?
In the first 48 hours, numbness may last several hours, and the treated tooth may feel sore.
NHS guidance says your jaw and face may stay numb for several hours while the anaesthetic wears off, and advises being careful not to bump or knock your mouth.
Cork University Dental School says mild discomfort after treatment may be caused by the local anaesthetic, the rubber dam or the treatment procedures, lasting between 24 and 72 hours.
How long do pain and tenderness last after root canal treatment?
The tooth may feel sore after root canal treatment, and each UK source below gives a time frame for the symptom it names:
- A tooth that feels sore: for 3 to 4 days, and sometimes longer, which can be managed with painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust).
- Discomfort: normally controlled by paracetamol or ibuprofen, and usually lasting no more than a few days; in rare situations a tooth can remain sensitive to biting for longer periods, perhaps months (British Endodontic Society).
When to contact a dentist after root canal treatment, including the NHS toothache guidance and what a flare-up is, has its own section on this page.
Pain during treatment is covered on our page about whether root canal treatment hurts.
How do you look after a temporary filling after root canal treatment?
A temporary filling keeps the tooth clean between appointments, Bristol Dental School says; if it is lost or breaks down, contact your dentist.
When more than one appointment is needed, NHS Lothian says the root canals are dressed with medication under a temporary filling. None of the leaflets cited on this page gives a number of weeks it can stay in; Leeds asks for the final filling or crown promptly, and Lothian ideally as soon as possible.
Questions about this treatment? Book online or call the practice.
Why does the final filling or crown matter after root canal treatment?
The final filling or crown, the definitive restoration, seals the root-filled tooth, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says treatment success depends on it.
Leeds says a new filling, crown or onlay will likely be needed. British Endodontic Society guidance for dentists says the restoration should provide an effective coronal seal, closing the tooth from above, to stop the root canals becoming infected again. Cork University Dental School says a crown may then be needed, because without one the tooth is at risk of fracture, which may mean extraction.
How soon should the final filling or crown follow root canal treatment?
UK hospital leaflets advise having the final filling or crown placed promptly after root canal treatment.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says failure to have the final restoration done promptly significantly increases the risk of treatment failure or tooth fracture, and NHS Lothian that it should ideally be done as soon as possible.
Our page on why a root-filled tooth usually needs a crown explains how crown timing is decided at Deepcar Dental Care.
When should you contact a dentist after root canal treatment, and what is a flare-up?
Contact your dentist if pain persists or swelling increases, painkillers do not help, or a temporary filling breaks down or comes out.
NHS guidance says the area around your tooth may feel swollen and sore but it should get better in a couple of weeks.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's leaflet for its endodontic patients says about 1 to 5% of people may have a flare-up, with increasing pain or swelling 3 to 4 days later, which might require antibiotics. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's leaflet for patients referred for hospital treatment calls it a flare-up when pain persists or swelling starts to increase in size, and says this can happen in 4% to 20% of cases and the tooth will need to be cleaned further.
Cardiff says to see your dentist then, or the emergency service if yours is not available; with fever, feeling unwell or difficulty breathing, call 999 or go to A&E.
If a root-filled tooth becomes painful, NHS toothache guidance says:
- See a dentist if you have toothache that lasts more than 2 days, does not go away when you take painkillers, comes with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums or a bad taste in your mouth, or your cheek or jaw is swollen. Do not go to your GP, as they will not be able to give you dental treatment.
- If you do not have a dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment, call 111 or visit 111 online.
- Go to A&E if you have toothache and the area around your eye or your neck is swollen, or swelling in your mouth or neck is making it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak. Do not drive to A&E: ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Bring any medicines you take with you.
If you have severe toothache, our page on severe toothache explains what to do.
Where can you read more about root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment at Deepcar Dental Care typically takes 1 to 2 visits.
Our page on root canal treatment at Deepcar Dental Care explains how the treatment saves an infected tooth. Root canal treatment is one of our restorative treatments, which include ways to save natural teeth rather than replace them with implants.
Recovery after fillings and crowns is covered among the options in this section.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tooth change colour after root canal treatment?
It can. Bristol Dental School lists discolouration among the risks: it can occur due to the death of the tooth, teeth can sometimes turn grey, and treatment options are available. At Deepcar Dental Care, options include internal whitening for a dark root-treated tooth. If a treated tooth darkens, show it to a dentist.
How do you look after a root-filled tooth in the long term?
Keep up check-ups, daily cleaning and any follow-up appointments. NHS guidance advises going to any follow-up appointments and having regular check-ups, and Bristol Dental School advises brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth. Healing is covered on our page about how long treated teeth last.
What do patient leaflets say about eating after root canal treatment?
No root canal leaflet cited here gives eating rules after treatment; follow your dentist's advice. Bristol Dental School says a temporary filling keeps the tooth clean between appointments; contact your dentist if it is lost or breaks down. NHS guidance says to move carefully until the anaesthetic has fully worn off, as you may not notice if you injure yourself.
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