Some tenderness after root canal treatment is expected. What matters is telling normal healing discomfort apart from pain that signals a problem.
Normal
- Tenderness lasting 2–3 days, more noticeable when chewing
- Mild discomfort on touching the tooth
- Pain that responds clearly to painkillers and decreases daily
Not expected — contact your dentist
- Pain lasting more than a week or increasing
- Swelling of the gum or face
- Pain with fever
- Loss of the temporary filling
- The tooth contacting before the others when biting — a common cause fixed by a simple bite adjustment
Helping the healing
- Avoid chewing hard food on that side until the permanent restoration is placed.
- Avoid temperature extremes for a few days.
- Keep brushing — clean the area gently.
Why a crown is needed
A root-treated tooth loses its nerve and blood supply and becomes brittle over time. Especially at the back, where chewing forces are high, a crown is decisive for longevity. Delay can lead to a vertical fracture, which usually requires extraction.