Questions following RCT

[Pianimo]

I had RCT today and have a few questions:

1. When can I eat on that side again?
My aftercare sheet says to avoid eating on that side 'while the tooth is healing' but doesn't say how long that will take! How do I know when it's 'healed'?

2. Do I brush and floss normally tonight?
There's conflicting advice on this in my aftercare pack, I think because some of it is specific to RCT and some general advice that seems more relevant to extractions or other surgery. The conflict being one page says "No!" whilst another says "Definitely!"

3. Is the filling I currently have in temporary or permanent?
I realise that may be impossible to answer seeing as none of you are my dentist, but I'm just a bit confused about the process. Maybe I'm just being dim but there we go! Today was my first and only RCT appointment for this tooth. It's a molar tooth but the whole appointment still only took about half an hour - I was expecting it to be longer. He had already been inside the tooth a few months ago, decided it wasn't as bad as he'd thought so not to do RCT and to try a regular filling instead, but he wasn't happy with it at my next appointment, hence the treatment today. I'm not going back for 6 months, which I assume is a review appointment and then, if all's ok, he'll put an onlay/crown on, but I'm just guessing that from past experience - I think he must have said something today but I was sedated and my escort can't remember much of what he said, and didn't understand half of rest!

Anyway, in one sense it doesn't make any difference, but I guess what I really want to know is, do I have to be careful around this tooth for the whole 6 months (e.g. not eating anything too hard or chewy), or can I just treat it like a regular filling and eat normally?

Thank you for your help. Happy to hear from people in the know whether you're dentists or not! My dentist did say I could ring tomorrow with any questions (that's one bit my escort did take note of!), but I hate calling them and am scared of my dentist so I'd much rather find the answers on here! I also apologise if some of these questions have obvious answers or can be found elsewhere; I did try a search and couldn't find anything, but that could be because my brain is still mush (it usually takes me a couple of days to get back to normal after sedation). Thanks!

 

[carole]

Hi it sounds to me that the rct is complete in which case a permanent filling should be in place. You do need to be careful with this tooth because if it is a back chewing tooth which I think it is it is compromised and is weaker than your other teeth due to having the nerve removed.

I did brush my tooth and I did very carefully floss, only because I am a baby and it takes me a while to get used to changes. I also thought that I might break something. You won't it will be fine to floss carefully at first until you get a feel and used to it. But it is best to keep it clean.

It might feel a bit sore for a few days, I had one that was just pure relief straight away and as you know another that was hell on wheels as it was thawing out.

I would eat normally but be careful with this tooth, don't bite on hard sweets or eat thorntons toffee as that is a work out for any tooth.

I am glad your appointment went well for you

Are you having it crowned in 6 months ?

Happy healing

 

[FearfulInMA]

I second everything Carole said. I'm not a dentist, but have had 4 RCT's -- all on molars. If you feel comfortable, you should be able to brush and floss normally right away.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Pianimo]

Thanks guys.

I am glad your appointment went well for you

Are you having it crowned in 6 months ?

I think so...my dentist told my escort about it while I was away with the fairies, and he didn't realise he was supposed to be paying attention! I presume I'll get an onlay, which is what I had last time.

The appointment went kind of well....see my thread for more details! Glad it's over, pleased I got through it and happy I'm not in much pain! So back at ya!