“Should antibiotics be taken after having a root canal?”
After a root canal, my doctor told me to take antibiotics. Should antibiotics be taken after having a root canal?
6 Answers
Yes, due to the influx by the instruments! Possible bacteria !
Every tooth requiring endodontic treatment is different. Some teeth are infected and require antibiotics and some do not.
Russell A. Sassack, D.D.S.
Russell A. Sassack, D.D.S.
There are two situations that necessitate root canal: If the pulp is dead, or if it is dying. If it is dead, then antibiotics may be needed to help control the infection. If the pulp was dying, there was no infection and antibiotics are not needed.
Antibiotics are not given routinely after a root canal. It is used if there is infection into the soft tissue (seen as swelling). It should not be given automatically after a root canal.
It depends. Was there facial swelling? Is the patient immunocompromised? Routine root canals do not require antibiotics. Ask your dentist.
Not Always. In some cases antibiotics are necessary if there is an abscess/infection/swelling and that was the reason for needing a root canal. Other times, root canals can be done due to trauma to the tooth with no infection and in those cases antibiotics wont be necessary.
Saul Escala, DDS
Saul Escala, DDS
