Question 1

are you supposed to take an antibiotic after a root canal?

Accepted Answer

Not always: Unless you have some serious swelling, infection or fever, antibiotics is not necessary or warranted.  Ask your dentist.

Question 2

do i need to take antibiotics after root canal?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: When a tooth is infected or is non vital (dead) antibiotics are typically prescribed prior, during and after the root canal is performed.  If the tooth is alive and root canal is performed, often antibiotics are not indicated.

Question 3

do i need to take a course of antibiotics before root canal treatment?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: If you have a heart issue that requires antibiotics before dental procedures, then yes or if you have an associated infection that makes good anesthesia difficult, then yes, you may require a course of antibiotics. Otherwise, the chances are slim that you will need them prior to having the root canal procedure done.

Question 4

is it necessary to take antibiotics during root canal treatment ? if to take, what are drugs of choice ?

Accepted Answer

Not always: Antibiotics are not always necessary during root canal treatment.  I try to avoid them whenever possible as they pose an allergy risk to patients and taking them unneccesarily can lead to resistance.  If they are needed, best to let the dentist decide the one that will work best.

Question 5

having tooth pulled tomorrow after failed root canal. been on antibiotics 2 times in past month. will i need to take more after extraction?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics: That will be determined by the dentist actually treating you based upon your specific situation.  There is no generally agreed upon answer to your question especially without knowing your full medical history, being able to personally examine you and seeing x-rays of the area.

Question 6

what is success rate for root canal re-treatment on a premolar? how long does re-treat procedure usually take? are antibiotics given & for how long?

Accepted Answer

Good: The success rate for re-treatment of root canal on a premolar is pretty good in the right hands.  Antibiotics are given.

Question 7

gastroenterologist toronto canada. you take an antibiotic for root canal, then have emergency ileostomy and remove complete colon?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic for GI : Usually they recommend a different antibiotic prior to surgery if you are already on one.  Sometimes, because the dose is only one exposure they may continue the same drug regiment.

Question 8

i just got off an antibiotic for a tooth infection from a root canal that didn't take. could i possibly have the infection again!?

Accepted Answer

Still have infection: After root canal, you may have residual infection as the bacteria may be pushed through (normal complication) the apex of the infected tooth and cannot be drain since the canal already filled.  This will cause pain and temporary swelling.  A corticosteroid/analgesic medicaiton such as Medrol (methylprednisolone) dose pack along with an antibiotic such as Clindamycin or Keflex would help tremendously in these cases.

Question 9

do you really always need antibiotics after root canal treatment?  can you just wait and take it when you see infection started only.

Accepted Answer

Yes: The root canal is used to treat an infected tooth that is full of bacteria.   Antibiotics will help eradicate the infection or bacteria.   Why wait and see if an infection may arise.   Simply take a round of antibiotics to ensure that an infection does not occur or is eradicated.

Question 10

1 month after root canal i have a gum abscess is sensitive, doc prescribe antibiotic but he wants to take the tooth out, are there more options?

Accepted Answer

Seek a second opinio: There are always alternatives to most medical problems. I would suggest that you see another good dentist recommended by one of your friends and only if two of them agree that you need removal of your tooth, would i go along with them. Even then you can always seek an alternative treatment and try saving your tooth.

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Doctor answers about:

How long does root canal take to heal and is antibiotics required afterwards

A member asked:

Are you supposed to take an antibiotic after a root canal?

A member asked:

Do i need to take antibiotics after root canal?

A member asked:

Do i need to take a course of antibiotics before root canal treatment?

A member asked:

Is it necessary to take antibiotics during root canal treatment ? if to take, what are drugs of choice ?

A member asked:

Having tooth pulled tomorrow after failed root canal. been on antibiotics 2 times in past month. will i need to take more after extraction?

A member asked:

What is success rate for root canal re-treatment on a premolar? how long does re-treat procedure usually take? are antibiotics given & for how long?

A member asked:

Gastroenterologist toronto canada. you take an antibiotic for root canal, then have emergency ileostomy and remove complete colon?

A member asked:

I just got off an antibiotic for a tooth infection from a root canal that didn't take. could i possibly have the infection again!?

A member asked:

Do you really always need antibiotics after root canal treatment? can you just wait and take it when you see infection started only.

A member asked:

1 month after root canal i have a gum abscess is sensitive, doc prescribe antibiotic but he wants to take the tooth out, are there more options?

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