🦷 Dental Aftercare
Pulpotomy Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for pulpotomy: what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
Typical recovery: about 5 daysDental
What to expect
Pediatric Note
- •This procedure preserved the baby tooth nerve to keep the tooth healthy until it falls out naturally
- •If a permanent tooth, additional treatment, full root canal may be needed later
Pulpotomy recovery, day by day
Day 0
Numbness
- Numbness may last 1-3 hours
- Watch children carefully so they don't bite their lip, cheek, or tongue while numb
- Avoid eating until numbness fully wears off
Crown/Filling
- A stainless steel crown or filling was placed to protect the tooth
- It is normal for the bite to feel slightly different at first
- The crown will come out naturally when the baby tooth falls out
Days 1-3
Pain Management
- Mild discomfort is normal for 1-2 days
- Children's ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed by your dentist
- Offer soft, cool foods if the child is reluctant to eat
Oral Care
- Brush teeth gently, including around the new crown
- Resume normal brushing routine by day 2-3
- Monitor for any changes in the treated tooth
Days 4-5
Monitoring
- Any soreness should have resolved completely
- Watch for darkening of the tooth, may indicate treatment issue
- Attend scheduled follow-up appointment
When to call your provider or 911
- •Call 911 now if you notice: Swelling of the face or gums that gets worse
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Fever above 101°F
- •Call your care team today if you notice: The child complains of increasing pain after the first 48 hours
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Tooth becomes very dark or a pimple/bump appears on the gum near the tooth
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Crown or filling falls off
When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Recovery milestones
- Day 2
Discomfort Resolves
Mild soreness should be gone
- Day 5
Ongoing Recovery Review
Review any remaining symptoms or restrictions with the care team before changing your routine.
For clinics
Stop photocopying aftercare sheets.
QR Rx sends this exact pulpotomy recovery plan to every patient, branded to your practice, opened by a QR code. It checks in automatically, answers post-op questions, asks for a review at the right moment, and brings patients back for their next visit. The aftercare you already owe every patient, doing the work of keeping them.
HIPAA compliant. No card, no contract.