True or False: After root canal treatment is completed you should follow up with your patient to be sure that the patient is healing as expected.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Not sure

Answer: (A)

Follow-up after root canal therapy is essential to verify healing and catch any problems early. Healing of periapical tissues can take months, and symptoms or changes in the tooth’s condition may emerge after the procedure. A follow-up visit allows you to assess clinical signs (pain, tenderness, swelling, function) and review radiographs to monitor healing over time. If issues are detected, timely retreatment or other intervention can protect the long-term prognosis. Because you’re checking for both symptom resolution and radiographic evidence of healing, the proper approach is to schedule and perform follow-up rather than treating it as optional or uncertain.