Which post-operative expectation is true for necrotic teeth?

• A. Swelling may develop if it hasn't already.
• B. Most patients feel better after treatment.
• C. Tender to touch and aching up to 1 week.
• D. Always warn about flare-up.

Answer: (A)

Post-operative swelling is a common expectation after treating necrotic teeth because the area is often inflamed and harboring infection. Instrumentation and cleaning reduce bacterial load, but inflammatory mediators and tissue response can still drive edema after the procedure, even if swelling wasn’t present before. This makes swelling a plausible and typical post-op outcome in necrotic cases. While some patients do feel better after treatment, that isn’t universal, and pain or tenderness can persist for varying periods. The idea of an inevitable flare-up is not guaranteed in every case, so identifying swelling as a possible post-op event best fits the true expectation.