Do Root Canals Hurt?

Introduction

A root canal treatment aims to remove tooth pulp and clean the inside of an infected or damaged tooth. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia to stop any pain during treatment. Some people experience discomfort a few days after having a root canal treatment, but this can be managed using over-the-counter medications.

Root canal treatment involves removing tooth pulp and cleaning the inside of the tooth.

Root canal treatment involves removing tooth pulp and cleaning the inside of the tooth. The dentist will first numb your tooth using a needle to inject local anesthesia, similar to most dental procedures.

Then he or she removes the infected pulp tissue, cleans out other fluids and bacteria from inside the tooth, disinfects it with medication (antibacterial solutions), seals off any openings, and fills it with a filling material called gutta-percha (a rubber-like substance). In some cases, an artificial crown or bridge may be needed to close up any holes left after filling if there isn’t enough healthy tissue left around the roots of your teeth for regular fillings.

dental assistant looking at tooth

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia to stop any pain during treatment.

Root canal treatment is performed under local anesthesia. Local anesthesia is given to numb the area. The amount of discomfort and pain you experience depends on your tooth’s pain before the treatment starts and how well your body tolerates the local anesthetic used during your procedure.

Most patients do not experience much discomfort since most procedures can be done with a rubber dam to protect other teeth and gums from getting infected by bacteria in infected root canals. However, having a rubber dam in your mouth and keeping it open for a long time may cause mild discomfort and drool.

Some people experience discomfort a few days after having a root canal treatment.

  • Some people experience discomfort a few days after having a root canal treatment.
  • Symptoms of this discomfort may include:
  • Pain, tenderness, and swelling of the gums may be felt around the tooth/teeth treated. These symptoms usually go away in three to four days but can last up to one week.
  • Discomfort when chewing or biting (especially hot and cold foods). This symptom will gradually improve; however, some people never experience it, ultimately going away.

The causes of post-treatment pain include inflammation, infection, or an untreated canal.

The causes of post-treatment pain include inflammation, infection, or an untreated canal.

Inflammation is a normal part of the healing process. It can cause mild to severe pain and swelling in your mouth after a root canal treatment. Your dentist will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to help reduce swelling and discomfort.

dentsit doing a root canal under microscope

If you get an infection after having a root canal, your dentist may need to open up the tooth again and perform more work on it. This process can be painful and result in additional problems if not treated right away by a dentist who is an Endodontist.

People can feel discomfort a few days after a root canal treatment, but this can be managed using over-the-counter medications.

You may feel discomfort a few days after a root canal treatment, but this can be managed using over-the-counter medications. If pain persists, contact your dentist and be sure to follow his or her instructions.

Unresolved pain is a sign that something is wrong. If you feel pain in your mouth after visiting the dentist, do not ignore it and hope it goes away—that will only worsen things!

root canal steps illustration

If you are experiencing tooth pain after visiting the dentist, contact your endodontist ASAP so that she can determine if any corrective measures need to be taken.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while you should not feel pain during the treatment, most people experience mild to moderate discomfort after root canal treatment. If you’re in pain, talk to your dentist about what might be causing it. The most common causes are inflammation or infection of the tooth nerve and neck or jaw pain due to tooth nerve inflammation. You may also consider taking over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for short-term pain relief.

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