Is a root canal treatment painful? This is the most common question we field about this treatment. The idea of a painful root canal likely originated from television series or movies. But the truth almost always surprises our patients.
Is a Root Canal Treatment Painful?
The fast answer: a root canal treatment is not painful at all. Most patients say it feels mostly the same as having a routine filling. At most, patients may feel some pressure and the vibrations of the drill.
When performed by an experienced dentist, a root canal actually relieves pain. But a fast answer rarely proves convincing. That is why we break down key elements of the treatment below to highlight just how pain-free it can be.
Anesthetic
Without anesthesia, yes, a root canal would prove a rather unpleasant experience. Fortunately, local anesthetic can thoroughly numb the treatment area. Furthermore, modern dental offices use an anesthetic application method that increases its efficiency.
The only discomfort a patient should experience is the brief application of the anesthetic. This can feel like a brief and mild pinch. You might not want the experience 24/7, but it remains very mild. In fact, we even numb the area with a topical solution first to make the anesthetic injection even milder.
The anesthetic can take several hours to wear off. During this time, take extra care to avoid biting your cheek or putting too much pressure on the treated tooth.
Pain Relief
We cannot stress enough how a root canal actually relieves pain. A dental abscess can cause significant pain. As the infection grows, it can cause notable inflammation, swelling, and other unpleasant symptoms. A root canal stops that process in its tracks.
Putting off treatment will only lead to worsening symptoms. Eventually, an infection can actually kill the affected tooth. This might mean the pain stops, but it also means that the tooth has died. Eventually, a dead tooth will fall out.
Having a root canal can stop the pain, save your tooth, and preserve your smile. All with a single dental procedure.
Discomfort After Your Treatment
After your root canal, it can take some time for the treatment area to feel back to normal. Usually, the three symptoms patients have afterward include soreness, sensitivity, and tenderness.
The soreness may feel like a mild ache. It usually remains mild, but you can take pain relievers to dampen it further. The sensitivity usually means that hot or cold food and beverages can feel exacerbated. Lastly, the tenderness may also be managed with pain relievers.
We recommend avoiding chewing on the treated side of the mouth. After a few days, these side effects should fade. For any discomfort that persists beyond a few days, you may want to visit your dentist again.
How to Minimize Risk of Discomfort
Persistent discomfort after a root canal could be a sign that the treatment was not done properly. A failed root canal could mean the tooth was not properly sealed. Additionally, an inexperienced dentist might have over-drilled the tooth.
Before choosing your dentist, we recommend doing some research. Check their reviews to see patient satisfaction with their work. If you see root canal patients complaining about lasting pain or complications, you may want to look elsewhere.
Why Does a Root Canal Relieve Pain?
Inside the tooth is a sensitive bundle of nerves and blood vessels. When a tooth becomes infected, this area (the pulp) can become dramatically inflamed.
A root canal involves removing the pulp and clearing out any infected parts of the tooth. This may sound intense, but it actually allows the tooth to continue living. The pulp’s main role was to help the tooth grow and form during your developmental years.
With the pulp removed, your tooth can continue to receive nourishment from the surrounding tissues. But if the tooth dies from the infection, there is no turning back. Timely treatment can make all the difference. Call your dentist today if you have signs of a dental abscess.
Can a Root Canal Be Painful?
Technically, a patient could have a painful experience with a root canal. However, this would only happen if your dentist does not know what they are doing. Work with an experienced dentist, and you can avoid any pain.
Call Today to Start Treatment
A single call to the dentist can move you one step closer to symptom relief. Trust us when we say that you will be glad after having a root canal with our experienced provider.