If your dentist recommends root canal therapy for your tooth, it might sound scary at first. After all, it’s often made out to be the worst dental treatment possible. Sometimes you’ll hear sarcastic statements like, “That sounds about as pleasant as a root canal.” So, it wouldn’t be surprising if you’re asking yourself, “Are root canals painful?”
The truth is that root canals don’t involve any significant pain, at least when performed rightly. Read on to see for yourself!
The Therapy Itself Won’t Hurt
Root canal therapy is a straightforward procedure. First, the dentist will give you a local anesthetic or sedative to numb the treated area. Then, they’ll remove the infected or damaged sections of the problem tooth. Once the tooth’s inner chamber is sealed, the dentist will fully restore your tooth with a filling or dental crown.
No point in this process should hurt or cause you harm. The area numbed by the anesthetic won’t feel anything, making the operation relatively painless. At most, you might experience discomfort at the same level as getting a filling for a cavity. Even that would only be pain from the infection, however, not the dental work. The latter actually relieves the former!
What to Expect Post-Procedure
Following the root canal, you may feel some tenderness around the affected tooth. That’s perfectly normal — soreness is a typical symptom, as is a sore jaw from opening your mouth for so long. You can quickly address these with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as ibuprofen.
To keep treatment-related aches to a minimum, you should also do the following:
- Practice good oral hygiene — brush and rinse twice daily, floss once daily, etc.
- Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the crown is placed.
- With dentist permission, brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush for a few days.
- Don’t eat until the therapy’s anesthetic wears off (you might bight your inner cheek otherwise).
When to Contact Your Dentist
If you feel severe pain for multiple days after your root canal, you may be suffering a severe complication. Contact your dentist to prevent an infection, tooth cracks or fractures from affecting your recovery. They’ll be able to examine the source of the ache, diagnose the cause, and prescribe a treatment.
As you can see, root canal therapy’s infamy as a painful undertaking is undeserved. Feel free to contact your dentist to see if you could benefit from it!
About the Author
Dr. Kathy Lam is one of the top dentists in the Wheaton, Illinois, area. Her approach to dental care, which always emphasizes patient comfort and personalization, has made her well-regarded in the local community. Her services are also comprehensive, including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. She can also perform advanced procedures like root canal therapy and dental implants. Dr. Lam currently practices at her self-titled clinic and can be reached at her website or by phone at (630)-653-7720.