Is a Root Canal Painful?

There is a common misconception that a root canal is the most painful dental procedure around. While root canals are not exactly as comfortable as a massage and a session in the hot tub, they are nowhere near as painful as many people believe. In fact, root canals will be painless except for minor soreness following the procedure.

The root canal procedure will help patients to receive the necessary treatment so that they can keep their natural tooth without the infection. Here is a closer look at the pain involved in root canals.

Root Canal Endodontics: The True Source of the Pain

The pain a patient feels during the root canal is actually due to the infection within the tooth rather than the root canal treatment itself. We will perform a root canal to eliminate the pain. A local anesthetic will help to numb the tooth and the nearby space. While patients may feel soreness following the procedure, they can easily relieve the pain with over-the-counter pain medication.

Following this procedure, the tooth is no longer sensitive to cold or hot liquids or food for the most part. Yet the area around the tooth in question will likely be somewhat sensitive in the days following the procedure. The patient does not need to go through a complete removal of the tooth and does not have to necessarily get a filling.

What if There is no Pain?

Some teeth that require root canal therapy will not cause pain. However, this does not mean the tooth is in a perfectly acceptable condition. The patient needs to rely on the dentist to determine if the pulp of the tooth has an infection or damage.

If the pulp has an infection, then the root canal treatment will be necessary even if the tooth does not hurt. Thus, do not assume treatment will not be necessary simply because there is minimal or no pain at all. The lack of treatment can lead to an infection of nearby tissues.

Do not Worry About the Potential Pain of the Root Canal Procedure

The assistance of a numbing medicine will make the root canal go much smoother than what people anticipate. The patient will not experience any severe pain. As long as the patient continues to take excellent care of his or her mouth following treatment, then the patient will experience minimal post-procedure discomfort.

Reduce Pain Across Posterity

The patient can greatly reduce the odds of pain stemming from the root canal across posterity by brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash at least two times per day. By taking proper care of the teeth and mouth, the patient will bounce right back in the aftermath of the root canal procedure. There is even a chance that the patient will not experience significant pain during or after this procedure.

Call Us to Schedule an Appointment

If you need a root canal, another oral health procedure or a treatment, give us a call. Schedule an appointment so you can learn more about root canal endodontics, have your teeth cleaned and bring out the best in your mouth.