Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
The term "Root canal" sounds like it would be quite painful. The truth is, many patients are in pain prior to getting root canals because of the infection in the roots of the tooth.The pulpy matter in the root contains nerves and blood vessels that do not respond kindly to pressure. To perform a root canal we must go into the root, or roots, of the tooth in order to extract diseased or infected tissue and drain abscesses. Actually, with modern anesthesia, most patients report that root canals are not any more painful than having a tooth filled.
Some people may experience minor pain while having root canals. A few things can create this circumstance. If the area around the tooth is not completely anesthetized, one may feel some of the work being done. It’s fine to stop a dentist if you are feeling pain, since another application of local anesthetic can stop any discomfort.
People who fear dentistry often have a higher expectation of pain from dental procedures. Higher expectation of pain, and anxiety about pain can cause increased pain sensitivity. We can address this in a number of ways. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, often helps patients relax so that procedures like root canals can be done with ease.
Some people experience pain during root canals because of problems associated with their jaws, especially the temporomandibular joint. In some cases, people have trouble with popping, clicking or with the jaw locking. If you are aware of this issue prior to getting root canals, we can discuss some options. However, you may expect a little bit of jaw soreness after all dental procedures.
After root canals have been completed, many report a little bit of pain for a few days. Some report relief from pain, especially if an infected tooth was particularly troublesome. It is not uncommon to have the tooth feel a bit tender. This can usually be addressed with over the counter pain relief medications like ibuprofen. Ibuprofen reduces swelling so it may also help the jaw joint feel more comfortable. Be sure that ibuprofen or other pain relievers will not interfere with other medical conditions or medications.
If pain continues and is not helped by medications, contact our office. Sometimes a root is very narrow and a bit of infection is missed, or this might indicate infection elsewhere near the tooth. Severe pain should be indication that something is not right and you should contact us immediately to address the problem.
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