How Painful is a Root Canal?

Dentists working on patient

Many dental patients get nervous when they hear that they have an infected tooth that will require a root canal. Due to the practice of dentistry decades ago, a root canal is often thought of as a very painful procedure by those who have not experienced this procedure in the modern era.

A root canal is actually quite painless due to advances in medication and technology. It can be comparable to any other dental procedure such as a dental filling. The dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the location around the infected tooth making the process painless.

Does A Root Canal Hurt After The Numbing Wears Off?

Some patients experience discomfort after the numbing medication wears off, but this is usually minor and can be managed with over the counter pain medication. In some cases, the tooth may be sensitive to hot or cold temperatures for a short period of time after the procedure. This is normal and will eventually go away.

How Long Does The Pain Last After A Root Canal?

The pain after a root canal should not last more than a few days. If you are still experiencing pain after a week, you should contact your dentist to have them check the tooth to ensure that the infection has been completely removed.

You may experience a little bit of discomfort for a few days after the procedure, but as mentioned, you can take some over the counter pain medication to subside the pain.

Does A Root Canal Hurt During the Procedure?

The dentist will use a local anesthesia at the location of the infected tooth to numb your pain receptors. You will be able to tell the dentist is working around in your mouth, but there will be no pain felt whatsoever. The numbing agent will only take a few minutes to kick in and you won’t be able to feel what the dentist is doing.

After the numbing agent has been injected, the root canal procedure can commence. The dentist will make a small opening in the tooth to access the infected pulp. Once the pulp has been removed, the tooth will be cleaned and sealed.

What Does A Root Canal Feel Like?

You may feel a little bit of pressure while the dentist is working on your tooth, but there should be no pain. If you do feel any pain, be sure to let the dentist know so they can give you more numbing medication.

A root canal is actually a very quick and simple procedure that should only take about an hour or so. You may need to come back for a follow-up appointment to have the tooth crowned, but the root canal procedure itself is relatively painless.

If you have an infected tooth, don’t delay in getting it treated. The sooner you get a root canal, the less chance there is of the infection spreading and causing more damage. Trust your dentist to numb your pain and take care of the problem quickly and efficiently.

Contact Family Tree Dentist If You Are Having Tooth Pain

If you feel pain in a certain tooth, it may be infected and require a root canal. There is no reason to be afraid of getting a root canal, as it is a painless procedure. Contact Family Tree Dental today to schedule an appointment. We will numbing the pain and take care of the infection quickly. Don’t let an infected tooth turn into a bigger problem, call us today!