Root canal treatment is a procedure for saving teeth that are decayed or severely infected. Root canals are called for when an infection, which may have been ‘only a toothache’ in the beginning, creates an abscess which expands throughout the root of the tooth. Root canal treatment, done by an endodontist or a general dentist, cleanses the inside of the tooth, and removes the nerve and pulp present inside the root canal, saving the tooth.

Due to misconceptions and myths about the procedure, some people find the thought of getting a root canal potentially frightening. We’re going to explain what root canal therapy involves and address a common question about the procedure:

Are Root Canals Painful?

You might have heard of root canals being depicted as a very painful experience but this isn’t the case. Impressive advancements in technology and anesthetics in dentistry have made them nearly hassle- and pain-free. Now patients can expect less discomfort and shorter recovery times than they would have had years ago.

So, What to Expect With a Root Canal?

A root canal procedure might not be scary if you know what it involves. The dentist will numb the area near your tooth so you will not feel any pain. Though there are some rare cases where anesthetic may not be 100% effective when dealing with problems such as abscesses, the dentist will typically prescribe antibiotics seven to ten days ahead of time to avoid them from being a problem.

Once the root canal treatment has been completed and the bacteria and infection are cleared out of the tooth, your endodontist or dentist will remove the nerve from the tooth, place a soothing agent, and seal it with a filling. Should there be any discomfort after the procedure, it should clear up in twenty-four hours as the immune system takes care of whatever remains of the infection. There could be a little tenderness in the area for a few days following the procedure.

What If There’s Pain Following the Root Canal?

Whenever the gum tissue is inflamed, you may experience pain or discomfort. While your dentist may have removed the nerve of the tooth during the procedure, the nerves in the areas around it are still present, and the swollen tissue can still cause discomfort.

Whatever the situation, remember that it’s unusual to experience in excess of a few days of major pain. If you are experiencing such pain, you should call your dentist or endodontist right away.

Have a tooth or pain that is worrying you? Schedule an appointment to have it looked at by one of the dentists at Twin Dental.