Root canal therapy can seem like a daunting and stressful procedure to many people. But is it actually so, and does root canal treatment hurt? In this article, we answer this question and discuss the procedure and the recovery process in detail.
Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?
Modern anesthetics ensure that a patient feels no pain during a root canal treatment. You might feel slight discomfort when the anesthetic is being administered via an injection in the gum. However, the injection takes only a few seconds, and the unpleasant sensation will go away almost immediately.
The anesthetic will start taking effect and numbing the procedure area in just a few minutes after your dentist administers it. The anesthetic is successful enough that dentists can use it to perform even intensive surgical procedures, such as tooth extractions, without the patient feeling any pain. If you do feel any pain when your dentist begins your procedure, they can adjust your dose of the local anesthetic to reduce the discomfort.
Most patients report feeling significant relief after the root canal procedure is complete compared to the pain they felt prior to the procedure due to tooth infection. You might feel some soreness in the area of the procedure once the anesthetic wears off, but it will go away in a couple of days.
In cases where a dentist expects a local anesthetic will not be enough to make the patient comfortable during their root canal, they may offer sedation dentistry options.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation is typically used for dental procedures in the following cases:
- A patient has high local anesthetic tolerance
- A patient has acute dental anxiety that makes a visit to a dental office extremely stressful
- A patient finds it challenging to remain in one position for an extended period
If you have any of the issues that prevent you from going through the necessary dental treatment, ask your doctor what sedation dentistry options they offer. Typically, the following types of sedation are used in dental offices:
- Nitrous oxide sedation, also known as “laughing gas,” is administered by inhalation.
- Oral sedation is taken in a pill by mouth.
- IV (intravenous sedation) is administered via injection.
What Happens During the Procedure of Root Canal?
As previously mentioned, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic before the treatment begins. The same is true if you opt for sedation. If you opt for oral sedation, you will take the pill approximately one hour before the procedure begins.
When the anesthetic or sedation takes effect, your dentist will access the inner chamber of the tooth through the crown to clean the infected pulp out. Once the canals of the tooth are cleaned, they are filled with biocompatible material and sealed. In some cases, a dental crown is placed on the tooth after the root canal procedure. The crown will be used if the infection has significantly weakened the tooth to the point that it is not able to withstand pressure from chewing food on its own.
Root Canal Recovery
Recovery after a root canal therapy typically takes less than a week. In some cases, recovery can take up to 10 days. However, if the pain, swelling, tooth sensitivity, or any discomfort persists beyond this period, we recommend consulting your dentist immediately. Such symptoms can signify reinfection of the tooth or that the treatment was not effective. We recommend following these tips to get through the root canal recovery process more easily:
- Take the medication your doctor prescribes according to the schedule. Such medication might include antibiotics to prevent infection or painkillers to alleviate soreness at the procedure site.
- Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day to prevent reinfection of the treated tooth.
- Adjust your dies for several days after the procedure. Switch to a liquid diet in the first 24 hours after the procedure. Following that, continue with a soft diet for a couple of days. Avoid chewing food on the procedure side of your mouth until the soreness and sensitivity go away.
- Avoid very hot and very cold foods and beverages.
- Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution several times a day to keep bacterial growth in the mouth at bay.
- Abstain from nicotine and alcohol during the recovery process, as these can slow healing and regeneration.
Make an Appointment at Dream Smile City Today
Make an appointment with an experienced dentist so you can have a stress-free root canal procedure. The specialists at Dream Smile City will create a comfortable atmosphere and provide you with an effective treatment that has long-lasting results.