Contrary to popular belief, the modern root canal procedure is no more painful than a standard filling, with many patients only feeling a slight discomfort, thanks to the powerful anesthetic options available.
If your dentist recommends a root canal, you might feel nervous about the pain. In fact, as root canal procedures are carried out using local anaesthesia to numb the pain, they're usually no more painful than getting a filling or other dental treatment.
Location of the decay: For small cavities on your tooth's surface, your dentist will likely recommend a dental filling. But if the decay has reached the pulp of your tooth and is causing severe tooth sensitivity and pain, you'll need a root canal to prevent an infection.
A root canal can be described as a more in-depth version of a filling, and with local anesthesia to numb the area, you should feel pressure instead of root canal pain during the procedure.
If the infection has seeped into the tooth's pulp, then root canal therapy becomes unavoidable. On the contrary, fillings can be used instead of a root canal if the tooth has a smaller cavity or a minor decay, which has not yet reached the pulp.
The root canal procedure is completed in two separate visits to ensure that the tooth is thoroughly cleaned out, sealed up, and protected from further damage.
Most patients get mild symptoms, if any. One comparative study of 168 root canal patients in the International Endodontic Journal cited a pain level hovering just above one on a zero-to-10 scale. Researchers noted that 63% of participants recorded no anterior pain at all.
Root canals are considered to be the most painful because they require removing the nerve tissue on a tooth's root. The removal of the nerve tissue is not only excruciatingly painful but also commonly leads to infection.
How long does root canal recovery take? Typically, root canal recovery time lasts less than a week. Mild discomfort may be present for a few days, but this can be managed with medication. If you have severe pain or discomfort that lasts longer than a week, call your healthcare provider.
The only way to cure tooth decay is to drill out the cavity before it spreads. However, if the cavity is too big for a filling, our dentists will recommend a porcelain crown to strengthen the tooth.
Why are root canals necessary? Root canals are a simple procedure that are recommended to save damaged, natural teeth and prevent the need for dental bridges and implants. Root canals are necessary when the pulp, or soft tissue, inside the tooth becomes inflamed or infected, which could lead to an abscess.
Because a tooth that needs a root canal usually has a large filling or is weakened from extensive decay, a crown or other restoration usually needs to be placed on it. A crown can help protect the tooth from future damage and return it to normal function.
The need for a crown is typically determined by the amount of remaining tooth structure after a root canal. Generally, if more than half of the tooth is gone, a crown is indicated to restore the tooth's structural integrity.
Cons of Having a Root Canal
Dentists have to drill through the tooth in order to get to the pulp, and additional decay might have to be removed. If the tooth is too weak to function, the dentist will add a crown to it, which will strengthen the tooth and allow the patient to use it like a natural tooth.
Dental fillings aren't that different from root canals. The decay is less serious and doesn't reach the pulp of the tooth, making the problem easier to fix. The dentist will still numb your mouth and clean out decay before replacing it with either metal or dental composite.
Though no more painful than getting a filling done for a cavity, many people fear getting a root canal because they've heard that they are painful. In reality, the most painful part of a root canal is the pain you are experiencing before the procedure is performed.
Most post-treatment symptoms are mild and require over-the-counter analgesics. And, while you need time for proper healing following root canal treatment, you don't need to let it change your usual activities. Most people can go back to work following the procedure.
Patients should plan to rest the day of their root canal procedure, and most can return to work the very next day. Our bodies need proper healing time, and this time can vary between patients. In most cases we recommend patients can return to work the day after their root canal procedure.
What Not To Do: Avoid eating immediately after the procedure – your mouth may still be numb, which makes you prone to biting yourself and other accidents. Avoid chewing hard and crunchy foods – you are still in recovery. Give your tooth ample time to heal before you can resume your normal lifestyle.
The maxillary molars, especially the second molars, have the most complicated root canal system in permanent dentition. There are many variations in canal number and configuration in maxillary molars. Treatment may be unsuccessful because the dentist may fail to recognize the unusual canal configuration.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, patients who choose root canal treatment are six times more likely to describe it as painless than patients who opt for tooth extraction. After a root canal, the tooth and the surrounding area may feel sensitive for a few days.
The pain is from the cleaning process because, during the cleaning, your dentist makes a tiny opening in the crown to clean the diseased pulp inside its chamber. While uncomfortable, the pain and sensitivity after a root canal should only remain with you for a few days.
Is a root canal painful? Since patients are given anesthesia, a root canal isn't more painful than a regular dental procedure, such as a filling or getting a wisdom tooth removed. However, a root canal is generally a bit sore or numb after the procedure, and can even cause mild discomfort for a few days.
During a root canal, the nerve and pulp are removed, and the inside of the tooth is then cleaned and sealed. It's important to note that a root canal does not kill the tooth. While root canals do remove the nerves inside the tooth, these nerves serve little function in a fully formed tooth.
The average root canal treatment is 30 to 60 minutes long. More complex cases may take around 90 minutes. A root canal typically requires one or two appointments to complete.