Schedule
Hygiene Appointment

Are Root Canals Painful?

  • Home
  • /
  • Blog
  • /
  • Are Root Canals Painful?
are root canals painful

If you have been told that you require root canal therapy in Wetaskiwin, then you may be feeling a little nervous about going forward with the procedure. Root canals don’t have the best reputation, and a lot of people believe that they are very painful. Luckily, root canals are usually painless because dentists use local anesthesia to numb the area during the procedure.

It is important to understand the importance of root canal therapy and how it works. In this blog post, our team at Wetaskiwin Family Dental takes a look at what to expect during your root canal procedure.

How Does Root Canal Therapy Work?

To perform root canal therapy near you, your dentist will take an x-ray to determine if you can benefit from this procedure. They will also lookout for signs of infection that have spread to nearby areas such as the gums and other teeth.

If you are a viable candidate for the procedure, your dentist will begin the treatment. They will begin by isolating the infected tooth by placing a rubber dam around it. Next, they will drill a small access hole into the tooth to access and eliminate the infected pulp. They will then clean the area before sealing it with a temporary dental filling.

You will need to come back to your dental clinic after healing to get the tooth checked and the dental filling replaced with a custom-made dental crown, completing the process and restoring the function and appearance of your tooth.

Understanding Root Canal Pain

As mentioned earlier, there is no pain involved in the root canal procedure itself. However, it is normal to feel some level of discomfort for a few days after your procedure.

Your dentist in Wetaskiwin will provide you with a local anesthetic during your procedure so you do not feel any pain. If you notice any sensitivity or pain during your procedure, let your dentist know so they can take measures to stop the pain.

You should expect some pain after your procedure. Although it may be persistent for a couple of days, the pain won’t be hard to manage and can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen.

You can speak to your dentist near you about their recommendations for over-the-counter painkillers to avoid pain. You can also use cold compresses and stick to a soft food diet for the first while after your root canal.

When to Visit a Dentist

Typically, experiencing pain for a couple of days after a root canal should not be concerning and doesn’t warrant a visit to the dentist. Over-the-counter pain medication should be enough to allow you to cope with the pain until it subsides.

If you notice pain persisting for longer than two weeks or that cannot be alleviated with pain medication, then you should visit your dentist for a checkup. Sometimes complications can occur, and infection can still be present.

If you would like to learn more about root canal therapy and what to expect, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of dental professionals at Wetaskiwin Family Dental. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about this tooth-saving treatment. Please contact us to book your consultation today.

587-316-3149