Is Root Canal Therapy Painful? What to Expect During and After Your Treatment

Root canal therapy has been associated with various myths. In most cases, people who think they may need this treatment may worry about the associated pain. Although a person may be worried about undergoing a medical procedure, there is more to understand about this treatment option.

In this blog, you will learn about the root canal procedure, how to address tooth infection concerns, and what you can expect during and after treatment. If you’re in the Crystal Lake, IL area and looking for endodontic treatment, this blog can help make it easier.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy, or endodontic treatment, is a type of dental work that aims to treat the tooth pulp that has developed an infection. Tooth pulp, on the other hand, refers to the soft substance at the core of your tooth that comprises blood vessels and nerves. It can become infected or damaged due to tooth decay or injury.

During this process, your dentist or endodontist will remove the infected tissues from your tooth and seal it to prevent future infection. The aim of this process is to ensure your tooth is preserved and your pain from the infection is alleviated.

Is Root Canal Therapy Painful?

Additionally, one of the most frequent questions patients ask about root canal therapy, is whether they will feel any pain during the procedure. The answer to the question is a firm no! In fact, with modern endodontic treatment procedures performed under local anesthesia, the area around the treated tooth is numbed, preventing the patient from feeling any discomfort or pain during the procedure.

Before the procedure starts, your dentist will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth where the procedure will be performed. You will feel a slight pinch, but it’s only ever so slightly uncomfortable. After that, you will not feel any pain.

Endodontic treatment can even provide relief from pain stemming from the infection of the pulp itself. Indeed, several people have testified that the pain associated with this condition can be alleviated through endodontic treatment.

What to Expect During Root Canal Therapy?

Despite being essentially painless, having an understanding of just how the treatment takes place may help alleviate any anxiety you may feel.

1. Preparing the Tooth: The dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb the area around your tooth. Then, a rubber dam will be placed around the tooth.
2. Accessing the Pulp: To access the infected pulp, a small incision is made at the top of the tooth. This may sound a bit scary, but it is a quick and painless procedure.
3. Cleaning and Shaping: The infected pulp will be extracted from the tooth, and the interior of the tooth will be cleaned. The canals will be shaped in preparation for filling.
4. Filling The Tooth: Once the infection is cleared and the canals have been cleaned and shaped, the tooth is filled with a soft, rubber-like substance known as gutta-percha. 
5. Restoration: The dentist will typically place a temporary filling in the tooth after the endodontic treatment is completed. You would need a follow-up visit to have a permanent crown or filling placed to restore the tooth’s strength and beauty.

How Long Does it Take to Recover?

In most cases, a person can return to their usual activities a day or two after undergoing endodontic treatment. Although there might be a slight pain for a couple of days, the recovery period is relatively short. It all depends on how closely one follows the post-endodontic treatment procedures advised by one’s dentist.

Aftercare: What to Do After Root Canal Therapy?

After completing endodontic treatment, it’s not uncommon to feel some discomfort or sensitivity. This discomfort or sensitivity may result from mild inflammation triggered by the treatment, which should resolve in a matter of days. Over-the-counter pain relievers might be necessary to mitigate any pain felt during this time.

For a healthy post-surgery recovery process, check out the following tips to remember after the procedure:

1. Follow Your Dentist’s Instructions: Your dentist may have specific instructions for you. For example, they may tell you to avoid biting on the treated tooth for a period of time until it heals.
2. Use Pain Relief as Needed: Whatever pain you might feel post-procedure, this pain ought to be minimal. In case you require some pain relief, you can make use of over-the-counter medications.
3. Be Aware of Symptoms of Complications: Although rare, should you feel intense pain or swelling that doesn’t go away, it is always advisable to seek immediate attention from your dentist.
4. Return Visit: After your treatment, you may need a follow-up visit to verify that the tooth is healing properly. You will also have a permanent filling or a dental crown placed in order to protect that tooth from future damage.

Find Your Way to Achieving Healthy Dental Care

One of the most common techniques in dentistry is root canal therapy. Although the procedure may seem frightening in concept, the treatment is, in fact, quite painless. Since the procedure has a short recovery time and relieves the constant toothache associated with root canal conditions, it can definitely benefit a patient’s oral health. 

If you are in the Crystal Lake, IL area and need an endodontic treatment, do not look any further. Call us to schedule a consultation at Kopp Bloom Full General Dentistry. Our team is dedicated to ensuring your dental journey is comfortable and successful.

Questions People Ask About Root Canal Therapy