Is Root Canal Treatment a Painless Procedure?

IS ROOT CANAL TREATMENT A PAINLESS PROCEDURE?

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. The term "root canal" comes from cleaning of the canals inside a tooth's root. Decades ago, root canal treatments often were painful

Does a root canal hurt? A root canal procedure sounds scary, but with today's technology, it's typically not a whole lot more different than having a deep filling. There's little to no pain because your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb your tooth and gums so you're comfortable during the procedure.

During a root canal procedure, your dentist will:

• extract bacteria and decay from the tooth pulp, root, and nerve
• disinfect the area with antibiotics
• fill the empty roots
• seal the area to prevent new decay

 

A root canal can be done by a specialist known as an endodontist.

The root canal treatment leaves your natural tooth in place and prevents further decay. But it makes the tooth more fragile. That’s why a tooth that’s had a root canal is often covered with a crown.

Fast facts about root canals

• According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), more than 15 million root canals are performed each year in the United States.
• More than 41,000 root canals are performed each day, according to the AAE.
• Root canal procedures are commonly thought to be the most painful kind of dental treatment, but studies found that only 17 percent of people who’ve had a root canal described it as their “most painful dental experience.”
• A 2016 study found that root canal symptoms varied depending on the type of bacteria in the infection.

 

Root canal symptoms

The only way to know for sure if you need a root canal is by paying a visit to your dentist. But there are several warning signs to be on the lookout for.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner your tooth can be treated, the better the outcome will likely be.

1. Persistent pain

Persistent tooth pain is one of the signs that you may need a root canal. The pain in your tooth might bother you all the time, or it might go away from time to time but always return.

You may feel the pain deep in the bone of your tooth. Or you may feel referred pain in your face, jaw, or in your other teeth.

Tooth pain may have other causes besides root canal. Some other possibilities include:

• gum disease
• a cavity
• referred pain from a sinus infection or another problem
• a damaged filling
• an impacted tooth that may be infected

No matter what the cause, it’s a good idea to see your dentist if you have tooth pain, especially if the pain is persistent. Early diagnosis and treatment for tooth pain typically leads to a better outcome.

2. Sensitivity to heat and cold

Does your tooth hurt when you eat warm food or when you drink a cup of coffee? Or perhaps your tooth feels sensitive when you eat ice cream or drink an icy-cold glass of water.

The sensitivity could feel like a dull ache or a sharp pain. You may need a root canal if this pain lingers for an extended period of time, even when you stop eating or drinking.

If your tooth hurts when you eat or drink something hot or cold, it may be an indication that the blood vessels and nerves in your tooth are infected or damaged.

3. Tooth discoloration

An infection in the pulp of your tooth can cause your tooth to become discolored.

Trauma to the tooth or the breakdown of the internal tissue can damage the roots and give the tooth a grayish-black appearance.

Although tooth discoloration can have other causes, it’s always a good idea to see your dentist if you notice that a tooth is changing color.

3. Swollen gums

 

Swollen gums near the painful tooth can be a sign of an issue that requires a root canal. The swelling may come and go. It may be tender when you touch it, or it may not be painful to the touch.

You may also have a little pimple on your gum. This is called a gum boil, parulis, or abscess.

The pimple may ooze pus from the infection in the tooth. This can give you an unpleasant taste in your mouth and make your breath smell bad.

5. Pain when you eat or touch the tooth

If your tooth is sensitive when you touch it or when you eat, it could indicate severe tooth decay or nerve damage, which may need to be treated with a root canal. This is especially the case if the sensitivity persists over time and doesn’t go away when you stop eating.

6. A chipped or cracked tooth

If you’ve chipped or cracked your tooth in an accident, in a contact sport, or by chewing on something hard, bacteria can set in and lead to inflammation and infection.

Even if you injure a tooth, but it doesn’t chip or crack, the injury may still damage the nerves of the tooth. The nerve can become inflamed and cause pain and sensitivity, which may require root canal treatment.

7. Tooth mobility

When your tooth is infected, it may feel looser.

If more than one tooth feels loose, the mobility is likely to have a cause other than an issue that may need a root canal.

Does a root canal hurt?

A root canal procedure sounds scary, but with today’s technology, it’s typically not a whole lot more different than having a deep filling. There’s little to no pain because your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb your tooth and gums so you’re comfortable during the procedure.

If you need a root canal and have facial swelling or a fever, your dentist may give you antibiotics beforehand to kill the infection. This may also help reduce your pain.

The root canal procedure itself is similar to getting a large filling, but it’ll take longer. Your mouth will be numbed while the dentist cleans out the decay, disinfects the roots, and then fills them in.

Your dentist will use a rubber dam around the root canal tooth. This will help prevent any infected material from spreading to the rest of your mouth.

Your mouth may feel sore or tender after the root canal. Your dentist may suggest that you take an over-the-counter pain medication.

A 2011 review of 72 studies of root canal patients looked at pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment pain.

The analysis found that pre-treatment pain was high, but dropped moderately within a day of treatment, and then dropped substantially to minimal levels within a week.