Root canals are sometimes necessary to save an infected tooth. A root canal is a relatively simple procedure that supports your long-term oral health. With the right dental team at your side, you should experience minimal or no root canal treatment pain.
Root Canal Procedure
Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp from inside your tooth. Pulp consists of a combination of nerves and tissues that live within each tooth. If your tooth’s pulp becomes infected, it causes damage to the tooth and necessitates a root canal treatment.
Left unchecked, the infection can spread to other areas in the mouth and abscesses can form along the gumline. Once the infected pulp is cleared, the tooth is filled for structural support and then sealed.
A root canal usually requires at least two visits. Typically, your dentist examines your tooth and assesses the area. This step may involve X-rays to examine the interior of your tooth. Next, you book a follow-up appointment for the procedure.
Before your dentist begins the procedure, they administer local anaesthesia to negate the root canal treatment pain. In-house sedation is also available upon request, which can help further decrease discomfort and ease any dental anxiety you may be experiencing.
The tooth is then sealed, either on the day of the procedure or about a week later, to allow medication for the infection to sit. A temporary or permanent filling is placed inside the tooth.
You will then be booked for a crown to restore the structure, integrity, appearance, and function of your tooth.
Root Canal Pain
Patients who undergo a root canal procedure usually experience minimal discomfort. Several factors contribute to the overall comfort of a procedure.
The root of an infected tooth is usually dead when a root canal is performed. The bacteria associated with the infection have destroyed the nerves, negating most of the sensation your tooth once felt.
Your dentist takes proper precautions to ensure your procedure is as comfortable as possible. A local anaesthetic numbs your mouth to minimise the discomfort of the operation. Beyond 32 Dental also offers patients the option of in-house sedation, which helps you relax during the procedure, enabling your dentist to work efficiently, which results in less time in the dental chair for you.
In-house sedation is not a general anaesthetic, which renders the patient unconscious. Instead, in-house sedation places patients in a relaxed, comfortable state. This method of managing pain is either administered either through a breathing mask or through a cannula attached to the back of the patient’s hand.
Your dentist can also recommend over-the-counter medication to counteract any discomfort you may be feeling after the procedure. Soreness after a root canal is not uncommon and usually only lasts a few days. However, if your discomfort after the procedure is more moderate, your dentist can prescribe you medication.
The Importance of Root Canal Treatments
Putting off a necessary root canal treatment can result in far more discomfort in the long-term than a simple dental procedure.
When your infected tooth’s pulp breaks down, it provides harmful bacteria with a breeding ground. The bacteria and the decaying pulp result in a more serious infection, usually in the form of an abscess. Abscesses form at the ends of the roots at the bottom of the tooth. Abscesses can be extremely painful, contributing to swelling and pressure within the mouth.
This swelling can also spread to the face, neck, and head as a result of the infection. The bacteria can also physically corrode your tooth, resulting in bone loss. If the infection reaches the jawbone, you could find yourself in need of more serious and expensive dental intervention such as extraction and dental implant.
Final Word
Root canals performed in modern dentist practices are usually quite efficient and cause minimal discomfort. If you think you need a root canal, don’t hesitate to get your tooth checked out and fixed.
If you experience pain in a specific tooth, notice abscesses forming along your gums, or have increased tooth sensitivity when eating or exposed to extreme temperatures; you may require a root canal. At Beyond 32 Dental, we offer excellent dental service, including root canal therapy. Visit us online to set up your visit or call us on (02) 9158 6334.
I know root canals get a bad rap because they said to be extremely painful. So, when my dentist told me I would need it, I’m too scared to get it done. But reading from this post, I’m a little relief to see that it will only cause minimal discomfort. Because honestly, I can only bear sitting that long with all the instruments and stuff in my mouth. But extreme pain? No way. Now I guess I’m finally making that appointment with my dentist, thanks to you. Hopefully, the anesthesia will work well.
Although my dentist already told me about the specific mechanisms of a root canal treatment the mention of it still makes me nervous. I mean, it’s a crucial procedure so any pain during or after the treatment is expected to happen. But if there is any pain that is lingering more than necessary, I think we need to take an urgent step that will ensure that the problem is fixed.
Reading about root canal treatment is nowhere on my list of fun things to do. But, since my dentist suggested I need one I thought I should fill myself in on something about it before biting the bullet. After reading this post, I figured I shouldn’t worry one bit. Because just like what it says here, the advances in dental technology have resulted in root canal treatment that is of no more discomfort. Now I don’t see any more reason to delay it. Thank you!
So the bottom line is, a root canal treatment isn’t usually painful, usually”. Therefore, some amount of discomfort can still be there. Or perhaps it’s psychological than physical, so it depends on the patient’s perception too I guess? Either way, I hope a local anesthetic and different injection techniques can take care of the problem. I’m scheduled for a root canal treatment soon and I’m really freaking out. Wish me luck.