Will Root Canal Therapy be Painful?

Root canal therapy is a treatment for restoring a severely diseased or decayed tooth. The treatment is necessary when a tooth infection goes from being just a toothache into an abscess that spreads through the root of the tooth. One major concern that patients often have is the pain they might experience during the procedure. This article addresses those concerns.
The reason for root canal therapy
If the pulp and nerve tissues inside the tooth get infected, the dentist will recommend root canal therapy to treat the tooth. The fact is that an infected tooth can cause a lot of pain. Patients may experience symptoms such as tooth sensitivity, swelling and pain when chewing or biting. The dentist will clean the insides of the tooth and eliminate the diseased nerve tissues and pulp.
After the dentist removes the infected tissues, patients will no longer have to worry about dealing with the pain and discomfort that accompanies infected pulp or about the infection spreading. Additionally, the treated tooth can last a lifetime, save for injuries or other dental issues, as the dentist will fill the pulp chamber with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.
After the procedure, usually after one or two dental visits, the dentist fully restores the tooth with a crown or filling. The tooth will be back to normal and usable for chewing or biting.
Numbing and medication
Contrary to the misconceptions and myths out there, patients feel little to no pain during the root canal procedure. Before beginning treatment, the dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area to reduce pain sensation. While the notion of undergoing the procedure may seem dreadful, a root canal is a solution to a problem.
For a few days after the procedure, patients may experience some discomfort and sensitivity. The dentist will recommend over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin or prescribe a pain medication to ease the temporary discomfort. If the pain does not diminish after a few days or returns after a few months, the treatment was not successful and the tooth could be reinfected. If this happens, patients need to inform their dentist immediately.
After the treatment, it is important to take excellent care of the oral cavity by brushing and flossing daily. Regular appointments with the dentist are also important to prevent dental issues.
In case there is pain
If the gums are inflamed, it is possible for some discomfort or pain to be present. Although the dentist will remove the infected tooth's nerves during the treatment, there are still nerves in the surrounding tissues, all of which could get swollen and cause pain. Regardless, it is worth noting that any severe pain should not last longer than a few days. Any longer and the dentist needs to know.
In conclusion
Root canal therapy, if done successfully, can help resolve a tooth infection and alleviate tooth pain. There are anesthetic options and techniques available from the general dentist to keep you comfortable throughout the treatment.
Request an appointment here:  https://drdelucia.com or call Anthony DeLucia D.D.S., P.A. at (772) 492-7045 for an appointment in our Stuart office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Related Posts
Preventative dental care such as visiting the dentist is a huge cause of anxiety and stress in many patients. The thought of being in the examination chair and hearing the tools and possible irritation of your teeth and gums can be quite upsetting. However, going to the dentist regularly will eliminate those concerns as you…
Preventative dental care is important for optimal oral health. It prevents bad breath, oral disease, tooth loss, among others.The enamel is the outermost part of the tooth. It is a white visible part above the gum. It is the part seen when you smile. The enamel is also the strongest layer of the tooth. It…
Preventative dental care is essential for your oral health. If you have never been to the dentist, it can be hard to know what to do. Let's go over some of the best practices for diet and nutrition that you need to keep your teeth healthy and strong, so that not only are they easier…
Preventative dental care is essential for a healthy mouth. The health of a person's teeth and gums says a lot about their overall health. Regular dental checkups and a proper oral hygiene routine are two of the best things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.Oral health will also aid in preventing…