Root canal therapy is often played up as an extremely painful procedure in movies and on television. As such, many people are frightened of the procedure and may even try to avoid it. But are root canals painful, or is that just a myth? Plenty of dental procedures cause some level of discomfort, but managing the pain is often easier than you might think. Your endodontist can help you fully understand what you can expect during and after your root canal?
Will Root Canal Therapy Hurt?
The idea that root canal therapy causes a lot of pain is outdated. Today, a local anesthesia is used to numb the tooth being treated as well as the gums. That way, you won’t feel anything during the procedure. Some people believe having the tooth removed altogether might be more comfortable, but in reality, people who get root canal therapy are six times more likely to describe their experience as painless compared to those who undergo tooth extraction.
How Much Pain is Normal After Root Canal Therapy?
Much of the pain caused by infection before your root canal will diminish after the procedure, but you’ll still experience some soreness and tenderness. You might also have a sore jaw after holding your mouth open for so long. The discomfort will only be mild or moderate, and you can take care of your mouth by avoiding hard or crunchy foods during your recovery. You can also take pain medication if you need to. Sometimes the effects of the local anesthetic will linger for a while after the root canal is complete; until it does, try to avoid eating so that you don’t bite your inner cheek or tongue by accident.
How Much Pain is a Problem?
Not all post-root canal pain is normal. You should call your endodontist immediately if:
- The pain is so severe that you are unable to keep up with your regular daily routine.
- The pain does not go away after a designated period of time.
- The pain grows worse instead of getting better as the days pass.
- You develop a fever or notice swelling near the area where pain is occurring.
The above issues can indicate that a complication such as an infection has occurred. A retreatment might be necessary to stop the pain, but you need to act quickly if you don’t want to end up losing the tooth.
If you’re still nervous before your root canal therapy, talk to your endodontist. They can take additional steps to help you stay comfortable and answer your questions so that you know for certain that you have nothing to fear from the procedure.
About the Practice
Here at Worcester Endodontics, we have three highly trained endodontists who are passionate when it comes to helping patients stop their pain and save their natural smiles. Our office is equipped with the latest technology to make root canal therapy and endodontic retreatments as comfortable as possible. If you have concerns about an upcoming endodontic procedure, get in touch with us today through our website or by calling (508) 755-3636.