Root canal therapy, which is sometimes referred to simply as a “root canal,” is infamous. Many individuals believe that it is an extremely painful dental procedure. However, we are here to set the record straight. In truth, root canal therapy is designed to relieve pain and save damaged teeth from extraction. In this blog post, we discuss what you can expect from this treatment and how you can make the process as comfortable as possible.
Ways to Prevent Pain Before Treatment
Many people wait to get root canal therapy until they experience an excruciating toothache. Such a situation is often preventable. If you attend regular oral health checkups, your dentist can spot signs that you need a root canal — perhaps before you are aware there is a problem. Getting the treatment done as soon as possible will allow it to be more conservative and lead to a shorter recovery time.
However, if you do wait until you experience pain to receive root canal therapy, you can minimize your pain prior to your procedure with the help of OTC pain medications. You should also avoid chewing with the affected tooth.
What About Pain During the Procedure?
For most patients, root canal therapy is no more uncomfortable than getting a simple filling. Your dentist will make sure the area is numb, so you may feel some pressure on your tooth, but true pain is highly unlikely. You may even be sedated, so it is possible that you will only be minimally aware of what is happening during your appointment.
Preventing Pain After Treatment
After the numbness and/or sedation from your procedure wears off, your tooth may experience some soreness. OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can help to manage your discomfort. You should also be very gentle with the tooth; do not chew with it. Even when you can use it to eat, avoid hard or crunchy foods until after you receive a crown to protect the treated tooth (if your dentist determines that you require a crown). Within a few days to a week, it is likely that you will be able to resume all of your normal activities.
Questions to Ask Regarding Treatment
You should ask your dentist some specific questions about your situation to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible before, during, and after your root canal therapy. Some examples of questions you can ask include:
- I’m taking some prescription medications. Will they affect my procedure or my recovery?
- What can I do to prevent the need for another root canal treatment in the future?
- What symptoms should I look out for that might indicate a complication? (Complications are rare, but they do occur in some instances.)
There is no need to be afraid that root canal therapy might cause you extreme pain — in fact, it could relieve your pain and play a key role in your long-term oral health!
About the Author
Dr. Angela Santavicca is the lead restorative dentist in our practice. She has been practicing dentistry for over 25 years; her extensive experience equips her to perform root canal therapy and other procedures in a way that is as comfortable as possible. To learn more about Dr. Santavicca, our team, and our services, contact us at 603-643-4142.