If you’ve been told you need a root canal, your first question might be: does a root canal hurt? It’s a common concern and a perfectly valid one. After all, any dental procedure that involves drilling deep into the tooth can sound intimidating. But thanks to modern techniques and significant advancements in dental care, root canal treatments are now more comfortable than ever.
In this guide, we’ll explain what happens during a root canal, when it’s necessary, and how much discomfort you might experience. We’ll also look at how you can recover smoothly and maintain your oral health.
When Is a Root Canal Needed and Why?
A root canal is often necessary when a tooth infection spreads into the dental pulp, the core soft tissue made up of nerves, vessels, and connective structures. Deep decay, cracks, injury, or repeated treatments may lead to pulp inflammation or infection as a result of deep decay, fractures, injury, or multiple dental treatments affecting the same tooth. When pulp infection goes unaddressed, it may result in intense pain, abscess formation, or risk to adjacent teeth and bone. Root canal treatment aims to eliminate the infected pulp, disinfect the canal system, and seal it off to avoid reinfection, preserving the tooth.
Signs That Could Indicate You Need a Root Canal.
You might need a root canal if you experience any of the following signs:
- Ongoing or pulsating discomfort centred on one particular tooth.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the source is removed
- Swelling or tenderness in nearby soft tissue
- A loose tooth without apparent trauma
- A darker colour on the affected tooth
- A small, raised spot on the gums that could ooze pus, indicating an underlying infection.
Your dentist will usually confirm the need for a root canal using X-rays and a physical exam.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
Let’s tackle the big question: Does a root canal hurt?
The short answer is that many people experience just slight discomfort both during and following the treatment, and often find the procedure more tolerable than the intense pain they may have felt beforehand.
During the root canal procedure, to ensure you’re comfortable, your dentist will numb the surrounding region and the affected tooth with a local anaesthetic. This helps reduce discomfort during the procedure. You might feel some pressure, but it’s generally manageable.
In fact, the perception that root canals hurt likely comes from earlier times when pain management was less effective. Thanks to improved techniques, materials, and sedation options, root canal treatments today are considered routine and safe.
What Happens During the Root Canal Procedure?
The root canal treatment is a form of endodontic therapy, and it typically takes one or two appointments, depending on the severity of the infection.
Here’s what happens step-by-step:
- Numbing the area: Your dentist administers a local anaesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable.
- Isolating the tooth: A dental dam is placed around the treated tooth to keep it dry and bacteria-free.
- Removing the infected tissue: The dentist drills an opening and removes the infected pulp from the root canals.
- Using precise tools, the dentist cleans out the canals, shapes them, and disinfects the area thoroughly.
- Filling the space: The empty canals are filled with a rubbery material called gutta-percha to seal them.
- The access point is sealed using either a temporary or long-lasting filling.
- To complete the process, a dental crown is often added afterwards to strengthen the tooth and restore function.
What About After the Procedure? Is It Painful?
You may experience some mild discomfort for a few days after the root canal, especially when chewing or touching the treated tooth. This is your body’s normal response to inflammation or irritation from the procedure.
Most of the time, this soreness can be eased using over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. Your dentist may also suggest:
- Avoiding hard or chewy foods for a few days
- Sticking to soft foods like mashed potatoes, yoghurt, and soups
- Using a cold compress to ease swelling
- Use any antibiotics prescribed by your dentist in cases of more serious infection.
Should discomfort continue or become more intense, get in touch with your dentist promptly. This could signal a complication or the need for further treatment.
Why You Shouldn’t Avoid a Root Canal
Avoiding or delaying a root canal due to fear can backfire. An infected tooth won’t heal on its own, and neglecting it can lead to:
- A spread of infection to other teeth or jawbone
- Permanent damage to nearby tissues
- Loss of the natural tooth, which may require extraction and replacement
- Chronic discomfort or ongoing pain
The purpose of root canal therapy is to keep your teeth intact, protect oral health, and prevent future complications.
Myths About Root Canals
Let’s clear up a few common misconceptions:
- Myth: Root canals are extremely painful.
- Fact: With a skilled dentist and modern local anaesthetic, most root canal procedures are no more uncomfortable than a regular filling.
- Myth: It’s better to just extract the tooth.
- Fact: Whenever possible, preserving your natural tooth is better for function and aesthetics. Extractions often require more complex and costly replacements.
- Myth: You don’t need a crown after a root canal.
- Fact: A dental crown helps protect the treated tooth, especially molars that absorb a lot of bite force.
How to Manage Discomfort and Support Healing
While most patients recover well, here’s how to ensure your healing process stays on track:
- Take medication as prescribed
- Stick to softer meals and try not to chew with the tooth that was treated.
- Practise good oral hygiene, but be gentle around the affected tooth
- Avoid smoking, which can delay healing
- Keep up with follow-up visits so your dentist can track your healing and address any issues.
Final Thoughts: Should You Be Worried?
So, is a root canal painful? While you may feel some tenderness afterwards, the procedure itself is not nearly as uncomfortable as many fear. In fact, it often brings relief from the severe pain caused by an infected pulp or tooth infection.
With the help of local anaesthetic, proper care, and a qualified dentist, root canals are a reliable and effective option for treating significant dental problems while maintaining your overall oral health. If you’re worried about whether a canal hurts, rest assured that the discomfort is usually short-lived and minor compared to the long-term benefits of keeping your natural tooth.
If you’re concerned about lingering tooth pain or want to avoid complications from a possible infection, book a consultation with us at Infinity Dental Care or call (02) 9159 6237. Your comfort and long-term oral health matter. And we’re here to help preserve your natural smile.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Resources:
Stang, D. (2018). ‘Root Canal’. Healthline, 25 May. San Francisco, CA: Healthline Media.
https://www.healthline.com/health/root-canal
WebMD Editorial Contributor. (2023). ‘What to Know About Tooth Decay Stages’. WebMD, 6 September. New York, NY: WebMD LLC.
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/what-to-know-tooth-decay-stages
WebMD Editorial Contributors. (2024). ‘Dental Crowns’. WebMD, 15 October. New York, NY: WebMD LLC.
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-crowns