Is a Root Canal actually painful?

Root canal therapy is a treatment designed to save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted due to severe damage or infection. If you cringe when you hear the phrase “root canal,” you are not alone. While this treatment was indeed quite painful many years ago, advances in dental anesthetics and technologies have dramatically changed the paradigm – but the notion that it is a painful treatment, unfortunately, continues to persist. 

At Harvest Hills Dental Care in East Gwillimbury, Ontario, we are committed to providing a safe and comfortable experience for every patient when they are in the dental chair. We are here to guide you through your treatment from beginning to end to ensure that you are confident and well-informed about your dental care.

Why root canals are performed

Before diving into what to expect when you’re getting root canal treatment, it’s helpful to understand why one might be needed in the first place. During root canal therapy, the inner contents of the tooth (called the pulp), including the blood vessels and pain-sensing nerves, are removed from the tooth, which is then filled and restored so that it functions like a natural tooth. Rather than being a painful procedure, it actually relieves a tremendous amount of pain and saves you the time and cost of an extraction followed by tooth replacement. Root canals might be recommended for:

• Abscessed teeth
• Decay that has penetrated deeply into the tooth
• Traumatic injuries (sometimes from many years past)
• Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
• Cracked or fractured teeth that have bacterial infiltration

What getting a root canal is really like

Before beginning the root canal procedure, we will first administer a local anesthetic to the area. This completely numbs the tooth and surrounding tissues so that you don’t experience any pain throughout the procedure. In fact, many patients liken the experience to getting a simple dental filling, though it takes a bit longer to complete. 

In the days following your treatment, you may experience mild pain and discomfort. However, most patients can easily manage the pain with over-the-counter medications such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedure, in addition to making the after-care process as easy as possible. 

If you are experiencing tooth pain, seeking rapid dental treatment can make the difference between saving and losing your tooth. Call Harvest Hills Dental Care today at (365) 659-1008!

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