Is Root Canal Therapy Painful?

Happy senior woman at the dental clinic

Many people are under the misconception that root canal therapy causes extreme pain. However, despite what you may have heard, the endodontic procedure alleviates pain, not causes it. You will likely leave our office feeling a lot better than you did when you walked in!

Root Canal Therapy – An Overview

Inside every tooth is a space called the pulp chamber that contains blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves. Deep decay, chips, fractures, trauma, or repeated dental procedures can lead to inflamed or infected tooth pulp. Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure that involves removing the damaged tooth pulp, relieving you of pain, and restoring your healthy smile. It is a relatively comfortable treatment, comparable to having a cavity filled.

What Happens if You Do Not Get a Needed Root Canal?

Tooth pulp damage will not heal on its own. Without treatment, the infection may spread to the surrounding gum and jawbone, causing various complications. These include severe pain, an abscess, swelling, fever, and bone loss around the affected tooth’s root. Worse yet, the infection can spread to other areas of the body, causing serious health problems.

The only alternative to root canal therapy is to have the damaged tooth extracted, which should be the last resort. Endodontic treatment can save the tooth, which is always our top priority.

What Are Signs You Require Root Canal Therapy?

Signs you may require a root canal treatment include the following:

  • A chipped or cracked tooth
  • Persistent tooth pain
  • Discomfort when biting down
  • Lingering sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
  • Swelling or tenderness of the gums near the affected tooth
  • Tooth darkening or discoloration with a grayish hue
  • A pimple-like bump on the gums, indicating an abscess
  • Signs of infection, including facial swelling
  • Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth

What Is the Root Canal Procedure?

After taking 3D images and examining the affected tooth, we will numb the area with a local anesthetic and administer dental sedation, if required, for your comfort.

The root canal procedure involves making a small opening in the tooth’s crown to access and remove the damaged pulp. Next is reshaping the root canals, cleaning and sterilizing the area, placing a mediation, then filling the root canals with a biocompatible, rubbery material known as gutta-percha. The last step is sealing the space with a filling material.

After your root canal therapy, you will need to return to your general dentist, who will place a dental crown on the treated tooth to protect it. Root canal therapy has an incredibly high success rate. With proper care, your treated tooth can last a lifetime!

Will You Feel Pain After a Root Canal?

Many patients experience immediate relief after root canal therapy, especially if they have been suffering from severe pain in the days or weeks prior to their appointment. Any minor discomfort can be alleviated using the pain medication we prescribe. Despite the myths and misconceptions about root canal therapy, the procedure is a quick and relatively comfortable way to save natural teeth, preventing them from needing to be removed and replaced.

Root Canal Therapy Near Me

At Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs Endodontics, we recognize that patients are often apprehensive about root canal treatment. We want to reassure you that the simple procedure will relieve your pain and save your damaged tooth, restoring your healthy smile. With our gentle techniques, sedation dentistry options, and state-of-the-art technology, you can count on us for a comfortable and stress-free experience. Call us to schedule your appointment today!