Is a Root Canal Treatment Painful?
Root canal therapy saves millions of infected teeth each year, restoring their health and function. However, it continues to be one of the most feared dental procedures. The good news is that phenomenal advances in endodontic technology and dental anesthetics allow for virtually pain-free root canal treatments, comparable to having cavities filled. Dr. Nallasamy and her team at Heather Ridge Laser Dentistry are committed to ensuring your time with us is comfortable and free of stress.
Why Would You Need a Root Canal Treatment?
Inside every one of your teeth is a cavity called the pulp chamber, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Root canal therapy is an endodontic treatment that helps save teeth with inflamed or infected pulp, usually resulting from deep decay, fractures, or dental trauma.
If not treated, tooth pulp infection will progress, often leading to complications, including an abscess, bone loss around the tooth roots, or facial swelling. Even worse, the infection can enter the bloodstream, putting your health at risk. The only alternative to a needed root canal is a tooth extraction, which is the last resort. Saving the affected tooth is always our top priority!
What Are Warning Signs of Tooth Pulp Infection?
Signs of tooth pulp damage include persistent tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, gum swelling, and tooth discoloration. At times, tooth pulp infection may not produce any signs or symptoms, which is why it’s important to keep up with your routine dental exams and cleanings every six months. Dr. Nallasamy will monitor your oral health and treat any problems as they arise, ensuring your smile stays healthy and sound.
How Painful Is Root Canal Therapy?
Before starting your endodontic treatment, we will numb the infected tooth and surrounding area with the help of a local anesthetic to ensure you are comfortable during treatment. You may feel some pressure, but you should not feel pain.
Your root canal procedure involves removing the infected pulp, disinfecting the area, and filling the root canals with a rubbery, biocompatible material known as gutta-percha. Next is sealing the space and placing a temporary filling. After your root canal, you will need a dental crown to protect the treated tooth.
Root canals relieve pain rather than causing it and save your natural teeth, restoring your healthy smile. They have an incredibly high success rate, and with good oral hygiene and regular dental exams and cleanings, a root canal-treated tooth can last a lifetime!
Will You Feel Pain After Root Canal Therapy?
After treatment, your local anesthetic will begin to wear off. You may feel mild pain or sensitivity for a few days, which can be relieved using over-the-counter pain medication. The discomfort some patients experience is negligible compared to the intense pain that can result from untreated tooth pulp damage.
In the rare event that you have increased pain after your root canal, please contact our office for guidance.
Root Canal Therapy Near Me in Gurnee, IL
Contact Heather Ridge Laser Dentistry to learn more about saving an infected tooth with the help of root canal therapy. Dr. Nallasamy and her dedicated team are committed to offering comfortable, stress-free dental care you can trust. We invite you to call us at 847-356-2336 to schedule your appointment or request a consultation online today.