The surprising truth about root canals is that in general, they should not be painful at all. A root canal appointment can often conjure up feelings of dental anxiety.
What is it about root canal treatment/therapy (RCT) that causes this trepidation?
It usually comes from the fact that so many of us have heard horror stories from friends and family members about how painful this procedure is. It can also come from not fully understanding the root canal process.
Some people though, seem to have no problem with this sort of treatment. In fact, they go into the appointment experiencing discomfort and feel a sense of relief after the RCT is complete. That’s not to say that some people haven’t experienced pain when they undergo the procedure.
For those patients who do experience pain, this could be partly because the infection in the root of the tooth is causing inflammation. When the tooth is inflamed, it can take longer for anesthesia to take effect. This situation might also indicate the need for more doses of anesthetic.
Typically, if there’s an active infection, the dentist will also prescribe antibiotics prior to dental treatment. This will reduce the inflammation due to the infection, thereby making the procedure much more tolerable.
Combining antibiotics and anesthesia can be effective in preventing discomfort during a root canal treatment. Sometimes, though, our patients show no signs of infections. Instead, they need a root canal because the nerve of their tooth is dead.
Will they experience pain during an RCT?
When the nerve is dead, there’s nothing to feel (unless the tooth has become infected). The only sort of discomfort you might feel in this instance is jaw fatigue from holding your mouth open.
Dr. Jay Patel: "My goal today is to ease your mind about root canal treatment so as to reduce your anxiety during dental treatment. To that end, I’d like to explain what a root canal is and what you can expect when you get one from our dental office in Seton.
The first thing I’ll do is numb the tooth. I’ll make sure to give the tooth sufficient time to react to the anesthesia, especially if there’s an infection. Then, I’ll remove any decay or filling material in the tooth.
In order to get to the root of the teeth, I need to make an access line (or lines if the tooth has multiple roots, as is the case with molars). This line will go from the crown of the tooth, through the dentin, and finally into the root.
The root contains nerve tissue and blood vessels. I clean this out before filling in the empty space with a material called gutta percha. Filling the canals of the root can prevent further decay and/or infection down the road. It also adds some stability to the roots.
After this appointment, you’ll likely need to come back for a crown preparation appointment.
Now that you understand what happens during an RCT appointment, do you feel less apprehensive? What if you still experience anxiety?
We can help you with that! If you’re experiencing a lot of anxiety when you come into my office, we can discuss various options. We want to do all we can to make your visit to our office a comfortable one.
Talk to your dentist ASAP if you experience any sort of dental pain. Does dental pain automatically mean you need a root canal treatment?
Not at all. As a matter of fact, there are numerous reasons why someone experiences dental discomfort.
The reasons include:
I find that a lot of people start out experiencing a little discomfort but hold off on seeing a dentist until they’re in terrible pain. This is typically due to anxiety, the fear of needing dental treatment, and the pain that could result from it - because they keep wondering, “Are root canals painful?”
However, it’s important to remember that dental procedures will, ultimately, provide you with relief from pain. And if we can get to the problem in the early stages, we can save you a lot of discomfort in the long run. So, if you experience any sort of dental soreness, don’t wait – make an appointment to have the issue examined right away.
Seeing a dentist regularly is one step you can take to prevent dental pain. Contact my office to schedule an appointment for an exam and cleaning!"
Dr. Jay Patel, DDS – Dentist in Calgary SE
In pain? Take action immediately. Outdoor Dental will:
When you have a tooth that is infected or badly decayed, it’s important to fix it right a way. Outdoor Dental in Seton, Calgary SE can help you with a safe root canal procedure that will fix the problem, stop the pain, and get your oral health back to normal.
Root canals are a necessary procedure when a tooth has decayed to the point where the nerve is infected or the pulp (a soft area located in the center of the tooth) is damaged. Without treatment, the pulp or nerve tissue will break down, which will cause bacteria to build up in the pulp chamber. These bacteria can cause infection, an abscess, swelling, or even bone loss at the tooth’s root tip.
Outdoor Dental is here for your entire family’s oral health. Our approach to your overall wellness your dental care provider will make you feel good about your mouth and smile. With us, a root canal in Calgary SE doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking procedure.
