Are Root Canals Painful?

If you have noticed pain in your tooth that is becoming more severe, there is a chance that you have a cavity or worse—an infection of the pulp in the roots of your tooth. If this is the case, root canal therapy will need to be performed to save your healthy tooth, and prevent the infection from spreading.

The Roots of Your Tooth

There are different parts of a tooth, including the enamel, dentin and pulp. The pulp extends from the crown to the roots of the tooth, with a major portion of it located in the roots. When the pulp in the tooth becomes inflamed and infected, it can cause major pain in the area. Because of the discomfort this causes, as well as the potential for the spreading of the infection, the roots need to be cleared of all infection. In order to do this, a patient will need what is known as a “root canal.”

Why Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy (also known as a “root canal”) will help to remove the infection from a tooth—sparing you from needing to have that tooth pulled. While the tooth may need a lot of work, your dentist would rather maintain as much of your healthy tooth as possible. Extraction is generally only a last case scenario. In order to save the tooth, they will drill through the crown, and expose the roots of the tooth. They will then remove the infection, and fill the canals. From there, they will restore the tooth, like they would if they were filling a cavity.

Is It Painful?

When people hear the term “root canal,” they have a tendency to squirm. This is because the procedure has a reputation for being painful. In reality, anesthesia will be used during the procedure, and most patients feel little pain. If the infection is not treated, though, a patient will likely feel increasingly more pain, pressure and discomfort. Many patients with untreated root pulp infections experience:

• Pain while chewing or biting down.
• Discomfort and sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods.
• Changes in the coloration of the tooth.
• Ongoing pain that continues to get worse.

It’s also important to consider the alternative to having an infected pulp treated—which is extraction. Having a tooth pulled can be costly, as can procedures to replace the tooth that will be missing. To avoid a full tooth replacement, make sure to have the root canal therapy procedure completed as soon as possible.

Speak with Your Dentist

While you may not be able to tell what exactly is wrong with your tooth, you’ll likely know if you have an infection in the pulp—as it will be painful and uncomfortable. If your tooth isn’t feeling the way it should, make sure to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. By performing root canal therapy, they may be able to save your natural tooth before it is too late.

Inquire about root canals at Iowa Dental Group today.

Interested in learning more about root canals? Read More : What is the Root Canal Procedure?