Is a root canal painful?

Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so the procedure itself should not be painful, though you may feel pressure or vibration. The tooth can feel sore or tender for a few days afterwards, usually eased with everyday pain relief. For most people, this is far less painful than the untreated infection that made treatment necessary in the first place.

In short

• Local anaesthetic numbs the tooth and the surrounding area, so you should not feel pain during treatment, though you may feel pressure.
• Some tenderness around the tooth for a few days afterwards is normal and usually responds to over-the-counter pain relief.
• The pain many people associate with root canal treatment is usually the infection itself, felt before treatment begins.
• Tell your dentist straight away if you feel pain during the appointment, since more anaesthetic can usually be given.
• The alternative to root canal treatment is removing the tooth, so treatment aims to relieve the pain and save the tooth at the same time.

This article is part of the root canal treatment information on this site for patients in Cape Town.

What does root canal treatment feel like during the appointment?

Before treatment starts, the tooth and the gum around it are numbed with a local anaesthetic, so you stay awake throughout but should not feel pain in the tooth itself. You may feel pressure, vibration from the instruments, or the sensation of water used to rinse the tooth, which is normal and different from pain. Treatment usually takes more than one appointment, and How long does a root canal take? sets out what to expect from the number and length of visits.

Why does root canal treatment have a reputation for being painful?

Most of the pain people associate with root canal treatment actually comes from the infection that made treatment necessary, not from the treatment itself. An infected or dying pulp, the soft tissue inside a tooth, can cause severe, throbbing pain of the kind described in What can I do about severe toothache at night?. Root canal treatment removes that infected tissue, which is generally what brings the pain to an end rather than what causes it.

What can I expect in the days afterwards?

The area around the tooth may feel swollen, tender or sore for a few days, and this usually settles within about two weeks. Over-the-counter pain relief, taken as the packet directs, generally controls this well. Because treatment aims to save the tooth rather than remove it, Is a root canal better than an extraction? explains how the two options compare. Contact the practice if pain becomes worse rather than better in the days after treatment, or if you notice new swelling.

What if I am anxious about the appointment?

Feeling anxious about a root canal is common, and it does not have to stop you getting the tooth treated. What can I do if I am scared of the dentist? sets out practical steps that can help. She aims to give each appointment the time it needs, and a nervous patient can set the pace.

How do I reach Dr Davies?

Dr Davies treats adults and children at BRS Dental, on Strand Street in the Cape Town city centre, and discusses what a particular tooth needs before recommending root canal treatment. To make an appointment, call her directly on her own mobile, which is shown on this page. This page gives general information and does not replace an examination.