Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthesia. Most patients feel no pain during the procedure, only pressure and the vibration of the instruments. The tooth may feel mildly tender for a few days afterwards. This is a normal part of healing and usually settles on its own. Below we explain the stages of treatment, when discomfort can be expected and when you should call your dentist.
Why Is Root Canal Treatment Done?
Inside each tooth, within the root canals, there is soft tissue made of nerves and blood vessels (the pulp). When deep decay, a fracture or a knock reaches this tissue, it becomes inflamed or infected. In root canal treatment the tissue is removed, the canals are shaped and disinfected, and then sealed with a special filling material. The aim is to keep the tooth instead of extracting it.
Patients usually come for root canal treatment with these complaints:
- Aching that starts with hot or cold and lingers,
- Throbbing pain that starts on its own, especially at night,
- Pain when biting or chewing,
- Swelling or a small pimple-like bump on the gum (a fistula).
Sometimes there are no symptoms at all, and an infection at the root tip is seen on an X-ray taken at a routine check-up.
What Do You Feel During the Procedure?
Before the procedure starts, the tooth and the surrounding area are numbed with local anaesthesia. Once the area is numb, you should not feel pain. While the canals are being cleaned you may feel pressure, water and the vibration of the instruments. A thin rubber sheet placed around the tooth (rubber dam) keeps saliva away from the tooth and stops water or medicaments from getting into your mouth.
The only situation in which pain may be felt is when the tooth is very severely inflamed. Anaesthesia works less well in inflamed tissue. In that case additional anaesthesia is given. If necessary, the first visit is used only to relieve the inflammation; medication is placed in the canal and the treatment is completed once the tooth has settled. If you feel anything during the procedure, simply raise your hand. The dentist will stop and give more anaesthetic.
How Long Does Root Canal Treatment Take?
It depends on how many canals the tooth has and on the infection. Front teeth usually have one canal, premolars one or two, and molars three or four. In a tooth without infection, treatment can often be completed in a single visit of about 45-90 minutes. If there is inflammation at the root tip or the canals are very curved, treatment may be split into two or more visits. Between visits, medication is placed in the canal and the tooth is closed with a temporary filling.
Is There Pain After Root Canal Treatment?
Once the numbness wears off, it is normal for the tooth to feel slightly tender or uncomfortable when you bite. This usually eases within 2-3 days and occasionally lasts up to a week. The painkillers your dentist recommends are usually enough.
Call your clinic without waiting if:
- The pain is getting worse rather than better over the days,
- Swelling develops in your face or gum,
- You have a fever,
- The temporary filling has come out, or the tooth feels "high" when you bite.
What Should You Pay Attention to Afterwards?
- Do not eat until the numbness wears off (about 2-3 hours). You could bite your lip or cheek without noticing.
- Avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth until the permanent filling or crown is placed. Root-treated teeth, especially molars, are more likely to fracture.
- After root canal treatment on a back tooth, a crown is often recommended to protect it. What is done depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains.
- Keep brushing and flossing as usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hurts more, a root canal or a filling?
When both are done under local anaesthesia, no pain is felt. A root canal takes longer, so keeping your mouth open for a long time can be tiring. Sensitivity afterwards may also be a little more noticeable than after a filling.
Why does a root-treated tooth no longer feel hot or cold?
Because the nerve tissue inside the tooth has been removed. This is normal. The tooth continues to function thanks to the bone and gum around it.
Is root canal treatment permanent?
With a well-performed root canal and a sound filling or crown on top, the tooth can be used for many years. If new decay develops or the filling leaks, the root canal treatment may need to be redone. Regular check-ups reduce this risk.
Can root canal treatment be done during pregnancy?
Yes, when it is needed. The second trimester is usually the most suitable time. Always tell your dentist that you are pregnant so that the anaesthetic and X-rays can be planned accordingly.
Whether your tooth needs root canal treatment can only be determined with an examination and X-ray. For the stages of treatment see our root canal treatment page, and for fees in the TDB tariff see our root canal fees article. To book an examination at our clinic in Güvenevler, Çankaya, call +90 540 640 6006.
This article is for general information only. Diagnosis and treatment decisions are made by your dentist after an examination.
