Finally, the Truth: Are Root Canals Painful?

Root canals are some of the most dreaded dental procedures there are, with some patients cringing at the mere mention of the phrase.

Somehow, there’s this idea that root canals are painful treatments doled out by unkind dentists looking to make a quick buck. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Not only are root canals completely painless, but they serve a very important role in oral healthcare. If you want to know a little bit more about what that role is, here’s a guide that may be able to help you.

Are Root Canals Painful?

As was mentioned before, the rumors about the pain involved in root canal treatment are greatly exaggerated. This may come from an outdated understanding of the procedure; root canals certainly used to be painful, but that’s never the case nowadays.

The difference is that the anesthetics used in dentistry now are much more powerful than they used to be. Within seconds your dentist can numb your mouth completely, so much so that you may be able to close your eyes and not even know that a procedure was happening.

Is Aftercare Uncomfortable?

You may also be concerned about the aftermath of the procedure. Root canals involve opening up the tooth so that the dentist can get at the pulp within, and the resulting hole is usually too big to be repaired with a filling. As a result, dentists will nearly always finish up a root canal procedure with a dental crown on the afflicted tooth.

After receiving a dental crown you may experience some mild sensitivity for a few days, but it shouldn’t be anything that over-the-counter pain medications can’t deal with.

Why are Root Canals Important?

It’s crucial to clear up misunderstandings about root canal procedures because the treatment itself is so important. Root canals allow dentists to remove infected tissue deep within the tooth. Oftentimes, a tooth that has been infected to this extent only has one other option: extraction. In many cases, root canals are the last thing dentists can do to save a tooth on the verge of death

With that in mind, root canals deserve credit for being a  painless alternative to losing a tooth that’s on the brink of failing. If your dentist says you can get one, treat that as something to be thankful for; the alternatives are usually much worse.

About the Author

At Murphy Family Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe that a great smile starts with education. That’s why we’ll make an effort to form a relationship with you as an individual, understand your dental needs, and help you to take charge of your oral health. We also know that seeing the dentist isn’t easy for some people, which is why we work incredibly hard to put every patient who steps into our office at ease.

If you have any questions about root canals, we can be reached at our website or by phone at  (972) 516-2928.