If you watch television or movies, you may think that a root canal is the worst procedure you can have when going to the dentist.
Hollywood portrays root canal therapy as an incredibly painful procedure. However, a root canal is no worse than any other dental procedure. In fact, a root canal should help eliminate pain rather than cause it.
When you need a root canal, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to your gums. This will completely numb the area before your dentist does any drilling.
Using an anesthetic ensures that you will not feel any pain during the procedure. Therefore, root canal therapy is not a terrible, unbearable process.
What Is a Root Canal?
Your enamel is the whitish outer layer of your teeth. It protects your teeth from bacteria or anything that may hurt the delicate inner portion of your teeth, including the nerves.
However, bacteria, erosion, and trauma can damage the enamel. This allows bacteria to move into the tooth, causing an infection. When bacteria causes a small pit in the enamel, dentists call this a cavity or dental caries.
Typically, your dentist can fix a cavity with a dental filling after they remove the decayed area. Receiving a dental filling is an easy, painless procedure. If you catch a cavity early, you shouldn’t have many complications.
However, it is possible to miss a cavity or wait too late to seek treatment. Sometimes, patients who have dental anxiety avoid going to the dentist even if they are in pain. This is unfortunate for their dental health. Without treatment, a cavity can turn into a major infection.
To remove the infection and save the tooth, your dentist will perform root canal therapy. Without a root canal, your dentist may need to pull or extract the tooth. A root canal removes the infection to save your tooth.
Once they remove the infection, your dentist will use a dental sealant to protect your tooth and avoid further infection.
When Do You Need a Root Canal?
One of the biggest reasons that you may need a root canal is if you have pain that won’t go away. While pain can indicate many dental conditions, deep pain that remains for a long time may need immediate treatment.
You can experience sensitivity for a number of reasons, including recent teeth whitening treatments. However, you should contact your dentist if you have sensitivity to temperatures that do not go away.
When you have an infection, you also have inflammation. If you experience swelling or inflammation in your jaws or gums, you should seek treatment. Swelling can be inflammation, but it can also be pus that hasn’t drained from the infected area.
In addition, an infection can create a pimple on your gums near the infected tooth. This is because it causes pus, which can collect into a pimple or boil. If the pimple bursts, you will taste a sour or very unpleasant taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tooth still get infected after a root canal?
Yes, although rare, a tooth can get reinfected after a root canal. This can happen if bacteria remain hidden in the roots or the crown, or a filling leaks over time. Proper care, regular dental checkups, and good hygiene reduce this risk significantly.
Will I experience pain after the numbness wears off?
You might have some mild discomfort or sensitivity after the numbness fades, but severe pain isn’t normal. Any discomfort usually improves within a day or two and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. If you have intense or lasting pain, contact your dentist.
How do I know if I need a root canal or a filling?
The main difference is how deep the problem goes in your tooth. Fillings treat decay in the outer layers of teeth, while root canals address issues that have reached the inner nerve. Persistent, severe pain, especially in response to temperature changes, often signals you need a root canal. Visible holes or mild, brief sensitivity typically indicate a filling will suffice. Only a dental exam with X-rays can definitively determine which treatment you need, as symptoms sometimes overlap.
Are there alternatives to a root canal?
If the nerve is damaged or infected, alternatives are limited. Extraction (removal) of the tooth is usually the only other option. Extraction typically requires replacement afterward with an implant or bridge to keep your bite healthy and stable.
Can I eat normally after a root canal?
You’ll want to avoid eating until the numbness wears off to prevent biting your cheek or tongue. Once the feeling returns, stick to soft foods for the first day or two. Avoid chewing on the treated side until your dentist places a permanent filling or crown. After the final restoration, you can eat normally again.
How soon should I return to work or school after a root canal?
Most patients can return to work or school the day after a root canal procedure. The local anesthesia wears off completely within a few hours, and any discomfort is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. If you had a significant infection or a complex case, you might need an extra day to rest, but this is uncommon. I recommend scheduling your root canal appointment in the afternoon if possible, giving you the evening to recover before returning to normal activities.