The question I am asked most often is whether root canal treatment hurts - and the honest answer is a reassuring one. Carried out under local anaesthetic, modern root canal treatment feels much like having a filling for most people, and the treatment relieves the toothache that brought you in.
Root canal treatment is done with the tooth fully numbed, so you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the procedure itself. In fact, most people come in with toothache - from an infected or inflamed nerve - and the treatment is what resolves the toothache. What people remember about root canals is almost always how the tooth felt beforehand, not the treatment.
The reputation is decades out of date. Years ago treatment could be slow and less predictable, and the memory that stuck was the toothache people arrived with. Today, with better anaesthetic, magnification and 3D imaging, treatment is gentler and far more predictable - much closer to a routine filling than most people expect.
Once the area is numb, you’ll feel some pressure and vibration at times, but no discomfort. Treatment is carried out under a dental operating microscope, so I can work precisely and efficiently, and most cases are completed in a single visit. You’re welcome to ask for a break at any point.
It’s normal for the tooth and gum to feel a little tender for a few days as things settle, especially if there was infection to begin with. That tenderness is usually mild and eases with ordinary over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as directed. I’ll always explain what to expect before you leave, and how to reach me if you have any concerns.
Feeling anxious is completely understandable, and helping people through that anxiety is a big part of what I do - with a calm, unhurried approach and as many breaks as you need. For those who prefer, intravenous (IV) sedation can be arranged, provided by Dr Damien Reilly, Consultant in Special Care Dentistry, leaving you relaxed and comfortable throughout. You can read more on my page for nervous patients.
If you’re putting off treatment because you’re worried the treatment will hurt, please don’t let that stop you being seen - the toothache you’re living with is usually the very thing root canal treatment resolves. If you’d like an honest assessment of your tooth and your options, get in touch.
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