Fort Worth patients ask, “How painful is root canal therapy?”

Root canal therapy is a tooth-saving procedure that relieves pain and restores functionality to a tooth that has extensive decay and infection. Also known as endodontic treatment, root canal therapy often gets a bad reputation for being painful. The good news is that root canals are very similar to a traditional filling. Patients will be numbed with local anesthetic that makes the entire procedure comfortable. Afterward, the effects of the anesthetic can often be felt for a few hours, but sensation will soon return to normal. In our Fort Worth, TX ^⤴ dental clinic, we use root canal therapy only when necessary to save a tooth from extraction.

What is root canal therapy?

Inside every tooth there is an area called the pulp which contains nerve endings and blood vessels. When the pulp becomes infected, it can cause pain and sensitivity. The pulp can become infected for several reasons including decay, tooth fracture, or trauma to the tooth.

During root canal treatment, the pulp is removed, and the root canals are thoroughly cleaned out. The area is then filled, sealed, and covered with a dental crown to protect and strengthen the tooth.

How painful is root canal therapy?

The answer is, it is not painful. Dental analgesics have come a long way, making root canal treatments quick and comfortable. Afterward, some patients may experience slight inflammation or soreness, but this will resolve quickly.

What happens if I don’t receive root canal treatment?

When tooth infection and disease are not treated, it can eventually abscess. This chronic infection can spread to the gum tissue, affecting the health of the gums and bone. Dental abscesses are also known to be extremely painful and can require extraction of the tooth. Root canals allow you to avoid a painful abscess and save the tooth.

Preventing root canal therapy

The best thing you can do to prevent a root canal is to maintain proper at home oral hygiene and regular dental visits. By keeping your teeth clean and catching any signs of decay early, we can treat problems before they necessitate a root canal.