So, you’ve got a cavity and are in need of a root canal treatment. But the thought of a dentist poking inside your already tender teeth, makes you nervous. You’re wondering whether or not is root canal painful. And how to receive painless root canal treatment in Dhaka?
Root canal treatment is usually pain free. You might feel some discomfort during and after the procedure for a few days. But you won’t experience much pain.
In this article, we delve into how much pain or discomfort you can expect during a root canal treatment, in which scenarios you could experience some pain and how we at Lumika Dental provide a completely painless root canal treatment procedure.
Does Root Canal Treatment Cause Pain?
No. During 90% of root canal procedures, our patients feel no pain. In fact, most people experience no or reduced cavity pain after the first visit.
Before we start a root canal procedure, we provide adequate local anesthesia to the patient. As a result, patients do not feel a thing during the whole root canal procedure.
In fact, we even provide topical anesthesia before applying the local anesthetics so you don’t feel the needle as well. This way, we can provide a 100% painless experience for our patients.
Very few patients experience some tenderness after the anesthesia wears off. But it is normal and usually gets better within a few days after the treatment. We will provide you with pain relief medicine to help you cope with this discomfort till you are completely healed.
Remember, root canal treatment is a surgical procedure. And just like any other surgical procedure, you could experience some discomfort during and after the treatment.
Causes for Pain After Root Canal Treatment
In some scenarios, patients could experience pain during a root canal procedure. Here are some of the most common ones.
Post-Treatment Inflammation (Normal)
During a root canal procedure, the surrounding tissues of your tooth may experience some pressure or tension. This pressure can sometimes cause mild pain in the tooth. Some discomfort or pain may be felt during the treatment and even for 5 to 7 days afterwards.
However, this pain usually remains within tolerable limits, and your dentist will prescribe medications to relieve it.
Root Canal Medicine Leaking Outside the Tooth
During a root canal, we use saline, sodium hypochlorite, and other medications to remove infected tissue, bacteria, and other organic and inorganic matter from inside the tooth. In some cases, these substances can leak into the periodontal ligament space outside the tooth, which may cause intense pain.
To prevent this, at Lumika Dental, we use specially designed irrigation needles and take multiple digital X-rays during the procedure.
Over or Under-Instrumentation
The goal during a root canal treatment is to clean out the full length of the tooth’s roots. At our clinic, we typically take at least three digital X-rays-sometimes more-during each root canal procedure to measure the tooth accurately.
However, in many cases, other dentists may not take enough X-rays. Some patients also feel uncomfortable if asked to take multiple X-rays due to the added costs over the already expensive root canal treatment cost in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
If accurate measurements aren’t taken, the instruments used in the procedure can extend beyond the tooth, irritating the surrounding tissues and causing pain.
Also, if the root canal instruments do not reach the full length of the tooth, some pulp, debris, or infection may remain, leading to pain later on.
So, whenever you undergo a root canal treatment, request your dentist to take at least one X-ray at the beginning, during, and after the treatment.
At Lumika Dental, we provide advanced X-ray and RVG imaging services for patient convenience, which allow us to take X-rays within seconds and deliver the best possible care.
We also offer an RCT X-Ray package in which our patients can only pay for 3 X-Rays upfront for an RCT. If more X-rays are needed during the treatment, we do not charge patients for them.
Excessive Temporary Filling
Usually, a root canal requires 3 to 5 clinic visits. During the intervals between visits, a temporary filling is placed to prevent bacteria or food particles from entering the tooth.
However, sometimes the filling may be placed slightly higher by mistake. As a result, when you bite down, the treated tooth may make contact earlier than the others, causing discomfort.
If you notice that your treated tooth is making contact unusually early when biting, immediately inform your dentist. They will adjust the height of the temporary filling, which should relieve the pain.
Calcium Dressing
To completely disinfect your tooth and the surrounding tissues, your dentist may apply a calcium hydroxide dressing. It can significantly increase the treatment’s success rate. If you have a periapical infection, calcium dressing is especially important.
If a large amount of calcium leaks outside from the tooth, you may feel some pain for 5 to 7 days. But there’s no need to worry- it will gradually subside over time.
Ending Treatment Before Healing Is Complete
It’s important to remember that a root canal treatment should not be completed until pain, pus discharge, or bleeding from the tooth has fully stopped.
If your treatment is finished before the infection is completely healed, pain is inevitable, meaning further treatment is still needed inside the tooth.
So if your dentist asks you to visit a few more times, don’t feel embarrassed. They’re doing this for your benefit.
Neglecting Post-Treatment Care
Your dentist is responsible for performing the treatment, but proper aftercare of the treated tooth is essential. Around 70% of the root canal treatment’s effectiveness depends on how well you follow the post-treatment care instructions.
So, strictly follow all the instructions your dentist gives you after the procedure.
Allergic Reactions
You may have allergic reactions to some of the medications used during the root canal. Additionally, low-quality metal dental crowns placed after the root canal can also cause allergic reactions. In such cases, pain or discomfort may occur in the tooth or surrounding tissues.
So, if you feel any kind of pain, always inform your dentist. They will identify the exact cause and take the proper steps.
Ways to Relieve Pain During Root Canal Treatment
It is normal to experience some pain during the course of a root canal treatment. If you’re experiencing such discomfort, you can follow these steps:
Take Pain Relief Medication
Your dentist has likely prescribed painkillers to manage the normal discomfort associated with root canal treatment. Take them as directed.
Avoid Biting with the Treated Tooth
During root canal treatment, we usually reduce the height of the treated tooth so it doesn’t come into contact with the opposite tooth while biting.
This is because the surrounding tissues may be sensitive during this time, and any pressure from biting can cause pain.
If your dentist hasn’t done this, avoid biting with that tooth. It’s best not to eat anything on the side of the treated tooth until the treatment is completed.
Apply a Cold Compress
To reduce tooth pain, apply a cold compress or ice pack to your jaw near the affected area. This can help ease the pain.
Contact Your Dentist
Some pain during a root canal is normal, but it should be tolerable and should subside after taking medication.
If the pain persists or becomes severe even after medication, contact your dentist immediately. And if you want a second opinion from another dentist, don’t be shy to contact us right away.
What to Do If You Experience Pain After a Root Canal?
It is normal to feel some pain for 5 to 7 days after a root canal procedure. However, this pain should gradually decrease day by day.
But if you notice that the pain does not subside even after 5 to 7 days, you must contact your dentist. They will assess the cause of your tooth pain and take the appropriate action.
How We Ensure Painless Root Canal Treatment
At Lumika Dental, we provide completely pain free root canal treatments. To ensure this, we follow a few special steps:
2-Step Anesthesia Application
Many people find the injection for anesthesia too painful. To minimize this, we first apply a numbing spray at the injection site. Only after that do we administer the anesthetic injection.
Because of this 2-step process, you will feel minimal or no pain at all during the administration of anesthesia.
Advanced Digital X-ray Facilities
Our clinic is equipped with digital X-ray imaging technology, which allows us to measure teeth more precisely and easily compared to conventional film X-rays.
This enables us to provide complete and accurate treatment. As a result, 99% of our patients do not feel any pain during or after root canal treatment.
Modern Sterilization Equipment
At Lumika Dental, all of our surgical tools used for root canal treatment are fully sterilized in an advanced autoclave machine, which eliminates the risk of infection after treatment.
Experienced Dentists
All of our patients at Lumika Dental are treated only by experienced BDS-qualified doctors.
Committed to Providing the Most Advanced Treatment
At Lumika Dental, we are committed to offering the most up-to-date and modern treatments.
To ensure this, we continually study recent international research and advancements in dental technology.
This means our treatment methods are always up to date and meet not just local, but international standards.
In Summary
By now, you should have a good idea about when is root canal painful. If you experience some pain during or after a root canal treatment, it is completely normal and should gradually fade.
However, by taking treatment from qualified doctors and following their instructions to the letter, it is possible to have a completely pain-free root canal experience-which is exactly what we aim to deliver at Lumika Dental. Feel free to contact us for 100% painless root canal treatments.
