A root canal is often used as an example of something very painful. However, it's not necessarily true that a root canal has to be painful especially with many of the techniques that a dentist can use to carry out the procedure. 

Root Canals Actually Alleviate Pain

You may already be in pain due to your damaged or infected tooth. If that is the case, a root canal can be the one thing that alleviates your pain. The pain you are experiencing often goes away immediately after the root canal. 

With the root canal, your dentist removes the diseased tooth pulp and places a biocompatible material in its place. After the procedure is complete, your dentist covers the tooth with a crown so that the tooth can be saved. Saving your tooth is a much better option than extracting it and replacing it with a dental implant.

Your Root Canal Might Be Painless

When your dentist carries out the root canal procedure, you will be placed under local anesthesia. While there may be no pain involved, you might feel slight discomfort. You may also feel discomfort after the procedure for a few days even if you will be in less pain compared to before the procedure. 

Because of the method that a dentist uses to perform a root canal, the procedure shouldn't be painful. The purpose of the painkiller is to make sure that there is no possibility of pain since the pain receptors will be thoroughly numbed. 

After the Procedure

If you experience any pain after the procedure, make sure to inform your dentist. Some pain is normal and you should be able to alleviate it with over-the-counter medications. If the pain is more severe, your dentist may prescribe a painkiller. 

Your dentist will typically advise you to not eat immediately after the procedure. Chew on the other side of your mouth for a few days after the procedure as you give your tooth time to heal. It's also better to eat softer foods until you have recovered fully.

The pain will usually not persist after two weeks. If you are still in pain after two weeks, speak with your dentist and they may need to look at your tooth again to find out what's wrong. They'll be able to investigate and make sure everything is healing correctly.

To learn more about root canal procedures, contact a dentist near you.