Mention root canal treatment and most people wince. It’s got a reputation as the worst thing a dentist can do to you. Ask people who’ve actually had one, though, and plenty will tell you something different. The toothache before was the bad bit. The treatment itself is done with the tooth numbed, much like a filling.
So, does a root canal hurt? Here’s what to expect during treatment, how your tooth might feel afterwards, and when a root-treated tooth that’s still sore needs looking at.
Does a Root Canal Hurt? The Short Answer
No, it shouldn’t. We numb the tooth with local anaesthetic before we start, the same as for a filling, so you’re awake but you shouldn’t feel any pain. You’ll feel pressure and some movement while we work. Pain, not really.
What people often don’t realise is that the pain they’re dreading is usually the infection itself. Root canal treatment is what gets rid of it.
Why Root Canals Have Such a Bad Reputation
Part of it is timing. By the time most people need one, the tooth has often been throbbing for days, keeping them up at night. That pain gets linked in their memory with the treatment, even though the treatment is what stopped it.
The rest is old stories. Dentistry has moved on a long way, and a lot of the horror tales people pass around simply don’t match what happens in the chair now.
What Root Canal Treatment Actually Involves
Inside every tooth there’s soft tissue called the pulp, with nerves and blood vessels running through it. If bacteria get in, through deep tooth decay, gum disease or a crack, that pulp can become infected. Left alone, the infection can lead to an abscess.
Root canal treatment cleans that infection out. We remove the infected pulp, clean and shape the inside of the tooth, then fill and seal it. It can take more than one appointment, depending on the tooth and how bad the infection is, and you may have a temporary filling in between. We’ll tell you what yours is likely to involve before we start.
The point of all this is to save your own tooth. Without it, the usual alternative is taking the tooth out.
What Does It Feel Like During Treatment?
Numb, mostly. Once the anaesthetic has kicked in, you shouldn’t feel sharp pain. You’ll notice the pressure of instruments and maybe some vibration. Lying with your mouth open for a while can get tiring, and your jaw might ache a little from that.
If you do feel anything sharp, say so. More anaesthetic can be given.
How Bad Does a Root Canal Hurt on a Scale of 1 to 10?
People ask this a lot, and we get why. We won’t give you a number, though, because it would be misleading. Everyone’s different, and how a tooth feels going in (how inflamed it is, how long it’s been bothering you) changes things. What should happen is simpler than a score. Once the tooth is properly numb, you shouldn’t feel sharp pain during treatment. If you do, tell us, and more anaesthetic can be given. Most of the discomfort people talk about comes either before treatment, from the infection, or afterwards while things settle. Which brings us to recovery.
Is It Normal for a Tooth to Hurt After a Root Canal?
Some soreness, yes. Your jaw and face can stay numb for a few hours while the anaesthetic wears off. After that, the area around the tooth may feel swollen and sore for a while, but it should settle within a couple of weeks, which is in line with NHS guidance. Biting can feel tender, especially on that side, and a tooth that hurts with pressure for a while is common.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help, and try not to knock or bump your mouth. What you’re looking for is a tooth that’s getting better as the days go by, not worse.
| What’s normal | When to ring us |
|---|---|
| Soreness that eases over a couple of weeks | Pain that’s getting worse instead of better |
| Tenderness when you bite down | Pain or swelling that painkillers don’t help |
| Numbness for a few hours after treatment | Swelling that appears or spreads in your face or jaw |
| Gradual improvement | The temporary filling coming out |
If pain is getting worse rather than better, or swelling appears, don’t wait it out. Get in touch and go to any follow-up appointments you’ve been given.
Why Is My Root Canal Tooth Hurting Months or Years Later?
Most root-treated teeth settle down and stay comfortable for years. Occasionally one starts aching again later on. That can happen if infection gets back in, if the tooth cracks, or if the filling or crown on top starts to leak. Root-treated teeth can be more brittle than they were, so cracks are something we keep an eye on.
A tooth that’s been root treated and is now hurting again can sometimes be treated again. Don’t just put up with it. Get it checked so we can find out what’s going on.
Do You Need a Crown After a Root Canal?
Not always. After treatment the tooth is sealed with a filling, but if it was badly infected you may need a crown as well. Because a root-filled tooth can be more brittle, a crown is often recommended to protect it, particularly back teeth that take a lot of chewing force.
So how long does a root canal last without a crown? There’s no fixed number of years, and anyone quoting one without seeing the tooth is guessing. It comes down to how much healthy tooth is left, where it sits in your mouth, how much biting force it takes and what it’s been sealed with. A front tooth with plenty of structure left might do fine with just a filling. A heavily filled back molar is a different story. We’ll look at yours and tell you which option makes sense.
Is Root Canal Treatment Worth It?
For most people, yes. Success rates for root canal treatment are generally very high, at times over 90%. Keeping your own tooth means no gap and nothing to replace.
The alternative is extraction, and then a decision about whether to fill the space with an implant, a bridge or a denture.
Nervous About Root Canal Treatment?
That’s completely normal, and you’re not on your own. Tell us how you feel when you book. We’ll go at your pace, explain each step before we do it and check in with you throughout. If you’re very anxious, sedation is available too.
Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Pain
Does a root canal hurt?
How long does a tooth hurt after a root canal?
How many appointments does root canal treatment take?
Why does my tooth hurt when I bite after a root canal?
Why is my root canal tooth hurting years later?
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Is root canal treatment better than having the tooth out?
Root Canal Treatment in Droitwich
Droitwich Dental Studio has been a referral centre for root canal treatment since 1998, so other dentists send their patients to us for it. If you’ve got a tooth that’s aching, sensitive or swollen around the gum, don’t wait for it to get worse. Ring us on 01905 797733 or book online and we’ll take a look.
