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Tooth Pain After Root Canal Treatment

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Many people are interested in when and how much a tooth might hurt during root canal treatment and afterward.

The procedure involves cleaning the internal root canal system of the tooth. Since the anatomy of the root canal system can vary greatly, cleaning and filling (treatment) can be a complex process. Generally, the procedure is completely painless. In rare cases, it may cause discomfort during the treatment itself, and post-treatment pain may also occur. The tooth may ache moderately or slightly, or remain sensitive for a few days after the procedure.

In the past, endodontic treatment (root canal cleaning) was an extremely painful procedure, which is where people’s fear of dentists originated. Fortunately, those times are over, and today the procedure is completely painless in most cases. Before starting the procedure, the dentist administers local anesthesia. During the treatment, the dentist cleans the root canal system of inflamed or decayed tissue. Any discomfort and mild pain are caused by this process. Generally, the pain is either mild or moderate, and patients can manage it with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. A good endodontist always informs the patient in advance about possible post-treatment pain and recommends suitable pain relievers or, if necessary, prescribes medication. If you are taking other medications, please consult your doctor before using pain relievers to avoid potential drug interactions. If the tooth is sensitive or painful after the root canal treatment, it is advisable to avoid chewing with that tooth and ensure proper dental hygiene.

When should you seek help from the dentist who performed the root canal treatment?

If pain or sensitivity occurs after the procedure, it should subside within a few days. If the pain persists and/or swelling develops after three days, you should return to the dentist. In most cases, one or two visits are sufficient to clean and fill the root canal system (complete the treatment from start to finish). However, in complex cases (where post-procedure pain and swelling occur), multiple repeat cleaning procedures may be necessary. In such cases, it is difficult to predict the number of root canal treatment visits required.

Once the treatment is completed, the tooth usually requires a crown.