Is root canal treatment painful?
Quick answer
Does root canal treatment hurt?
Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, and most patients say it feels like having a filling, just longer.
The severe pain people associate with root canals is usually the infection beforehand — the treatment is what relieves it. At York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet, root canal treatment starts from £525. Some tenderness on biting for a few days afterwards is normal.
What you need to know
The dentist numbs the tooth, isolates it with a thin rubber sheet, then cleans and shapes the canals inside the root before sealing them. It can take one or two visits depending on the tooth and how much infection there is. Molars take longest because they have more canals.
Afterwards, over-the-counter pain relief is usually enough. Avoid chewing hard food on the tooth until it is permanently restored. Pain that gets worse after a few days, or new swelling, should be checked.
If a tooth is very inflamed, it can be harder to numb — tell us and we will take extra time. Nervous patients can discuss sedation. Fees are explained in root canal cost; full detail on root canal treatment.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
