Is root canal treatment painful? Damage to the tooth pulp often causes an unpleasant feeling of pain. Root canal filling is an important step to prevent the spread of infection. However, many people are concerned about whether this process is painful? Let’s explore in the section below.
What is a root canal filling?
Root canal filling is a method of restoring teeth after root canal treatment. This is a complex procedure that requires skills, experience and specialized equipment to remove infected pulp before performing a restorative filling.
The root canal filling process usually includes the following steps: The doctor will open the root canal to remove the infected pulp, then clean the root canal. Next, the root canal will be prepared and a filling material will be used to restore and seal the root canal, while restoring the original shape of the tooth.
See more: 6 popular dental filling materials
When is a root canal filling needed?
Tooth filling is a dental procedure used to fix problems such as tooth decay, cracked teeth, etc. The decision of whether or not to have a root canal when filling a tooth usually depends on the extent of the damage to the tooth.
Root canal fillings consist of two stages: first is the root canal treatment, and then the filling process. During the root canal treatment, the dentist will remove the infected pulp from the tooth.
Cases of tooth filling without root canal
If the damage is mild and has not affected the tooth pulp, it is not necessary to have a root canal before filling. Cases such as mild tooth decay, slightly cracked teeth, spaced teeth, or misaligned teeth, usually do not require a root canal before filling. In these cases, the filling process is usually simple and gentle, helping to fix the problem quickly.
When root canal treatment is necessary
When the tooth shows signs of infection such as pain due to tooth decay, tooth tissue damage, exposed pulp due to trauma, or risk of infection, the doctor will usually conduct an examination and take X-rays to accurately assess the extent of the damage. In cases of severe damage and the pulp cannot be retained, the doctor will decide to remove the pulp before filling the tooth.
Pros and cons of root canal filling
Dental filling is considered an effective and safe method of treating tooth decay. Before deciding to fill a tooth, it is very important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of this method.
Advantages of root canal filling
- Preserving real teeth: Timely treatment of pulp infection helps prevent infection, tooth abscess, and permanent tooth loss.
- Improving chewing function: After root canal filling, the patient no longer has to endure pain from tooth decay, helping to improve chewing function and protect the tooth better.
Disadvantages of root canal filling
- Teeth after root canal treatment and filling can become more fragile because the tooth tissue becomes brittle.
- To prolong the life of the tooth after root canal treatment, porcelain crowns can be a good solution to protect the tooth from external impacts, while ensuring aesthetics and chewing function.
Is root canal treatment painful?
Is root canal filling painful? This is a concern of many people before using this service. In general, there is pain but it is not too scary, so you can rest assured.
During root canal treatment
In the past, when it comes to root canal treatment, many people often feel scared because they are worried about the pain when going through this process. However, in this modern era, with the support of advanced technology, the root canal process has become significantly gentler.
When performing the treatment, the doctor will often use local anesthesia, helping you only feel a little bit of jaw stiffness without experiencing pain or discomfort. With skills and experience, the doctor can perform the root canal process quickly and safely.
After the root canal
After the root canal to remove bacteria and inflammation, the doctor will usually fill the tooth. During the period after treatment, about 2 hours, the patient may feel a little sore in the area of the tooth that was filled. The cause of this feeling often comes from the body not being used to the new filling material used, and this is a completely normal phenomenon.
See more: How Long After Tooth Filling Can I Eat? And 7 Things To Know
Does the root canal filling process cause pain?
Normally, after the root canal filling process, you will no longer feel pain in the treated tooth area. However, if the pain persists, even showing signs of pus formation, the cause may include:
- Not completely removing the root canal: This is the leading reason for pain after tooth filling. If there is still part of the inflamed pulp left behind, bacteria can recur and cause pulpitis, leading to frequent pain.
- Incorrect filing technique: This often comes from the doctor’s inexperience, causing the filling to not be placed tightly, causing pain after treatment.
- Using poor quality fillings: Poor quality fillings can cause unwanted reactions, causing pain after filling.
- Pulp damage during treatment: In some cases, careless root canal treatment can cause perforation of the pulp floor or pulp apex, leading to pain after treatment.
How to fix toothache after root canal treatment
Regardless of the cause of toothache after root canal treatment, it is important that you go to the dentist for an immediate examination. Here, the doctors will conduct an examination, take X-rays and recommend the most appropriate treatment method.
If the pain is determined to be due to incorrect root canal filling or restoration, the doctor will remove it and perform a restoration, ensuring that the filling material is fully and tightly placed in the tooth.
If the cause is due to incomplete pulp removal, the doctor will perform a complete root canal treatment before re-filling the tooth.
In case the examination detects a perforated pulp floor or apex that cannot be restored, the doctor may recommend tooth extraction. After tooth extraction, dental implants are recommended to ensure aesthetics and chewing ability.
To summarize, pain after root canal filling is an abnormal sign that you should not ignore. To avoid this situation, choose a reliable dental facility with modern equipment and a team of professional doctors. This will help reduce the risk of unwanted complications.
The harm of improper tooth filling
If the tooth filling is not done carefully, the filling tool can affect the tooth pulp, causing uncomfortable pain. In the case of a tooth filling that is too deep, you cannot prevent the destruction of the tooth enamel and tooth pulp. If the condition becomes severe, the doctor may have to consider tooth extraction to prevent the spread to other nearby teeth.
See more: Can You Fill Your Teeth At Home? Are There Any Side Effects Associated With Doing This?
FAQs
Will tooth fillings cause tooth decay again?
Even if you have had a tooth filling, you may still experience tooth decay. However, if you maintain proper oral care and your doctor performs the filling according to the technique, the possibility of a second cavity will be significantly reduced. On the contrary, if tooth decay recurs, it may become more severe than before because the enamel erosion process has weakened the tooth.
After filling, the tooth may become more sensitive to air, food and temperature. Usually, after a few weeks, the sensitivity will decrease and the tooth will return to normal, without the need for pain medication. However, if you feel pain when biting food, it may be due to a problem with the filling and you should see a doctor immediately for timely examination and adjustment.
Are cosmetic fillings durable?
According to dental experts, dental fillings usually have an average lifespan of about 3 to 5 years. However, this milestone is only relative because the durability of dental fillings can vary for each tooth, each type of filling material and also depends on each person’s oral care regimen.
Time to place the medicine before filling the tooth
After placing the medicine to kill the tooth pulp, the tooth pulp does not die immediately, but it takes about 24 to 48 hours for the pulp tissue to start dying. During this time, the patient may feel pain and soreness. However, this pain will gradually decrease after about a day.
Types of temporary dental fillings
Eugenate temporary fillings are commonly used in dentistry for root canal treatment and are temporary, not a long-term solution. Eugenate helps protect the tooth pulp system, preventing bacteria from entering the tooth pulp during the treatment process.
We have just addressed the common question: is root canal treatment painful? At Bally, we take every measure to ensure that your orthodontic treatment is not only effective but also enhances your facial aesthetics. With our experienced team, modern equipment, and personalized care, you can trust that your braces experience will be smooth and successful. When you choose Bally, you’ll leave with a smile that you’re proud to show off, completely satisfied with the quality of service and the results we deliver.
See more: 5 Harmful Effects of Dental Fillings