Does a root canal hurt?
During treatment
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic before anything else is done. You will feel pressure and vibration but should not feel sharp pain. A very inflamed tooth (sometimes called a “hot tooth”) can be harder to numb fully; if you feel pain, say so and your dentist will give more anaesthetic or use a different technique. A thin rubber sheet isolates the tooth, so nothing goes down your throat.
Treatment usually takes one or two visits. If the tooth is infected, a medicated dressing is placed at the first visit and the canals are sealed at the second. Each visit typically lasts 60 to 120 minutes. See root canal treatment for the steps.
After treatment
| Days after | What is normal |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Tenderness on biting, mild ache, jaw stiffness from keeping your mouth open |
| 3–4 | Noticeable improvement |
| 5–7 | Little or no discomfort |
- If you need pain relief, ask your dentist, who will take your other medicines and any allergies into account.
- Chew on the other side until the tooth has its permanent filling or crown.
- Contact the dentist if swelling develops or increases, pain becomes severe or keeps getting worse after day three, or the temporary filling falls out.
Do I need days off?
Most people do not. You can usually return to work or school the same day, though your lip and cheek may stay numb for a few hours. If the tooth was badly infected or treatment was long, you may prefer to rest for the remainder of the day.
Do root canals cause cancer or other illness?
No credible evidence shows this. The idea traces back to the “focal infection” theory of the early 1900s, which was based on studies that were later found to be flawed and could not be repeated. Mainstream medicine and dentistry abandoned it decades ago. The American Association of Endodontists states that there is no credible scientific evidence linking properly performed root canal treatment to cancer or other diseases.
Why not just take the tooth out?
Sometimes that is the right choice. But keeping your own tooth avoids a gap that can cause the neighbouring teeth to drift, and avoids the cost of replacing it with an implant, bridge or denture. See root canal or extraction?
Costs
At Toothsmith, root canal treatment is $500 for a front tooth, $650 for a premolar and $1,000 for a molar (incl. GST). It is CHAS-claimable (up to two per calendar year), and patients aged 60 and above can use Flexi-MediSave of up to $400 a year towards root canal treatment and crowns. A crown is usually recommended afterwards on back teeth; see do I need a crown after a root canal?
Frequently asked questions
How painful is a root canal on a scale of 1 to 10?
With effective local anaesthetic, most people describe it as similar to a filling. The tenderness in the following one to three days is usually mild to moderate.
Why does my tooth still hurt after a root canal?
Tenderness on biting for a few days is normal while the tissues around the root settle. Pain that worsens after day three, swelling, or a high bite should be checked.
How long does a root canal take?
Usually one or two visits of 60 to 120 minutes each, depending on the tooth and whether there is infection.
Does a root canal kill the tooth?
The nerve and blood supply inside the tooth are removed, so the tooth no longer feels hot or cold. The tooth stays in place, held by the surrounding gum and bone, and can last many years when properly restored.
Sources
- American Association of Endodontists, Do root canals cause cancer?
Questions about your teeth?
Book a check-up. You will hear what we find, the options and the fee before anything is done.