Is a Root Canal Painful?

Brunette woman smiles in a dental chair before root canal treatment in Fort Smith, AR

Whenever we bring up the topic of root canals with patients, it’s only a matter of time before we get a certain question: “Is it going to hurt?”

Over the years, root canals have developed a reputation that’s tied with pain in many patient’s minds, but we’re here to bust any myths you may have heard. The fact of the matter is, root canals are not painful—they’re actually eliminating the source of your pain! Here’s the scoop:


The Truth About the Root Canal Procedure

In the olden days of dentistry when tools and techniques were far less advanced than they are today, it’s true that a root canal might’ve been an unpleasant endeavor. Thankfully, that’s not the case in our modern era! With state-of-the-art technology and options like local anesthesia and dental sedation, the most many patients feel during root canal treatment is just a slight bit of pressure.

What some patients don’t realize is that the whole purpose of getting a root canal is to preserve your natural tooth, protect you from tooth loss, and rid your tooth of the infection that’s causing you pain. When that’s gone, you can go back to having a healthy, pain-free smile!


Aftercare with Root Canal

After your root canal treatment, it’s very common to experience a little bit of sensitivity or mild aching when the anesthetic wears off. This sensation is normal during the recovery period and should decrease with time. All in all, any post-procedure discomfort you might feel should only last a few days and can be easily managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever.


Still Worried? Let Us Know!

If you still have some concerns about getting root canal therapy, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We provide this restorative procedure at Southern Dental Fort Smith, and we’d be happy to ease any worries you might have.

If you are currently experiencing tooth pain, we invite you to set up a consultation at our modern, comfortable office in Fort Smith. You’ll be in good hands here!



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Southern Dental Fort Smith

Southern Dental Fort Smith