No, the root canal treatment (RCT) should not be painful. We will take every measure to ensure that your procedure is as comfortable as possible. Before treatment begins, the tooth and surrounding area will be numbed using local anesthesia. Most patients report feeling pressure during the procedure but no pain. The feeling of numbness usually subsides after 2-3 hours for most patients. If you experience any discomfort during the procedure, please let us know immediately, and we will address it promptly.
During endodontic treatment:
- A local anesthetic is administered to completely numb the affected tooth.
- A rubber dam, a protective (non latex) rubber sheet, is placed around the tooth to isolate it and maintain a clean, dry environment during the procedure.
- The dentist removes the infected or inflamed pulp tissue from within the tooth.
- The cleaned canals are then filled with a biocompatible material.
- The number of appointments required varies depending on the complexity of the case:
- Most treatments are completed in one visit.
- Some cases may be resolved in two appointments.
- Occasionally, three or more visits may be necessary.
Our endodontists will inform you of any additional treatment needed, either in our office or at your general dentist's office. If it is a posterior(back) tooth then often a crown will be recommended following treatment. If the tooth already has a crown then often the existing crown can be kept.
Once your endodontic treatment is finished, Dr. McLean will inform you if any further follow up is recommended. Often we will only need to see you again if you are having some kind of a problem with the tooth that we worked on.
Some misinformed people believe that root canal procedures can lead to various illnesses and diseases throughout the body. This misconception stems from outdated research conducted nearly a century ago by Dr. Weston A. Price. His work, which predated modern medical understanding of disease causes, led to a period of unnecessary tooth extractions.
Debunking the Myth:
Dr. Price's research methods were criticized even in his time and have been thoroughly discredited by modern scientific standards.
Subsequent studies using advanced research techniques have disproven his findings.
The Journal of the American Dental Association published a special edition in 1951 reviewing the scientific literature, which led to a shift back to endodontic treatment as the standard of practice.
Recent research, such as a 2013 study published in JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, suggests that patients with multiple endodontic treatments may actually have a lower risk of certain cancers.
In conclusion, root canal treatment remains a safe, effective, and important procedure in modern dentistry, despite persistent myths based on outdated and flawed research.
The Reality:
No credible scientific evidence supports a link between root canal-treated teeth and systemic diseases.
Root canal treatment is a safe and effective procedure designed to eliminate infection, prevent reinfection, and preserve natural teeth.
The presence of bacteria in the mouth is normal and doesn't necessarily indicate an infection or health threat. A healthy immune system can manage these bacteria effectively.
Tooth extraction, often suggested as an alternative, is more traumatic and can introduce more bacteria into the bloodstream than a root canal procedure.
Preserving natural teeth through root canal treatment is usually more cost-effective and beneficial than extraction and implant placement.
Preserving your natural teeth is generally the best option when possible. While extraction might seem like a simpler solution, it can lead to various complications and long-term issues.
Your natural teeth are uniquely designed for your mouth, and no artificial replacement can fully replicate their function. Removing a tooth can affect your ability to eat certain foods and may impact your overall nutrition. Before agreeing to an extraction, it's worth discussing the possibility of a root canal with your dentist.
Root canal treatment, combined with proper restoration, is often more cost-effective than extraction followed by replacement options like bridges or implants. Moreover, root canal procedures generally have a high success rate.
Opting for extraction and subsequent replacement often requires more time-consuming treatments and may necessitate procedures on neighboring teeth or surrounding tissues. This can lead to additional complications and expenses in the long run.
Millions of people worldwide have benefited from successful root canal treatments, allowing them to maintain their natural smile, chew efficiently, and enjoy a better quality of life. Endodontists and dentists specializing in root canal procedures have helped countless patients keep their natural teeth for years to come, proving that this treatment is a viable and often preferable alternative to extraction.
Dentistry is very broad, there are many many topics that your dentist needs to be familiar with and deal with. We only deal with root canals, and related issues. This means that we are a lot more experienced than your dental office in diagnosing/treating these specific types of problems. We also have advanced imaging that your general dentist likely does not have. Some patients that are sent to us have pain that is not coming from their teeth, some patients have teeth that are causing the problem but are no longer predictably fixable. We only recommend root canal therapy for about half of the patients that we consult in our office.