Bogota Dental Center
85 East Main Street
Bogota, NJ 07603
888-505-1145

Root Canal Pain

Are you experiencing root canal pain? Toothaches can cause unbearable pain and sensitivity to warm and cold temperatures. If you are experiencing the symptoms of a root canal, schedule an appointment with your dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Root Canals

Root canal pain is felt when a tooth has become badly decayed or infected. The pulp of the tooth can be diseased and the tooth's nerve may be decayed. A dentist can properly diagnose it if you have a root canal. They perform root canal procedures to eliminate the pain and suffering of root canal pain. During the procedure, the nerve and pulp of the tooth are removed. The tooth is cleaned and sealed to prevent further infection. If not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, the tissue around the infected tooth can cause an abscess to form.

Your teeth have a natural cavity through the center known as the root canal. The canal is filled with a soft pulp. The nerve of the tooth is inside the root canal. Root canal pain could mean the nerve needs to be removed. The tooth's nerve is not vital to the health and function of the tooth. They only serve as sensory nerves to help you determine when foods and beverages are hot or cold. The absence of the nerve does not affect the function of your teeth or gums.

The Procedure

A common misconception is that the root canal procedure causes even more root canal pain. Root canals do not cause pain. They relieve it. Your dentist will tell you having the pulp and nerve removed is a more efficient way of relieving pain. You'll keep your tooth and the infection is healed much faster once the pulp and nerve are extracted. Modern technology and advanced treatment options have given oral health specialists the tools they need to make root canal pain easier to relieve.

Your dentist will choose a treatment option depending on your individual case. Your dentist first X-rays your teeth to locate the source of the infection and get an idea of how your root canals are shaped. Local anesthesia is applied to the area to numb the gums surrounding the infected tooth. Then your dentist drills an access hole into the tooth. Through the hole, your dentist is able to remove the infected pulp and decayed nerve. Your dentist cleans the root canal with a series of files that scrape the inside of the tooth. The files remove bacteria and other debris from inside the canal. Your dentist may give you medication to heal the infection. You may feel some root canal pain right after the procedure. The infection and soreness will heal. You can return to your dentist to have the root canal sealed.

Symptoms

Root canal pain may be mild to severe. In some cases, you may not even notice root canal pain, but instead notice other symptoms. Symptoms of a root canal include:

• Tooth discoloration and tooth darkening
• Swelling of the gums, tenderness and inflammation
• Persistent or recurring pimples on the gums
• Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Severe toothache or root canal pain, especially when chewing or applying pressure