Expert: Tony Appleton BDS DPDS - 10/3/2007

Question
Hello,
I had the first part of the root canal treatment on a tooth that we believe had been infected for a long time. I had a crown done on the tooth behind it right before it began to hurt and thought it was the crown hurting instead. Anyway, the infected tooth finally revealed itself when the filling collapsed.
The night of the first part of the root canal was excruciating. I was in that kind of incapacitating pain for 2-3 days. Is that normal? I've had a lot of people tell me that theirs were painless. My dentist also had a hard time getting me numb. He finally did but it wore off quickly. Is that also normal?
I am about to have the second round done and it does feel much better but he said it might stir it up again and the pain could be bad. Is my situation different?
Thanks in advance.

Lea


Answer
Hi Lea

I'm afraid root canal can sometimes be quite painful - usually if the tooth is acutely infected, as the infection can inhibit the local anaesthetic. Generally at the second appointment it is nowhere near as bad - indeed it is usually pain-free.

Good luck

Regards

Tony Appleton