Patients are numbed for a root canal. Modern endodontic procedures prioritize patient comfort, and local anesthesia is a standard part of the treatment process. A root canal involves accessing the pulp tissue inside the tooth, which contains the nerves and blood vessels and is the source of severe pain. Numbing the area ensures the patient feels no pain while the infected or damaged pulp is removed. This allows the dentist or endodontist to focus on thoroughly cleaning and sealing the interior of the tooth for a successful outcome.
Administering Local Anesthesia
Achieving profound numbness completely blocks pain signals from the tooth’s nerve. The process often begins with applying a topical anesthetic gel to the gum tissue, which temporarily numbs the surface before the injection. This minimizes the discomfort of the needle stick.
The dentist then administers a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine or articaine, through an injection near the affected tooth. These medications work by chemically blocking sodium channels in the nerve cells, preventing the transmission of pain signals to the brain. The rapid onset of action, typically within two to five minutes, ensures the area is numb before the procedure begins.
Anesthesia must be deep and complete because the pulp tissue is highly sensitive. If a tooth is severely infected or inflamed, the tissues can be resistant to the numbing medication, sometimes called a “hot tooth.” If this occurs, the endodontist can use supplementary techniques, such as injecting the anesthetic directly into the pulp chamber, to ensure the nerve is fully blocked.
What You Will Feel During the Root Canal
Once the local anesthesia has taken full effect, you should not experience any sharp sensation or pain during the procedure. The anesthetic turns off pain signals traveling from the tooth’s nerves to the brain, but it does not block all other forms of sensation.
It is common to feel pressure or vibration as the dentist works on the tooth. This occurs because the anesthetic blocks pain but does not eliminate the feeling of touch or movement in surrounding tissues, such as the jawbone and ligaments. Patients often report feeling the instruments working inside the tooth, but this manifests as a pushing or vibrating feeling, not discomfort.
If you feel a sharp sensation or pain at any point, immediately alert the dentist. They can pause the procedure and administer supplementary anesthetic to ensure your comfort. Maintaining communication is key, as the goal is for the entire active treatment phase to be pain-free.
Managing Discomfort After the Procedure
The numbing effect of the local anesthetic is temporary, typically lasting for a few hours after the procedure. The exact duration depends on the specific type and amount of anesthetic used. Once the numbness wears off, it is normal to experience mild soreness or tenderness in the treated area for a few days.
This post-procedure discomfort results from the body’s natural inflammatory response to the treatment and the prior infection. This mild to moderate pain is generally managed with over-the-counter pain medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, are commonly recommended to alleviate soreness and inflammation.
Follow the dosage instructions provided by your dental professional for any medication. While some tenderness is expected, contact your dentist or endodontist immediately if you experience severe pain, visible swelling lasting more than a few days, or if the symptoms you had before the root canal return. These signs indicate a need for a follow-up assessment.