Pain After Root Canal Treatment
Pain after root canal treatment: How long will pain last?
Pain after root canal treatment is a very normal condition. During the natural healing process of the treated tissues, the inability to put pressure on the tooth and the feeling of pain will pass within a few days to a week. As the tissues heal over time, this sensitivity decreases and ends. If the inability to put pressure on the tooth and pain have not completely disappeared within two weeks, you should definitely seek help from a dentist.
Why is my root canal tooth hurting?
How to treat root canal pain?
Feeling pain when pressing on the tooth after root canal treatment is actually a common situation experienced by many people. The main reason for this situation is that the tissues around the treated tooth have not yet fully healed. During root canal treatment, the nerve tissue inside the tooth is removed, and the root canals are cleaned and filled. However, the periodontal tissues around the tooth, that is, the connective tissues and bone surrounding the tooth, may be affected by this process.
Especially since the tip of the tools used during treatment works close to the end of the root, the surrounding tissues may be mechanically irritated. This creates sensitivity to the pressure on the tooth during chewing. This is usually temporary and disappears within a few days.
Is it normal not to be able to put pressure on the tooth after root canal treatment?
Yes, not to put pressure on the tooth after root canal treatment is generally a normal condition. Some of the patients who apply to us in dental practice come to us with the complaint, ‘I cannot put pressure on my tooth, I cannot chew anything hard’ immediately after root canal treatment. This situation often indicates that the root canal treatment was not successful but that the healing process has begun. The body protects the area stimulated during the procedure. Activation of the defence system results in the surrounding tissues remaining sensitive for a while.
However, if this situation lasts longer than 2 weeks or if the pain continues to intensify, this may be a sign of another underlying problem. In this case, we recommend that you consult a dentist for control purposes.
How long does not putting pressure on the tooth last?
This kind of sensitivity usually decreases within 3–7 days. In some cases, this may take up to 10-14 days. This period may be slightly longer, especially if additional irritation has occurred near the root tip during treatment or if the infection is in the process of healing.
However, if the pain persists or increases after 2 weeks, the treatment may need to be re-evaluated. In such cases, clinical controls may often reveal underlying causes, such as a new infection, inadequate canal filling, or microleaks.
Why does my root canal hurt ?
The pain after root canal treatment is a situation that worries many patients. The pain does not always mean that the treatment has failed. In fact, we accept it as normal to have pain as a natural part of the healing process. The pain experienced after root canal treatment varies between 1.9% and 82.9%. Each person has a different level of pain perception. However, if the pain continues, it’s important to consider some underlying physiological or technical factors. The four most common reasons for pain in a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment are as follows:
Inflammation after treatment (a natural part of the healing process)
In root canal treatment, the root canal is cleaned and filled after the infected or damaged nerve tissue (pulp) inside the tooth is removed. However, this process also exposes the tissues near the root tip to some degree of trauma. Tools or washing solutions may cause minor irritation during cleaning, especially at the root tip.
This initiates an ‘inflammation’ process, which is the body’s natural immune response. In this process, you should expect a throbbing pain that lasts for a few days or sensitivity when pressing on the tooth. The American Association of Endodontists recognises this condition as ‘self-limiting inflammation’, that is, an inflammatory process that tends to go away on its own.
Sensitisation of the tissues around the tooth.
The procedures performed during root canal treatment may affect not only the inner tooth but also the connective tissues and bone structure surrounding it. Especially if the instruments reach the root tip or the disinfectant liquids used overflow out of the root canal, irritation occurs in the surrounding tissues.
During chewing or when applying pressure with a finger, one experiences pain. Furthermore, placing a load on the tooth usually makes this sensitivity clearly noticeable. The tooth may require some time to adjust to the pressure during chewing.
Some studies indicate that this type of pain can last longer, especially in the posterior group (posterior) teeth.
High fillings or dental crowns
If the filling or dental crown (such as zirconium, e-max & empress) made after root canal treatment is left higher than the chewing line, then the patient feels more pressure than other teeth when biting or chewing with the tooth. This can cause excessive pressure and trauma during chewing.
In this case, the patient usually uses the following statements:
‘My tooth doesn’t hurt for no reason, but it hurts when I eat something or step on it.!
Such complaints are caused by the fillings not being properly adjusted to the chewing surface. Don’t worry! This is an effortlessly solvable situation. When the height of the filling is corrected with a small adjustment, the pain often disappears immediately.
Secondary infection (bacterial re-infection)
The goal of root canal treatment is to achieve complete sterility in the canal system. However, during the procedure, deep areas of the canal may conceal microorganisms. Or, if the filling falls out after the procedure and bacteria re-enter, a condition called ‘secondary infection’ may develop.
Such infections usually manifest themselves with symptoms such as throbbing that increases over time, pain that wakes one up from sleep at night, inflammatory discharge or swelling in the gums. If the infection extends from the root tip to the bone, the X-ray shows a significant darkening. In this case, interventions such as repetition of root canal treatment or apical resection, which is an advanced procedure, may be required.
How long does the pain last after root canal treatment?
If the pain when putting pressure on the tooth after root canal treatment is caused by the natural healing process, it usually subsides within 7-10 days. However, if there is a high filling height, treatment failure or new infection, the pain may not go away and become permanent. Especially if the pain increases at night or is felt throbbing, this may require re-treatment.
When should I worry about the pain?
If;
If the pain lasts longer than 14 days,
If there is severe pain and tenderness when you put pressure on the tooth,
If you experience a throbbing pain that intensifies, particularly during the night,
Swelling of the face or gums.
This situation should no longer be considered outside the normal healing process. A dentist should examine you immediately.
What is the recovery time after root canal treatment?
It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to heal completely, that is, for the surrounding tissues to return to normal. However, this process varies depending on the patient’s general health, immune system, the severity of the infection and the success of the treatment.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, more than 90% of root canal treatments can maintain their function for many years with the right treatment. This shows the importance of treatment and a good healing process.
Why does the tooth hurt after root canal treatment and filling?
After the root canal treatment, pain may occur in the tooth if the fillings remain high, the filling material is not fully compatible with the tooth, or if some bacteria cannot be completely removed during treatment. Additionally, some individuals may have a natural tendency to apply excessive pressure while chewing, which can strain the area around the filling.
Here are some factors that may cause pain after root canal treatment:
The healing process
Immediately after root canal treatments, the body’s natural defence system kicks in. Treatment for an infected tooth may prolong the inflammatory process in the surrounding connective tissues. You may experience pain, throbbing, or sensitivity to pressure during this time. This process is normal and is an indication that the body is trying to heal.
Inflammation of a root canal
If the bacteria in the canal are not thoroughly cleaned despite the treatment or if a new infection develops afterwards, inflammation may occur in the tooth root.
This condition usually manifests itself with severe pain, tenderness, throbbing, and sometimes even swelling of the face. In such a case, either the root canal treatment is repeated or surgical intervention may be required in advanced cases.
Inadequate cleaning or filling incompatibility
Sometimes, the root canal is closed without completely cleaning it or filling it up to the root tip. This leads to microbial leakage at the root end of the tooth. Likewise, if the edge fit of the filling on the tooth is poor, this also leaves an open door for bacteria.
Bite force and chewing habits
Teeth clenching (bruxism) or chewing habits can cause bigger problems, especially in teeth with root canal treatment. Because the nerve of the tooth is removed after root canal treatment, this tooth becomes more fragile. If too much force is applied, the risk of cracking or root fracture increases.
Failed root canal treatment
In rare cases, root canal treatments may fail. This situation usually occurs due to reasons such as an insufficient number of canals, incomplete cleaning of the roots, or inadequate filling. In unsuccessful treatments, pain persists for a long time, swelling and tenderness are observed, and retreatment is required.
What to do if you have pain after a root canal treatment?
Although post-treatment pain is considered normal, especially in the first few days, it is necessary to take some precautions to overcome this process in the healthiest way. We recommend some simple but effective steps to our patients in the first place.
Firstly, it is useful to avoid hard foods that trigger pain. Consuming only soft foods for the first few days and not using the treated tooth if possible helps the tissues around it heal. Additionally, it’s important to use prescribed painkillers correctly. Dentists generally prefer ibuprofen-group painkillers over blood thinners like aspirin, as they effectively reduce both pain and inflammation.
What should be considered during the treatment process?
The most important thing to pay attention to after the treatment is that temporary fillings or permanent fillings do not fall out. The upper part of the treated tooth is usually completed with a dental crown after a few weeks. During this time, it is critical that the tooth does not remain open in the mouth to prevent reinfection. Consult a dentist immediately if the temporary filling falls out.
Additionally, avoid bites that exert excessive force on the tooth, like nuts, hard bread crusts, or dried nuts. This precaution reduces the risk of fracturing.
How to stop pain after root canal treatment?
Firstly, determine the cause of pain. If the filling is high, the pain can be completely eliminated by adjusting this height with a simple session. However, if the infection persists, antibiotic treatment or recleaning the canal may be required.
If the pain is usually mild and not throbbing, gargling with warm salt water 2-3 times a day during the first week can also be relaxing. However, this is not a treatment but a supportive method.
In some cases, laser treatment procedures are also used to accelerate the healing process. However, such procedures have limited effect, and the primary treatment method should focus on eradicating the problem.
When should you consult a dentist?
If the pain exceeds 10 days and does not subside,
If there is a feeling as if the tooth is moving when you press the tooth,
If symptoms such as swelling, redness, or inflammation occur,
If there are general symptoms of infection such as fever, malaise,
If the pain keeps you awake at night.
In this case, it is necessary to consult a dentist without wasting time. Especially if the root canal treatment has failed, if this situation is neglected, it can lead to serious infections that can spread to the bone.
Why choose Avedent for root canal treatment?
With its specialised dentists in Istanbul, Turkey, Avedent Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic equips itself with modern technology, a scientific approach, and personalised solutions. It offers not only root canal treatment but also long-lasting oral health.
The most common problems encountered in root canal treatments are incompatible fillings, recurrent inflammation, falling fillings and failed root canal treatment. With Avedent, you can minimise this risk.
Contact us now to get more detailed information about root canal treatment, such as single-session and multi-session root canal treatments, to learn prices or to make an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
After root canal treatment, it is usually enough to wait 2-3 days to safely put pressure on the tooth. However, do not strain the area too much during this time. You should avoid chewing anything too hard until the tissues around the tooth are fully healed (about 1-2 weeks).
Yes, throbbing pain may occur after root canal treatment, especially in the first 48 hours. This is usually a normal inflammatory response of the body. If the throbbing increases at night and does not subside after a few days, you may think that this is not normal.
Despite its rarity, it is observable. Especially if there is already an abscess or widespread infection before treatment, swelling may persist for a while after treatment. However, if there is a new swelling, this may indicate a new infection. Immediate intervention is required.
Yes, pain can occasionally occur when a filling is too high or incompatible with nearby teeth. In such cases, the problem is solved with a simple correction procedure. Dental veneers can also stop pain from returning over time if the tooth’s structure is suitable.
Yes, painkillers are often sufficient for the first few days. However, continuous use of medication is not a solution and only suppresses the symptoms. The main goal is to eliminate the cause of the pain. If the medication is not effective, be aware that there is another underlying problem that needs treatment.
