Is it normal for a root canal to hurt 4 days after?

Is it normal for a root canal to hurt 4 days after?

Is it normal for a root canal to hurt 4 days after?

After a root canal, it’s common to experience pain for about three to five days following the procedure. However, if the pain persists for longer than that, it could be a sign that there was a complication during the procedure, or that something else is going on that’s causing the pain. There are many reasons why you may experience tooth pain after root canal, and today we’ll talk about what they are and what you can do about them.

Related Article: Are You Suffering from Root Canal Symptoms?

Pain After Root Canal: The Dentist Could Have Used Too Much Filling

When a root canal is performed, the dentist will remove infected pulp from inside the tooth and scrape the canal to ensure there is no leftover bacteria or damaged pulp. Once the canal is clean, the dentist will insert a filling to seal the tooth. When too much filling is used, it can make your tooth sit tall in your mouth and cause pain when you bite.

What to do: For a tall tooth, go back to the dentist to have some of the excess filling removed so your tooth can sit normally in your mouth again.

Pain After Root Canal: There May Still Be Bacteria Present Inside the Tooth

Root canals are designed to remedy tooth pain caused by infected pulp, where bacteria in the mouth cause the infections. If any bacteria get left behind or accidentally pushed into the root, bone, or surrounding tissue, then this can create lasting pain while the infection persists.

What to do: In most cases, your body will be able to fight the infection on its own, especially after the dead nerves and pulp is removed (because the bacteria have nowhere to hide). However, it’s best to talk to your dentist, because antibiotics may be required to help the healing process, and in rare cases, if the tooth has cracked, a full extraction may be required.

Pain After Root Canal: Damage or Inflammation

Even experienced dentists can sometimes cause damage or swelling to the surrounding tissues during a root canal, and when this happens, it can cause pain after root canal that lasts longer than the typical five days. Similarly, the initial infection may have caused inflammation around the infection site, leading to additional pain.

What to do: Pain from damage and swelling will generally resolve on its own when the damage heals and the swelling goes down.

Pain After Root Canal: A Canal or Nerve May Have Been Missed

When a root canal is performed, sometimes the tooth has multiple canals, and if the dentist misses a canal or doesn’t remove all the damaged nerves, then the original pain will persist even after the procedure is completed.

What to do: Book a follow-up with your dentist or a new dentist as soon as possible because a more comprehensive root canal will have to be performed to remove all the pulp or the remaining nerve.

Generally speaking, root canals are a very effective treatment for tooth pain that’s caused by infected or damaged pulp inside the tooth. When the procedure is successful, the pain will disappear within three to five days. However, if the pain continues longer than that, it’s good to know the potential causes so you can decide when you should contact Dr. Caye for a follow-up to stop pain after root canal.

Dr. Stephan Caye and his friendly, experienced team at Premier Dental offer affordable family dentistry and oral health education to their patients in the Lee’s Summit, MO area. Our office is conveniently located off of Highway 50 and SE Blue Parkway. We offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Premier Dental, we provide most dental health services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including tooth replacement options, including CEREC crowns, dental implants and dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, emergency dental care and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Please call us at (816) 600-6330 to schedule an appointment.

Root Canals Get a Bad Reputation 

Is it normal for a root canal to hurt 4 days after?

People hear the words “Root Canal” and they immediately tense up, expecting pain and discomfort. The amount of pain associated with root canals is the same about as a normal filling. The best root canal dentists in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach take extra care when treating root canals. They understand how scary it is to go through this procedure, but a little pain now can save you tons of pain later.

Call the Best Root Canal Dentist in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach Today 561-795-7668 

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After a root canal, you will have discomfort. You just had the equivalent of a broken arm repaired.  It will be tender and sore.  The pain may be a dull ache, or it may be strong for the first 24-48 hours.  Your body is starting up the repair process by sending in the cleanup and reconstruction crew.  White blood cell cleanup team moves into the broken area.  Food and oxygen are supplied to the area to support healing. Keep in mind that the infection and treatment of your root canal tooth creates swelling, inflammation, tenderness, bruising, and pain. These symptoms are temporary and will subside over time. Your tooth is repaired and now must recover. Try to get some rest and drink plenty of fluids.  Take pain medications, antibiotics, and vitamins/minerals to supply the recovery.

Pain after root canal is normal.  The main thing to bear in mind is that pain after root canal should improve a little bit each day.  Most of the pain after root canal subsides within a few days but lingering pain can last up to a year following your root canal treatment. As always, if you have a concern that your recovery is not proceeding as it should, do not hesitate to call your dentist in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach.

Facts on pain after a root canal:

  • A root canal will treat the diseased tissue (pulp) while preserving the rest of the tooth.
  • A person will be given anesthetic before the procedure, so it is usually no more painful than a typical dental filling.
  • If a root canal fails, redoing it can fix the problem.

How much pain is normal?

Most people report feeling a little sensitive or tender for a few days after having a root canal. There are several reasons for this:

  • The tissue around the gums remains swollen or inflamed: Even though Dr. Sunitha Sirivolu, dentist in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach has removed the nerve root from the tooth, there are still small nerves in the ligaments and tissue surrounding the tooth. When this area is inflamed, such as after a dental procedure, these nerve endings can also register discomfort.
  • High temporary filling: This is when your bite is off from the temporary filling not being smooth down enough. If the filling is even just a little higher than the surrounding tooth, it can cause the mouth to bite harder on that spot, which would make the tooth sore.

In most cases, the sensitivity and discomfort associated with a root canal should go away within a few days. If it does not get better, or if the pain is severe or unrelieved by home measures, it is important to call Dr. Sirivolu for an evaluation right away.

Managing root canal pain at home

Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers should be enough to relieve the pain after a root canal. When using medications, make sure to follow instructions carefully and call your Wellington, Royal Palm Beach dentist if the pain medication is not working.

It is important to avoid chewing or biting down on the affected tooth until the final restoration has been completed. The temporary filling is delicate and may break as a result. Also, practicing good oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing should continue.

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Relative Topics

  • Tooth Pain / Toothache
  • Tooth Crown Pain: Causes and Treatment
  • Tooth Pain and Sensitivity Before or After Filling

Why does my tooth hurt 4 days after a root canal?

If you have severe, sharp pain, or pain that's still very intense up to 1-2 weeks after your treatment, this is not normal at all, and it indicates that your root canal has failed, and the infection is still present in the tooth.

Should a root canal still hurt after 5 days?

So, when should you start to worry if you're experiencing pain and discomfort after a root canal? If you feel severe, sharp pain, your toothache persists, or your pain continues to last for more than 1 week after your root canal has been performed at Smillie Dental, you should get a follow-up with Dr. Joseph Smillie.

How long after a root canal should your tooth stop hurting?

Three to five days after your procedure, the pain should be gone. General discomfort around the tooth may last a few weeks and be most obvious when flossing, brushing, or eating. In limited cases patients may experience persistent post-operative discomfort.

Should a root canal hurt days later?

In most cases, the sensitivity and discomfort associated with a root canal should go away within a few days. If it does not get better, or if the pain is severe or unrelieved by home measures, it is important to call the endodontist or dentist for an evaluation.