No, a root canal should not hurt. The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so the appointment feels much like having a filling: pressure and movement rather than pain. Most of the discomfort people associate with root canals comes from the infection beforehand, which the treatment relieves.
The reputation is decades out of date. Techniques, instruments and anaesthetics have all changed, and for most patients the appointment is far less eventful than they expect.
Why Root Canals Have a Painful Reputation
People usually arrive for a root canal already in pain. An infected or dying nerve is genuinely painful, and because that pain is what leads to the appointment, the two get associated in memory. The treatment is what removes the source of it.
Older techniques were also slower and less comfortable than current ones. Modern instruments clean and shape the canals more efficiently, which means less time in the chair.
What You Will Actually Feel
Before treatment: the tooth and surrounding area are fully numbed. We check that the anaesthetic has taken effect before starting, and we top it up if needed at any point.
During treatment: pressure, vibration and the sensation of your dentist working, but not sharp pain. If anything feels uncomfortable, you raise a hand and we stop.
Afterwards: the numbness wears off over a few hours. The tooth is often a little tender for a few days, particularly when biting, and this usually settles with ordinary over-the-counter pain relief.
If You Feel Anxious About Treatment
Dental anxiety is common and nothing to apologise for. Tell us before we start, so we can pace the appointment to suit you, explain each step as we go, or say nothing at all if you would rather not know the details. Happy gas is available and many anxious patients find it makes the difference between avoiding treatment and getting it done.
What Hurts More: Treatment or Waiting?
Waiting, almost always. An untreated infected tooth generally gets worse, and the pain can escalate to the point of disturbing sleep. Infection can also spread into the surrounding bone, which makes treatment more involved and recovery longer. If pain stops on its own, that does not necessarily mean the problem has resolved, when a nerve dies the pain often settles while the infection continues quietly.
How Long Does the Discomfort Last Afterwards?
Most patients are comfortable within two to three days, with tenderness on biting fading over that time. Contact us if pain increases after the first few days, if swelling develops, or if the tooth feels significantly high when you bite, each is straightforward to address.
What Treatment Involves and What It Costs
If you are weighing up treatment, our root canal treatment page explains what happens at each visit, and our root canal cost guide sets out the fees: around $1,200 for a front tooth, $1,900 for a premolar and $2,500 for a molar.
Book an Appointment in Sydney CBD
If a tooth is painful, having it assessed early usually means simpler treatment. We will explain what is happening and what it will cost before anything begins. No referral is needed.
Book an appointment, or call (02) 8252 7677.
