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Dentistry If there is one question that comes up again and again about root canal treatment, it is this:
Will it hurt?
The reputation of root canal treatment means you might be worried before you’ve even spoken to a dentist about what actually happens.
Root canal treatment is normally carried out using local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area.
The NHS explains that patients are usually awake during treatment but local anaesthetic is used so that they should not feel pain during the procedure.
That doesn’t mean everybody’s experience is identical, and it doesn’t mean you won’t notice anything at all.
Let’s separate what you might feel from what you might notice.
Normally, yes.
Local anaesthetic is used before treatment begins.
Your clinician will allow time for the anaesthetic to work and check the area before starting treatment.
Some teeth can be more challenging to numb than others, particularly where there is significant inflammation.
If you can still feel discomfort, tell your clinician.
You aren’t expected simply to put up with it.
Even when an area is numb, you can still be aware that dental treatment is taking place.
You might notice:
These sensations are different from pain.
If you are unsure about something you are feeling, tell your clinician.
There are probably several reasons.
One is that people often associate the pain that led to treatment with the treatment itself.
A tooth requiring root canal treatment can sometimes be extremely painful before the procedure.
There are also stories passed between friends, relatives and online communities – and difficult experiences naturally tend to be remembered and retold.
Dental techniques, anaesthesia and equipment have also changed over time.
None of that means we should promise you that treatment will be completely sensation-free.
It means that frightening stories aren’t a reliable prediction of your experience.
Tell us.
You won’t be the first person to say:
“I’m frightened of having a root canal.”
Knowing that you’re anxious helps your dental team support you.
Before treatment, it can be useful to agree:
Some people feel reassured by understanding everything.
Others would rather not hear a running commentary.
Both are reasonable.
Your tooth and the surrounding tissues may feel tender or sore after treatment.
The NHS advises that the area around the tooth can feel sore or swollen and should improve as it recovers.
How you feel will depend on the tooth and treatment you’ve had.
Your clinician will give you appropriate aftercare advice.
If you’re concerned about your symptoms after treatment, contact the practice.
The effect of local anaesthetic can continue after your appointment.
Your clinician will give you advice about eating and drinking while your mouth is numb.
Take care not to accidentally bite your lip, cheek or tongue while normal sensation is returning.
A tooth that is very inflamed can sometimes be more challenging to numb.
That doesn’t mean treatment should simply continue regardless of your comfort.
Your clinician will assess the situation and use appropriate anaesthetic techniques.
If you’ve experienced difficulty becoming numb during dental treatment before, tell us.
That is useful clinical information.
This isn’t a claim we would make.
Seeing a Specialist Endodontist doesn’t mean Evolve can promise a pain-free experience or that treatment will necessarily feel different from root canal treatment provided by another dentist.
Specialist endodontic care may be considered because of the complexity of the clinical problem, not as a guarantee about comfort or outcome.
At Evolve, Dr Alex Brett, Specialist Endodontist, provides specialist endodontic assessment and treatment.
Read: What is an endodontist and why might I need to see one?
Reality: Local anaesthetic is normally used. Experiences vary, and some tenderness after treatment can occur.
Reality: You may notice pressure, movement, vibration and other sensations even when the tooth is numb.
Reality: Some tenderness can occur following treatment. If you’re concerned about the amount of discomfort or how it is progressing, contact your clinician for advice.
Reality: Specialist status relates to recognised training and registration in a particular field. It isn’t a guarantee about pain or treatment outcome.
The most useful thing is to tell us what you’re worried about.
You can also:
Being informed can remove some of the uncertainty surrounding treatment.
You can agree a signal with your clinician before treatment begins so that you can let them know if you need their attention or a pause.
People experience local anaesthetic differently. You may notice the injection and some temporary discomfort as the anaesthetic is administered.
Local anaesthetic alone does not normally prevent you from driving, but individual circumstances can vary. Follow any specific instructions your clinician gives you, particularly if any medication or sedation has been used.
Follow the aftercare instructions you’ve been given. If the level of discomfort concerns you, symptoms are worsening or something doesn’t feel right, contact the practice.
Follow the treatment from assessment through to restoring the tooth.
Read: What happens during root canal treatment?
Or download:
What it means, what to expect and understanding your options
If you’d like to discuss specialist endodontic care with Evolve, you can self-refer or ask your dentist to refer you.
Speak to our team about an endodontic assessment
For independent information, see the NHS guide to root canal treatment.
Electric or manual toothbrush - which is better?
It`s one of those dental questions where almost everyone has an opinion.
But does buying an electric toothbrush automatically mean you`re doing a better job?
Richard tackles the question.
Whichever toothbrush you use, how you brush matters enormously - so don`t panic if there`s nothing rechargeable sitting beside your bathroom sink.
Now we`re curious...
Clear aligners or fixed braces - which is better?
Which is better - clear aligners or fixed braces?
Neither.
At least, not until we know more about you.
The right orthodontic treatment depends on your teeth, what you`d like to change, your lifestyle and a number of clinical considerations.
For some people, clear aligners can be a great option. For others, fixed braces may be more appropriate.
So rather than starting with:
“Which braces do you want?”
We`d much rather start with:
“What would you like to change about your smile?”
Swipe through to understand some of the differences.
💚 £338 raised for Macmillan Cancer Support! 💚
We had such a lovely time at our Macmillan Coffee Morning last week. ☕🍰
A huge thank you to everyone who popped into the practice, enjoyed a slice of cake, had a chat and made a donation. It was wonderful to see so many of our patients, friends and members of the local community getting involved, and we were genuinely touched by everyone’s generosity.
Together, you helped us raise an amazing £169.
And we’re delighted to share that Carol has very generously matched every pound raised, bringing our final total to…
🥁 £338 for Macmillan Cancer Support! 💚
Thank you to our brilliant team for baking, organising and keeping the cake table well stocked, and to every single person who helped make the day such an enjoyable one.
Days like this remind us just how lovely the community around Evolve really is. 💚
#MacmillanCoffeeMorning #MacmillanCancerSupport #Portishead #EvolveDentistry #PortisheadCommunity
Being shortlisted for Team of the Year means a lot to us, but not because of the trophy.
It’s because dentistry is never the work of one person.
It’s the nurse who notices you’re nervous before you’ve said a word. The reception team member who remembers the conversation you had last time. The clinician who takes time to explain something again. The person behind the scenes making sure your visit runs smoothly.
Those small things happen every day at Evolve, and they only happen because people care about the experience we create together.
So being a finalist gives us a lovely excuse to say something we probably don’t say often enough: we’re incredibly proud of this team.
#PrivateDentistryAwards #TeamOfTheYear #DentalTeam #EvolveDentistry
You might notice a familiar face missing from Evolve for a little while… 💚
Carol is heading to Zambia with SmileStar, a dental charity providing free dental care to communities with limited access to treatment.
In this video, Carol shares a little more about where she’s going, what she’ll be doing while she’s there and why she wanted to be part of the trip.
It’s going to be a very different couple of weeks away from the practice, and we’re incredibly proud to see Carol giving her time and skills to support SmileStar’s work.
We’ll be sharing a little more from her trip when we can, but for now, we’ll let Carol tell you all about it in her own words. 💚
Safe travels, Carol. We can’t wait to hear all about it when you’re home!
#EvolveDentistry #SmileStar #Zambia #Dentistry #Portishead
🍰 Come and join us today! 💚
Our Macmillan Coffee Morning is in full swing at Evolve Dentistry, and we’d love to see you!
We’ve got plenty of delicious homemade cakes waiting for you, so pop in, say hello, grab a slice (or two!) and help us raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
We’ll be serving cakes right through until 5pm today, so there’s still plenty of time to come down.
📍 Evolve Dentistry, Portishead
🍰 Cakes until 5pm
💚 Everyone is welcome
Come hungry! 😋
#MacmillanCoffeeMorning #MacmillanCancerSupport #Portishead #PortisheadCommunity #EvolveDentistry
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