Does root canal treatment for pulpitis hurt?

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on January 29, 2025
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During the treatment process of pulpitis root canal, there will be some pain. Pulpitis is caused by bacterial infection that leads to inflammation of the dental nerve, and the pain is very intense. First, the ocular nerve should be treated, and pulp extraction can be performed under local anesthesia. During this stage, if anesthetic is administered, the pain will not be so apparent. If no local anesthesia is applied, it is still possible to proceed directly with opening the pulp chamber, but there will be intense pain at the moment of opening. After opening the pulp chamber, the pressure is relieved, and the pain symptoms of pulpitis often can be alleviated. Additionally, medication can be sealed into the root canal, and after controlling the inflammation, the root canal can be filled. During the process of sealing medication and filling the root canal, stimulation of the root apex area may cause discomfort in that area.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Remedies for Tooth Pulpitis Pain at Night

Pulpitis pain is a type of acute pain that occurs after the dental nerve is infected by bacteria. The pulp tissue is a soft tissue, surrounded by the hard dentin and bone. Therefore, once the pulp tissue is infected, the pressure inside the pulp cavity increases rapidly, and if this pressure is not relieved, it can lead to sharp, severe pain, especially at night, often waking one from sleep. Pulpitis pain at night first requires prompt medical attention, followed by pulp opening and drainage. After the inflammation subsides, it can effectively relieve the pain. If medical attention is not available in time, oral analgesics can be taken for pain relief.

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Written by Tian Hua
Otolaryngology
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Late stage symptoms of pulpitis

Pulpitis, due to long-term lack of thorough treatment and chronic inflammation, can lead to partial or complete necrosis of the dental pulp. Acute pulpitis, when stimulated by cold or heat, causes severe tooth pain. If the dental pulp becomes purulent or partially necrotic, which is in the late stage of pulpitis, then surgical treatment is required. The best method in this situation is surgical treatment, including dental pulp therapy. Through effective dental pulp treatment, the inflammation and necrotic tissue inside the root canal of the tooth is completely removed, and finally, the canal is permanently filled. This allows the patient’s tooth to no longer feel pain and continue to function for chewing.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Is the effect of infusion therapy good for pulpitis?

The effectiveness of intravenous therapy for pulpitis is not good. Firstly, pulpitis is an inflammatory pain caused by bacterial infection of the dental nerve. If the inflammation is confined within the root canal and does not spread to cause a systemic gap infection, then the effect of intravenous therapy is poor. Intravenous therapy is just an auxiliary treatment that circulates through the body to reach the tooth tissue, and its effect might not be very noticeable. The primary treatment for pulpitis should involve treating the tooth, removing the infected dental tissue. If the dental nerve is not fully exposed, soothing treatment can be performed, which is also a nerve-preserving treatment method for reversible pulpitis. If the decayed tissue is removed and the dental nerve is exposed, indicating that bacteria have infected the dental nerve, soothing treatment is not possible, and root canal treatment of the tooth is necessary. Only then can the symptoms of pulpitis be alleviated.

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Otolaryngology
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How is pulpitis treated?

Pulpitis is an emergency in dentistry, and different types of pulpitis require different treatment methods. The first step in treating pulpitis is to administer anesthesia, and if time allows, root canal treatment should be completed in one session. Root canal treatment involves removing and cleaning the dental nerve inside the root canal in one go, then using dental cement and paste to fill the root canal, thereby inhibiting bacterial growth and reproduction. Generally, three to four root canal treatments are needed. Medication treatments include cephalosporins, erythromycin, and pain relievers to alleviate pain. Additionally, tooth extraction may be advised for severe inflammation and poor dental condition.

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Do I go to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for pulpitis?

Pulpitis requires a visit to the department of stomatology or the department of dental cariology and endodontics. Some hospitals, with more detailed department divisions, differentiate between adults and children. Generally, individuals under 18 years old fall under the pediatric dentistry department. Those 18 and older need to visit the department of dental cariology and endodontics. Pulpitis is a painful condition caused by bacterial infection of the dental nerve, clinically manifested by pain when eating, night-time pain, localized pain, and worsening pain upon exposure to hot and cold stimuli. Treatment for pulpitis involves root canal therapy. This involves drilling to remove the infected dental tissue, then performing root canal medicament filling, followed by inflammation control and root canal filling.