You've had your root canal done. The dentist said it went well. But the tooth still hurts. This is more common than you might think — and it doesn't automatically mean something went wrong.

Root canal treatment involves cleaning inside your tooth and removing infected nerve tissue. Even though the nerve is gone, the surrounding tissues can still be inflamed. This is called post-operative pain and it usually settles within a week or two.

Sometimes the ligament that holds your tooth in place gets irritated during treatment. That ligament surrounds your tooth root, and it can ache when you bite down or press on the tooth.

Yes — to a point. Mild tenderness when chewing or touching the tooth is normal for up to two weeks. Over-the-counter pain relief like ibuprofen often helps.

What isn't normal is severe pain that gets worse after the first few days, or swelling that develops. If that happens, call your dentist — there may be an infection or a complication that needs attention.

If your tooth felt fine immediately after treatment but started hurting months or years later, that's a different situation. It could mean the canal has become reinfected, or a crack has developed in the tooth.

Your dentist will take an X-ray to see what's happening beneath the surface. They might recommend retreatment, microsurgery, or other options depending on what they find.

Most root canal treatments are successful. Discomfort immediately after treatment is common and usually temporary. Your dentist wants to help you through it — so don't hesitate to get in touch if something doesn't feel right.

We're here to make sure your tooth heals properly and you get the outcome you expect.

Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com

Meads Village Dental Practice