Duration of healing | Duration of a root canal treatment

Duration of healing

Once you have survived the root canal treatment at the dentist and the tooth has been treated, the healing process begins. It is not possible to give an exact time frame for this, because every body reacts differently to an intervention and takes different time to heal. Furthermore, the initial situation is also decisive.

The greater the inflammation and the more complex the procedure, the longer the healing phase. It is also typical for the healing process that pain may still occur after the procedure, but this is part of the recovery process and should not unsettle the patient. Only if the pain does not get weaker and lasts for a long period of time is it necessary to have another check-up at the dentist.

In order to accelerate the healing process, it is primarily important to allow the body to rest and thus give it the strength to regenerate. This includes avoiding stress and providing enough sleep. Alcohol, coffee or nicotine should be avoided during this time, as it irritates the existing wound and delays healing. It is also important that the healing process is checked again by the dentist in order to assess the progress and to be able to clarify any uncertainties or problems in the healing process early on.

Duration of pain

In most cases, root canal treatment is preceded by severe pain because bacteria have penetrated the inside of the tooth. A root canal treatment eliminates the cause of the pain, but pain can still occur after the procedure. However, since this pain is part of the healing phase, it is not a cause for concern and is a sign that the body is regenerating.

The duration of this pain cannot be estimated exactly, as the duration of the healing process is very individual. Usually the pain subsides within a few days, but in rare cases it can last longer depending on the treatment. The pain during the healing process can be relieved with common painkillers.

This should be discussed with the doctor treating you. However, if the pain lasts longer, a dentist should be consulted. He or she can assess the situation and determine whether the healing process is proceeding normally or whether pathogens that cause the pain have remained in the root canal. If this is the case, the root canal filling must be revised.