Pain after root canal treatment (or RCT)

The aim of RCT is to remove infected or traumatised pulp from the canal. After the anaesthetic wears off, there may be a some pain where the pulp has been detached from the tooth. This should fade within a day or 2.

If there was an abscess under the tooth (infection that has spread beyond the tooth and into the bone) there will be a lot of healing to go on after treatment. There may also be some swelling. Contact your dentist if you are feeling ill or feverish, as antibiotics may be indicated.

If the pain is not improving by day 3, contact your dentist. It may be possible that the pain is coming from a different tooth. Try to identify which tooth the pain is coming from.