Does Your Tooth Still Hurt After a Root Canal?

If you’re still experiencing pain after a root canal, you may be wondering why. Aren’t root canals meant to take your pain away? There are many reasons why your tooth may still be hurting. It is possible that the base of your tooth root (periapical) is still slightly tender or that your pain is caused by a temporary filling that is a bit too high. In these cases, taking OTC painkillers, preferably ibuprofen, may be all you need to alleviate your pain while your root canal heals.

However, if you’ve had a root canal at our practice in Easton, PA and are still experiencing pain that is severe or persistent, you should call our office immediately. The dentist may need to prescribe you an antibiotic to make sure the infection does not remain, or she may need to perform retreatment.

At your follow-up appointment, Dr. Alan Dilsaver will want to know what type of pain you are experiencing. Is your tooth sensitive to hot and cold? Is it the tooth root that is sensitive or the gums that are over the tooth? Is it a constant ache, or does it only hurt when biting? Is there any swelling, drainage or pus? The answers to these questions will give Dr. Dilsaver the information he needs to diagnose your pain.

Root canals don’t always work, and there are many reasons for this, including fractures of the root, convoluted or twisted root structures and failure to protect the root canal after the procedure. If this occurs, you may need further treatment. If the root canal was successful, it should feel normal most of the time.

To schedule an appointment at Lehigh Valley Smiles, call (610) 252-7414. For more information, please visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.   

Root Canals from Dr. Alan Dilsaver

If the root of your tooth becomes infected, it is important to first try and save the tooth rather than extracting it and replacing it with an artificial restoration. This is because restorations, such as implants or bridges, are both expensive and not as beneficial to your oral health as having your own root supporting your tooth.  To avoid extracting a tooth, Dr. Alan Dilsaver performs root canal procedures, which can effectively save your tooth and relieve your pain in Easton, PA.

Root canals can be performed with new 3D technology and rotary instruments that provide improved quality and efficiency and less pain. During the procedure, Dr. Dilsaver will remove the infection by first applying a local anesthetic to the area and then creating an opening in the canal. With his rotary instruments, he is able to remove the infected tissue and clean the area before filling the canal with a sealant to protect from further infection. Teeth that have root canals performed on them also usually require a crown to protect it from fractures, as well as improve the appearance and strength of the tooth. Once the procedure is complete and any soreness subsides, you will be able to eat without pain and sensitivity.

If you’re in pain, you can stop you’re suffering by scheduling an appointment with Lehigh Valley Smiles. Call (610) 252-7414. For more information, please visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Rotary Endodontics

If you’ve had a root canal performed to save an infected tooth, it probably didn’t occur to you to ask what type of tools your dentist was using. However, if your dentist used the old, manual method of removing infection, the procedure may have been nerve racking. That’s why here, at Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver uses rotary endodontics technology for root canals.


Proving a smoother, more comfortable experience during root canals, rotary endodontics technology allows Dr. Dilsaver to remove the infected pulp in the inner root canal more quickly, more smoothly and with less chance of complications. Rotary endodontics utilizes electric instruments, rather than the traditional, stainless steel files. The electric hand tool is made of nickel titanium and is much more flexible than stainless steel, which means that it can be inserted into the curved root canal without damaging the passageway.


We prefer to use rotary endodontics at our practice because it is smoother, more consistent and quicker than the traditional method. In addition, the tools are much quieter, without the grinding noise that other tools produce, which will help to put you at ease during the procedure. This is why both our patients and we prefer this technology. While the manual method works adequately at saving teeth during root canals, rotary endodontics tools are much less scary and easier to use.


Schedule an appointment with us by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.