Understanding Pain Levels in Dentistry

When it comes to dental work, one of the most common questions we get is: “How painful is it going to be?” Here’s a breakdown of typical dental procedures and what you can expect on a 1–10 pain scale.

Routine Cleanings

A standard cleaning should be about a one, maybe a 1.5 or 2 if you’ve got kind of sensitive teeth.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing are probably in the 3 to 4 range because sometimes you have to be numb, and sometimes that tissue does have to be manipulated to get access to the things underneath the gum tissue. You can have some soreness and tenderness after the numbness wears off.

Implantes dentales

Implants are probably in the three to 4 range, depending on if you had to have an extraction beforehand or if there’s any kind of tissue manipulation that goes on. Basically, expect some soreness for the next couple of days.

X-Rays

X-rays should be a one. There are some people that have bony outgrowths in their mouth called tori, or have smaller mouths that make it a little bit uncomfortable. Sometimes we have to use child-sized X-rays to accommodate those patients. But generally speaking, X-rays should be in the one range.

Root Canals

Root canals fall into two categories. If the tooth is not painful beforehand, the amount of pain or discomfort is probably in the 2 range because you’re able to get numb, remove the nerve, and everything is fine. If the tooth is infected or already in a lot of pain going into the root canal, sometimes it’s hard to get numb, and that can be an unpleasant experience. I’d say that could possibly be in the 6 to 7 range in the worst-case scenario.

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction pain is in the three to four range depending on a lot of factors. If there’s a lot of tooth anchored in the root and it’s an involved extraction, it can be a little uncomfortable to heal from. If the tooth is already mobile and it’s really just tissue holding it in, it’s typically easier.

Fillings and Impressions

Fillings should be in the one to two range. Dental impressions might also be in that 1 to 2 range. It’s not necessarily painful, it’s more about the gag reflex or the uncomfortable feeling of having a mouthful of material for a short period of time.

Crown Prep

Crown prep should be in that 3 to 4 range. Ideally, you’re numb for the entire procedure, but sometimes there can be some residual tenderness and soreness because we did have to remove tooth structure. You’ll leave with either a temporary crown or a permanent crown, and the tooth might let you know it had some work done.

Dry Socket

Dry socket after an extraction is a 9 or a 10. That is one of the most painful things in dentistry. Typically, with the right surgical procedure and the right processes, those are avoidable—but sometimes, just the way the body heals, they’re unavoidable, and they can be pretty painful.

I’m Dr. Brett Langston, prosthodontist and owner of Dental Implant Aesthetic Specialists here in Brookhaven, Georgia, and I’m here to help you watch your mouth.