When someone says “root canal,” most people shy away in fear. Thought of as the most painful, miserable dental procedure, the fear of getting hurt during a root canal keeps thousands away from the dentist every year. But should you really be scared about an impending root canal? Or is a root canal only a simple, routine procedure that dentists do every day?
Myth One: Root Canals are the Most Painful Dental Procedure
A root canal is not the most painful thing that you’ll have to endure during your life. In fact, most root canals result in less pain than the patient is already feeling. The reason to get a root canal is because the pulp of the teeth has been infected and is dying. During a root canal, your nerves are numbed just like they are numbed during a filling or extraction. Thus, a root canal is no more painful than these procedures. The American Associated of Endodontists suggests that the fear of root canals is due to how painful this procedure was in the past when modern medicine was not being used. These days, root canals are more annoyingly uncomfortable than painful.
Myth Two: I’ll be Fine without a Root Canal
Avoiding a root canal is not a way to avoid the pain! The need for a root canal arises because the pulp of your teeth has become infected. The pain of your teeth rotting from the inside out is far more serious than having a root canal done with analgesia. You can also suffer from serious infections if a dying tooth is left on its own for too long. Therefore, get a root canal before the rotting tooth becomes a problem. The pain you will be avoiding in the long run should be the only reason you need.
Myth Three: Root Canals Take Several Appointments
Many years ago, it was standard for root canals to take several appointments. These days, a root canal can usually be completed in one dentist visit. Sometimes, an extensive root infection will take two appointments to fix, but these instances are rare. You may need two appointments if your infection is so far gone that a dentist needs extensive time to repair the tooth. This is why seeing a doctor for a root canal sooner rather than later is important. Often, a dentist will suggest a root canal even if you aren’t feeling pain. For these low-key infections, your procedure should take only one appointment.
Myth Four: Your Teeth Will Break After a Root Canal
One hundred years ago, it wasn’t uncommon for a tooth to break after a root canal. This was due to the fact that these teeth weren’t getting the blood and nutrients they need. These days, many dentists crown teeth who have had root canal infections to prevent breakage.
Busting the Myths of Root Canals
When you think of getting a root canal, don’t automatically assume that it will be the most excruciating experience of your life. Instead, understand that root canal misconceptions arise from how the procedure was done over one hundred years ago. In those days, a root canal was painful. These days, modern medicine eases the pain and your worry. So, does a root canal hurt? Not nearly as much as you may think.
I had a root canal procedure done last year. It took two appointments and didn’t hurt at all. Also it wasn’t nearly as expensive as I thought it would be.
I’m trying to decide weather or not to get a root canal. It’s very expensive, and I don’t have insurance. I currently have a temp crown on (tooth was cracked, but has never had decay). After the crown prep, the tooth hurt a whole bunch to chew on. Now the pain is almost unnoticible, intermittent (maybe every 3-4 days), and only occurs after chewing hard food with the tooth all day long.
Both my dentist and the endodontist say the tooth does not show any sign of infection. The endodontist thinks the pain will resolve with a stronger permanant crown. The dentist is not certain I need a root canal either, but he thinks I should get one, just in case. He says that once the zirconia crown is on, if a root canal is done through the top, the hole in the crown will be impossible to seal because filling material does not bond well to zirconia and will eventually let in decay. He says it may not be possible to replace the crown without breaking my natural tooth and that I will likely end up losing the tooth if I have to have a root canal after the permanent crown is on. Because my teeth are naturally small, he says there is not enough room to do a porcelain fused to metal crown instead.
Other than cost, is there any real downside to having a root canal done on a tooth that doesn’t need it?
If I have the root canal done (it’s a first molar), is it likely to take more than one appointment if there is no pain or infection prior to the procedure?
I am getting a root canal today and im pretty nervous. Hopefully it wont be as painfull as everyone says
Ok, so during the root canal, I felt some small pinches of pai, but it wasnt intense. I now have to get a crown.
im having one on thursday. im scared as i have heard alot of horror storys. my dentist said to ignore the storys as its pain free?
I had my first root canal today. I had a white filling replaced and it went bad. I was so scared I almost didnt go. I was crying on the way there. I should not have been worried. My endodontist numbed me really good on the front at back of the gum. I had no pain at all. It took about thirty minutes. I am sore tonight which is normal. The terrible sensitivity in the tooth is gone already. I had my first cold drink in weeks. The tenderness is well relieved with the 800 milligram ibuprophen they gave me. In a few days i will start the crown prep. The worst is over now. Dont be scared. Its really just long and tedious, not painful.
I have to get one today at 8:00 am. But it did not hurt at all and I am 10 years old and I was a sleep during the root canal so it does not hurt
i have to one tomorrow i hope it wont hurt my freinds and parents say you cant feel it! The last time i went to the dentist the only thing was the sounds that got to me!
Im having root canal tomorrow very nervous hhope it goes well! I wonder if it hurts
I’m getting my first root canal in about 2 hours, I’ve been freaking myself out since last week. I’m glad I found this post it somewhat took the edge off but I’m still kinda nervous.
Im trying to decide if I should or shouldn’t get one. My tooth hurts a lot when I chew or drink cold drinks. So should I? My dentist already recommend it
im only 12 and gettin a root canal on 2/6. really scared and my teeth hurts relly bad rite now
I’m going to have one done tomorrow and I have heard a few stories, but I am hoping it’s not as bad as everyone states. I will post the outcome with all honesty.
I’m having a root canal done on 2/2 and i’m scared but i really want to be done with the pain i’m feeling now.
im 16 and getting root canal as soon as possible as i have an infection in my gum surrounding the nerve of my tooth. im really scared but these comments above about people saying it wont hurt is helping. fingers crossed everyone
I have to go get a root canal and I am freking scared peace
I had severe toth pain (first molar lower left side) for 2 weeks before calling a dentist in my area. I have no dental insurance but I do work full time.
My extreme fear of all doctors, dentists being the worst, kept me away from the dentist for 15 1/2 years. After agonizing in pain for 2 full weeks, most of those sleepless nights, I convinced myself to go to the dentist and that would be the ONLY way to relieve my pain.
So recluctantly I made an appointment for my first week day off. After working myself up all weekend I went in early for my checkup. Freaking out in the waiting room for almost an hour PAST my appointment time I’m finally called in for xrays of which I kept choking on the little xray tag in my mouth. I also had full mouth xrays where the xray machine circled my head not painful at all. Then I was asked to wait back up front until I’m called in. Finally 10 minutes later I’m called back and thankfully my new husband could come with me this time. After reviewing my xrays the doctor agreed that I have a bad cavity in 1/4th of my molar and it’s pretty far down close to the nerve. (My tooth was black!) I was mortified and angry at myself for letting this happen. He discussed with me my options which basically was going to a root canal specialist and having that dr start the root canal (the most painful part) then come back and have the regular dentist finish with the filling and the crown.
I was definitely NOT happy about more than one appointment. But I agreed through tears and called the specialist. 3 hours later I was in a chair awaiting my procedure. Shaking uncontrollably I made the nurse feel bad. The Dr came in to discuss my procedure and then the receptionist came in for payment which sucked given that I have no dental coverage. $1285.00 out of pocket kind of hurt worse than the procedure.
Then came the Nitrus Oxyde. I remember from previous fillings 20+ years ago. The Miss Piggy nose. The Nitrus never made me laugh (laughing gas) but it did work in making my whole entire body numb. Probably didn’t help that I was shaking uncontrollably through the calming Nitrus. Then comes the numbing q-tip. Believe it or not I felt ALL 4 SHOTS of novacaine! My tooth was THAT badly infected and sensitive it took 4 shots. The first and last one being the absolute worst. I had my eyes closed so I didn’t know when they were coming! The ‘cold tests’ they did hurt until the last shot kicked in. Then off they went. Scraping out the cavity and drilling into my gumline. At one point they put a clamp on my tooth and I couldn’t figure out why it hurt extra bad until they took it off. Oh so painful. Pain in my jaw immediately came. Even though my cheeks were fat and numbed my jaw was not. The whole procedure took just over an hour and the specialist was wonderful to me. He gave me 800mg of Ibprofen right away and told me I could keep taking it every 6-8 hours as I needed it for pain and inflamation. He called me the next day to check on me which was unexpected and so nice. I thanked him again and hoped to never need his services again.
The next day after my root canal with the specialists I went back to my regular dentist alone and scared for part 2 of 3. I decided to pay what I could up front and pray I could just leave after I was done.
I was called in almost right away. I held my composure until I found out I would need MORE Nitrus and more novacaine. I began uncontrollably shaking again and getting worked up. My jaw was already in pretty bad pain and I could not imagine another hour of torture. These nurses were okay but nothing like the specialist nurses. Since I had already paid I forced myself to go through with it telling myself the worst was over. BOY was I wrong!
They started me on the Nitrus and waited until I was semi relaxed. Then came the pain of novacaine. 2 MORE SHOTS UGH! Not nearly as bad but still hurt. Then came the procedure. I had that mouth guard thing to hold my mouth open and half way through the procedure both the dr and nurse walked out to give me a break and left the nitrus on (semi-unsupervised) and I couldn’t tell I was completely nauseated and I began to vomit on myself. They both came running in when they heard me moaning then gagging and vomiting. I had no food in my stomach for 36 hours due to the pain. I’m sure that didn’t help. I felt tied to the chair and stuck because of the heavy Nitrus. So I proceeded to vomit 4 times back to back pretty badly and I’m sure my face was covered. It got on my clothes and in my hair. Needless to say I was pretty upset being left alone and scared. Once I calmed down and the Nitrus was turned down a bit they finished the procedure and I was fitted for a temporary crown. I was so weak and tingly that I had to stay in the chair for 30 mintues since I had no ride and needed to drive myself home. The nurse gave me a cup of mouthwash to rinse with and sent me to the bathroom. I was afraid to look at myself I was sure I looked horrible. The mouthwash didn’t work I had no mobility in my mouth so it went in one side and out the other.
After cleaning up I had to stop at the desk (which I was hoping not to do) to make a THIRD appointment for my final crown fitting.
Today is the day after my 2-day ordeal and I’m still pretty painful in my jaw and still unable to eat much. I’m scared for my last appointment in 3 weeks but hopefully this will be it for a very long while.
I had one today. I read this page last night. I was terrified. It didn’t hurt one bit. I had headphones in and listened to music. Honestly, if you’re due a root canal and you’re worried, take it from me. It doesn’t hurt one bit. So don’t worry guys!!! Good luck
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im getting a root canal this weekend can u guys give me advice wat to do durning the root canala so i wont focus on it
In addition to my last post. Stock up on Ibuprofen. Your mouth will suffer trauma and may throb a couple of days following the procedure. I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty painful (in my case). Just be sure to speak to your dentist following the treatment. Ask for advice if anything were to happen.
Take care fellow root canal patients.
I had a root canal today and I did experience pain and discomfort. I would say it’s nowhere near as painful as what I was feeling with an accessed molar, though. Even though it hurt, it’s well worth it because I know longer feel the throbbing and pain that kept me up all night and not even Vicodin would alleviate.
I am supposed to call in for an appointment but my GF warned me to get some kind of pain pills like valume. I had some kind of anxiety attack when I went the first time, and now I’m nervous to set an appoinment, if I ask for extra numbing do you think I should be fine?? Ever since I can remember I was scared of the dentist and always felt the grinding during the filling procedure because I can feel pain easily and it hurts so bad when they get close to the nerve….when they keep grinding and grinding it’s so terrible I can’t even imagine how my root canal will go, if I’m scared of fillings!?!?!?!? Please someone give me some tips or reassurance PLEASE!!!
had one on saturday was soo scared but everything went fine and all am missing is a crown !! whoooa hoo
I just got a root canal done. Before that I had mixed feelings but it did not hurt at all during the process. Actually, the doctors give you some medicines due to which there is no pain. However, after the root canal, when the effect of the medicines has died, there is a little pain. It is bearable though.
I went to the dentist today at 12.15 due to weeks of pain in my tooth, I was told the problem was the nerve of my tooth was reacting with a recent filling. I was offered either a route canal or extraction, after all the horror stories I heard about route canals I chose to have the tooth extracted. But looking at this site I’m sure extraction hurt more than a route canal would of.
i’m getting my first root canal today, i’m scared out of my mind, but my dad, aunt, and friend’s sister said they aren’t that bad. the only part they disliked was the sharp grinding sound in their mouth.
I am having a root canal on Tuesday 3/20, I am scared to death because of the “stories” I have heard. However I had my entire lower gum line sliced open by my dentist and survived. Now that was pain!
I have just had the first stage of root canal work done and never felt a thing.Have two further appointments and dreading it.Can’t be as bad as the pain that I have had for the last 10 days
I am having my root canal tomorrow morning. I do not like the sounds of drills at the dentist office so I am freaking out just thinking about them for an hour. My daughter had a root canal at the age of 16 and she said the numbnes started to wear off towards the end of the procedure, but it was tolerable. These stories have helped some, still nervous though! I will pray over the hands that perform the procedure and pray all goes well.
I am getting a root canal today and I am extremely scared. I hope you guys are right.
I’ve had three root canals done in the past, the last one being three days ago and I must say while the procedure doesn’t hurt the recovery causes a little discomfort. The pain is more like a dull throbbing and not a needle or stabbing. It’s like hitting your big toe and the pain you feel after it wears off 20 minutes later (the pain doesn’t feel like initial big toe impact, but the way it feels 20 mins later). The only thing I hated was hearing the drill, but like someone else previously posted, if you wear a good set of headphones and turn the volume up on your ipod or MP3 you won’t be affected at all by the noise.
It would actually depend on the doctor whether or not he/she gives you the anesthesia to get rid of the pain during the root canal.
I am about to get 1 done today any minute now and I am scared to death. Everyone that I’ve asked has said that it was painful but my big sis said she didn’t feel anything when she had hers done. I’m so nervous. I’ll let everyone know how it goes.
Well I finally got it over with. They stuck me with 2 needles first and to tell u the truth I didn’t even feel them. They then waited a couple minutes for my mouth to be numb. The dentist told me if I felt any pain for me to raise my hand. When he began drilling I felt pain so I raised my hand and he stopped and gave me another shot. Not painful. He then proceeded drilling and I felt a little discomfort but not much. When he started pulling up the nerve I could feel it a little bit but it wasn’t unbearable. He shot me again with some more meds and keep going. After that I didn’t feel a thing. Thank God cause I was so scared. It wasn’t as bad as I thought.
i might be getting one done this week.. i am due to get a panoramic x-ray for my teeth tomorrow. root canal scares me off to death. i have a gum pus on my 1st molar tooth. im scared
Im going to have a root canal tomorrow and im extremely scared. Can someone please assure me that i will be fine!
its my back moler on the bottom! Do you think that will cause me alot of pain. Also the tooth is half broken so is that easier or harder on me
For all of you who are afraid why dont you ask to be put to sleep! It may cost a bit more but you will wake up and not even realise youve even gone to the dentist! I did it because i avoided the dentist for ten yrs and had to have a root canal. The fact i knew i was being put to sleep just in general made me calmer
i’m getting root canan as well and i’m really nervous
Had two root canals done today at the same time and it was horable
the dentist had complications with one of them because of an abscess and I was in the chair for 3 hours and by the end of it my mouth wasn’t numb anymore and I could feel every poke from the root canal cleaning needle tools it was very painful and tears were coming from my eyes it was really bad especially when the metal post were inserted because I guess they are heated up really hot then shoved in your root that was the worst part of the hole procedure felt like someone was putting a cigarette out in my mouth I had to go through it 6 different times for each root for two teeth it was insanely painful I felt like I was in a horror movie and my jaw still hurts 
im 15 and having root canal soon will i be put too sleep?