Does a Root Canal Hurt?

Video Transcript

Does a root canal hurt? It's the most searched dental question on the internet. Modern root canal treatment is essentially painless: 97% of patients report it felt no worse than getting a filling. Decades ago the experience was uncomfortable, and that reputation stuck — but the procedure has changed completely. Today endodontists use a surgical microscope at up to 25× magnification and CBCT 3D scanning, profound verified anesthesia (topical pre-numbing, warmed buffered anesthetic, and confirmation of 100% numbness before any work begins, plus supplemental intraosseous and intraligamentary techniques for acutely inflamed teeth), and sedation options including nitrous oxide and oral sedation. The root canal relieves the pain of an untreated infection — it doesn't cause it — so the real pain is waiting.