Does a Root Canal Hurt?

Video Transcript

Does a root canal hurt? It's the most searched dental question on the internet. Let's answer it in 60 seconds. Decades ago, root canal procedures were different. Outdated tools, inadequate numbing, and guesswork made the experience uncomfortable. That reputation stuck — but the procedure has changed completely. Today's root canal treatment is essentially painless. 97% of patients report the procedure felt no worse than getting a filling. Modern endodontists use a surgical microscope to see the inside of your tooth at up to 25× magnification, and CBCT 3D scanners to map every canal before treatment begins. Profound anesthesia is the foundation. Your comfort is verified before any work begins. Step one: topical gel pre-numbs the area completely. Step two: buffered anesthetic is warmed and pH-neutralized for comfort. Step three: verification — we don't start until you confirm 100% numbness. For teeth that are acutely inflamed and difficult to numb, we use supplemental intraosseous and intraligamentary techniques that deliver anesthetic directly to the bone beside the tooth. Every comfort level is covered. We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for light relaxation while you stay fully awake, and oral sedation for patients who need deeper relaxation. We do not offer IV sedation. An untreated infection gets worse — not better. The root canal procedure relieves the pain; it doesn't cause it. The longer you wait, the more complex and uncomfortable treatment can become. Dr. Jason Kung, DDS, MS — Specialist Endodontist. 1565 Hollenbeck Avenue, Suite 106, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. Call (669) 234-2354 or visit svendodontics.com.