How painful is it to get a root canal?

Not painful: Root canals can be painful if it is a hot tooth. This means that the tooth is badly infected and local novocaine will not work well.

Not so painful: More people are afraid of the treatment, but once they have it they realize it was not that painful.

Not painful: Root canal treatments are not painful at all. You would feel the initial shot of anesthesia. You may feel some soreness after treatment. Root canal, when done and filled properly will save your tooth . It will need a crown later.

Not so much: The procedure itself should be performed without pain. Many times it is the pain leading up to the procedure that patients associate with root canal. During the root canal, the tooth is 100% numb. Sometimes the tooth is a little sore after, but any discomfort is easily managed with OTC medications such as Advil or Tylenol (acetaminophen). Remember, a root canal is done to relieve pain, not cause it.