A root canal has a bad reputation it doesn’t really deserve anymore. Modern anesthesia and technique make the procedure itself feel a lot like getting a filling — the discomfort people remember is usually from the infection that made the root canal necessary in the first place, not the treatment.
Before your appointment
We’ll take a digital X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and see exactly what’s happening below the gumline. If you’re anxious about the visit, ask us about sedation options — nitrous oxide, an oral sedative, or IV sedation can all take the edge off, depending on how you’d like to feel during treatment.
Eat a normal meal beforehand if you’re not being sedated. If you are, we’ll give you specific instructions about eating and drinking in the hours before your visit.
During the procedure
Once you’re numb, we open a small access point in the tooth, remove the infected or inflamed pulp, and clean and shape the canal inside the root. After that, we fill and seal it to prevent reinfection. Most root canals take one to two visits, depending on the tooth and how much infection is present.
You shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. Pressure, sure — but not sharp pain. If you do, tell us right away so we can add more anesthesia.
After your visit
Mild soreness for a day or two is normal, especially when you bite down. Over-the-counter pain relievers usually handle it fine. Avoid chewing on that side until any temporary filling has been replaced with a permanent restoration, and call us if the pain gets worse instead of better after a couple of days — that’s not typical and worth checking.
Many back teeth need a crown after a root canal, since the tooth structure that’s left can be more brittle without the crown protecting it. We’ll let you know at your visit whether that applies to you.
If you’re dealing with a toothache and think you might need a root canal, our root canal treatment page has more detail on signs, cost, and what to expect — or just reach out and we’ll take a look.
