A root canal involves the removal of pulp, the soft tissue within a tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. After removal, the pulp chamber is cleaned and sealed. A root canal is used to treat a tooth with an infected or injured pulp.
Read the patient stories below for information and advice about having a root canal. Learn about common concerns, including pain, what to expect during the procedure, and recovery time.
Patient Advice
Preparation for Root Canal:
“People sometimes get nervous about a root canal, but there’s nothing to worry about, there’s no pain.”
“If you have dental anxieties, share it with the doctor.”
“Find a doctor with a gentle, friendly demeanor.”
“Look for a doctor who has performed many root canals and has the latest technology and equipment.”
“Work out a signal with the dental team — maybe raising your hand — that you can do during the procedure if you need the dentist to pause.”
During and After Root Canal:
“Report and pain or discomfort.”
“Carefully go over aftercare with the doctor.”
Patient Stories
Root Canal
Something on an X-ray had indicated an infection at the root, and my jaw was trying to wall it off with calcification. We wanted to avoid bone loss so we did root canal. Read More
Claudia, female, 64, Massachusetts
Root Canal
I had a bad root in a top tooth and my dentist recommended a root canal. Read More
Dave, male, 60, New Jersey
Root Canal
My tooth had been hurting for a year, the dentist could not find any fractures or reason for the pain on X-rays, and a temporary cap (to repair any possible microfractures) failed to help. So I needed a root canal. Read More
Ken, male, 41, Massachusetts
Root Canal
I went to the dentist because I had extreme sensitivity in one of my back molars. My dentist examined the tooth and exposed some of the infected nerve tissue, which made the pain even worse. I was referred to an endodontist and was able to schedule the root canal for that evening. Read More
Katie, female, 27, New York
Root Canal
I had a hole in my tooth so I went to see my dentist about getting it filled. The doctor found a cavity that was down to the root so he advised a root canal to stop the pain and save my tooth. Read More
Paul, male, 26, New Jersey
Root Canal
My dentist saw the beginning of an abscess and recommended I see an endodontist for a root canal. I was quite nervous about going since I had never had a root canal or been to this particular endodontist. But as soon as I stepped into the office, I began to be reassured. Read More
Denise, female, 38, Massachusetts
Root Canal
A tooth broke during a meal. It was determined that I needed a root canal. Unfortunately, after the root canal it was evident that the tooth had broken too close to the gum, so I needed surgery to raise the gum so that the crown would sit right. Read More
Jonathan, male, 45, Massachusetts
Root Canal
I had a cavity that was too far gone and needed to be drilled to remove the nerves in the canal of the tooth. Read More
Bruce, male, 29, New Jersey
Root Canal
The pain was so bad from my broken tooth that I called my dentist on Easter for a prescription. I was in excruciating pain with really bad headaches and sensitivity to hot and cold foods. Instead he offered to perform the root canal that morning.
Read More
George, male, 25, Massachusetts
