Myths About Root Canals and Root Canal Pain

Root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain — it relieves it.

The idea that root canals are painful took hold decades ago, but with modern technology and anesthetics, treatment today is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. In fact, patients who’ve actually had root canal treatment are six times more likely to describe it as “painless” than patients who haven’t.

Most patients come in with a severe toothache caused by damaged tissue inside the tooth. Root canal treatment removes that damaged tissue — which is exactly what relieves the pain you’re feeling.

There’s no valid scientific evidence linking root canal–treated teeth to disease elsewhere in the body.

This claim traces back to poorly designed, century-old research that’s been thoroughly debunked — you can read the full history on our Root Canal Safety page. A root canal is a safe, effective procedure designed to eliminate bacteria from an infected tooth, prevent reinfection, and save your natural tooth.

• Bacteria are present in the mouth and teeth at all times, even in teeth that have never had a cavity. A healthy immune system clears it within minutes — presence of bacteria isn’t the same as infection or a health threat.
• Tooth extraction is actually the more traumatic procedure, and causes a significantly higher rate of bacteria entering the bloodstream than root canal treatment does.
• There’s no adequate replacement for a natural tooth. Root canal treatment is usually more cost-effective than extraction and implant placement, and lets most patients keep their natural teeth for life.

Saving your natural tooth, if possible, is the best option.

Nothing fully replaces a natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes mean avoiding certain foods, while keeping your own teeth helps you maintain the varied diet your body needs. If extraction is recommended, it’s always worth asking whether root canal treatment is an option instead.

Root canal treatment is usually less expensive than extraction followed by a bridge or implant, has a very high success rate, and placing a bridge or implant typically requires more time and can affect neighboring teeth. Millions of root canal–treated teeth are still serving patients well, years after treatment.