So I was informed by one of my professional journals that this past week was “Root Canal Awareness Week,” which explains why I had noticed scores of people running fearfully down the streets of Manhattan while screaming in pain. (I’m only joking; not the part about root canal awareness but about the people running around the city in abject terror.) But the fact is that root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, is THE MOST FEARED dental procedure.

Mention root canal to a person who has never had the experience, and images from the movie Marathon Man come to mind; you know the scene when Lawrence Olivier drills into Dustin Hoffman’s tooth sans Novocain, interrogating him, “Is it safe?” (Makes waterboarding seem almost benign.) So ingrained in our culture is the torment of root canal that the idiom, “I’d rather have a root canal” has become synonymous with an absolute worst case scenario: that a situation is so bad that one would rather “be subjected” to a root canal is based on the almost universal misconception that root canal is horribly horrifying.

Much of this perception stems from early treatment methods used many decades ago to perform the procedure. Due to these now antiquated techniques and less effective anesthetics available at the time, the misery associated with root canal therapy has been indelibly imprinted upon our collective memories.

While a toothache due to an inflamed nerve or abscess can be excruciating, root canal therapy is most often completely painless. Modern dentistry, with all of its advances, has essentially made painful root canal treatment, a thing of the past. In my experience, the patients most fearful of root canal are those who never had it before and believe me, when I tell you the apprehension felt is as intense as it is visceral.

Calm reassurance and a gentle caring approach work wonders to lessen the anxiety; but it isn’t until that first visit is over and the patient looks up and says almost incredulously, “That’s it?” that they believe that there is such a thing as painless root canal. Many “first timers” actually doze off at some point. (I said root canal is painless, I didn’t say it wasn’t boring.)

What Happens During Painless Root Canal Treatment?

First, we make sure you’re comfortable. We offer you headphones to listen to the music of your choice or watch TV. (Strangely cooking shows are the #1 request). My dental assistant sits right next to you and holds your hand if you like. I usually tell you a couple of jokes, too (to make you relax). It’s hard to be scared when you’re laughing.

Then we get your mouth really, really numb. I don’t do anything until I’m sure you won’t feel anything.

Next, I make a small opening in the center of the tooth that enables me to gain entry to the dental pulp which contains the nerve. It’s pretty much the same experience as having a cavity filled. This initial step is usually accomplished very quickly and is the only drilling performed during the entire procedure.

Once your tooth’s pulp is uncovered, I used special instruments to remove it, and the nerve. Nope, I don’t remove the root of your tooth…I remove the pulp inside it. (I often wonder, if we had a different name for root canal, maybe people wouldn’t be so scared.)

After everything is cleaned out and thoroughly disinfected, the area once occupied by the pulp is hermetically sealed with an inert filler called gutta-percha.

And that’s it! Painless root canal. And, the entire procedure can often be accomplished in a single visit, but sometimes a second or third visit is required because the tooth must be properly restored with a crown or onlay to protect it from fracturing.

What I just described is of a typical painless root canal. Of course, there can be variations to this theme, such as when there is the presence of an infection or abscess. But the objectives of remain the same: make you comfortable, remove the tooth’s pulp, disinfect, and seal the tooth to prevent future infections.

One Last Point 

If you’re facing root canal therapy and have a lot of fear and anxiety, you need to know that the actual treatment is usually painless and even uneventful. Don’t try to be tough – tell your dentist you’re scared. He or she has heard it countless times before.

Painless root canal is possible for you!

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Dr. Michael Sinkin is a NYC dentist that has been in practice for over two decades. He truly cares about the experience his patients have and takes great pride in making them feel relaxed and comfortable during every visit. Come in for an appointment and experience a different kind of dental practice. To find out more about Dr. Sinkin, please click here.

• 7 Things To Consider When Having Cosmetic Dentistry 
• Dental Crowns – 9 Reasons You May Need One
• Dental Exams: Not Just For Your Teeth

Dr. Michael Sinkin is a NYC dentist that has been in practice for over two decades. He truly cares about the experience his patients have and takes great pride in making them feel relaxed and comfortable during every visit. Come in for an appointment and experience a different kind of dental practice. To find out more about Dr. Sinkin, please click here.