Dentist | Dentist Anesthesiologist Questions Dental anesthesia

Will I need anesthesia during root canal?

I'm going to have a root canal next week, and I'm just wondering--would anesthesia be used for a root canal? And if it is, does the anesthesia work so that I don't feel a thing of this procedure?

18 Answers

Definitely! If you are still feeling it during the procedure, inform your Dentist to add more. If you are feeling the pain, that means you are not numb.
You definitely need anesthesia for a root canal treatment. Should not feel a thing.
To put it simply, yes. Root canals are the best way to remove a painful or infected nerve from a tooth, but the procedure does cause inflammation around the tooth being treated and this could cause pain unless the tooth and the area around it are numb (aka anesthetized) These days root canals are typically painless or very low pain due to the strong, targeted anesthetics we have available.
YES. You will need (and want) local anesthesia for a root canal. The goal of anesthesia when properly and adequately administered is diffuse and profound numbness. At that point, a root canal, filling, or even an extraction should be able to be performed painlessly.
Better have anesthesia so that you will be more comfortable.
Usually, not!
Yes and yes
A root canal is usually easier for both the recipient and the provider if you are anesthetized.
I would most highly recommend anesthetic during a root canal.
Great question. A root canal is removal of nerve tissue within your tooth. Usually caused by bacteria that entered the nerve canal. To remove that inflamed tissue the Dr. will manipulate the inside of the tooth. It is very stimulating and with hurt like a Mother Hubbard if not numb or frozen as they call it in Canada. The anesthesia of the tooth is for pain control and comfort. It is not required but highly encouraged. Root canal are not the horrible thing they were 20 years ago. It won’t hurt with anesthesia but you will feel pressure. No more then pushing your finger into your leg gently. You will feel but not pain.

Dr Jensen
Yes, you would need freezing (local anesthetic) during the procedure. You should not feel anything painful after getting frozen although you will still feel pressure. Sometimes if a tooth is badly infected, you may require extra anesthetic to get the tooth completely numb.
Yes, you will need local anesthesia and once numb, you should not feel anything.

Owen M. Waldman, DMD
You will be totally numb and not feel a thing! We use local anesthesia and test it first to make sure you don’t have pain!

Sincerely,

Mary Grace Rizzo-Fryzel, DMD
Okay, you will be given a local anesthesia and if you start to feel something, they will give you a little more. There are no guarantees, but for the most part it should be pain-free.
During root canal therapy you should not feel a thing. The endodontist should be able to get your tooth totally numb. Don't worry!
You definitely need an anesthetic for a root canal, and that is the purpose of anesthetics so you should not feel any pain, and even if you feel any pain, the dentist can give you more anesthetic.
Thanks.
A local anesthetic is normally used to allow for a comfortable root canal procedure. Most patients experience no discomfort during the procedure. If you feel any pain occurring, placing additional local anesthetic will immediately alleviate the discomfort. Always best to discuss your concerns about a procedure with your dentist prior scheduling the appointment which often eliminates most concerns or fears about treatment.

Dr. Joe Ferraro
Most root canals are accomplished under local anesthetic and the patient does very well. It is very much like a filling in the area of discomfort.