Published: October 4, 2026 | Last updated: October 4, 2026
Dr. Rajanbir Singh Thind, Thind Dental Clinic
Here is something most people do not expect: a 2026 review of patient studies from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Turkey found that nearly 80% of patients wrongly believed a root-canal-treated tooth becomes brittle, according to a 2026 scoping review in the Saudi Dental Journal. Fear of root canals is often built on myths, not on what the treatment feels like today.
Is root canal treatment painful nowadays?
Root canal treatment is usually not painful during the procedure, because the tooth is numbed first, and any soreness afterwards is typically mild and settles within a week. In a 2025 Scientific Reports trial of 80 patients, average pain scores on a numerical rating scale fell from about 2 at 24 hours to about 1.5 at day 7. The worst pain most patients feel comes from the infected tooth before treatment, not from the treatment itself. A dentist who explains each step and confirms numbness before starting makes the experience far more comfortable.
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a procedure that removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, cleans and shapes the canals, and seals them so the natural tooth can stay in your mouth. It is performed within endodontics, the dental specialty concerned with the dental pulp.
The goal is to save a tooth that would otherwise need extraction. Saving it protects chewing ability and avoids the cost and time of replacing a missing tooth later.
How common is fear of root canal treatment, and is it justified?
Fear is common but largely unjustified by how treatment actually feels. The same 2026 Saudi Dental Journal review reports that dental fear and anxiety affects approximately 15% of the adult population and is a significant obstacle to oral healthcare.
It also found that fear of procedural pain, previous negative dental experiences and misconceptions about root canal complexity are leading psychological barriers. When patients received quality information, up to 85% expressed a preference for root canal treatment to preserve their natural teeth over extraction, according to the same 2026 review.
The lesson is simple: patients who understand the procedure choose to save their tooth. Patients who delay out of fear often end up in emergency care.
How much does a root canal hurt afterwards, day by day?
Most patients report mild soreness that improves quickly. In an 80-patient randomized trial published in 2025 in Scientific Reports (PubMed), pain scores after single-visit root canal treatment with two different rotary file systems were low at 24 hours and lower again at day 7.
| Time after treatment | Group 1 (ProTaper) average score | Group 2 (M-Pro) average score |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | 2.3 | 2.1 |
| 7 days | 1.6 | 1.3 |
The authors, Khallaf, Aly and Mohamed, found no significant difference between the two groups at either point. They also note that earlier systematic reviews recorded post-endodontic pain ranging from 3 to 58%, which shows that how a clinic plans and carries out treatment matters.
Does finishing a root canal in one visit hurt less than several visits?
Not necessarily. A 2025 systematic review in BMC Oral Health by Kumar and colleagues analysed 13 studies (12 randomized trials and 1 prospective study) and found that 8 reported no difference in postoperative pain between single-visit and multiple-visit root canal treatment (BMC Oral Health, 2025).
The authors concluded there is insufficient convincing evidence that one or more appointments produces a remarkably different incidence of postoperative discomfort. So choose the plan that fits your tooth and your schedule, not the one that sounds fastest.
What do endodontists say about root canal pain today?
Specialists say the experience has changed. Dr. Frederic Barnett, an endodontist and chairman of dental medicine at the Einstein Healthcare Network, told the American Association of Endodontists:
"The overwhelming majority of cases that are done now are painless." (American Association of Endodontists)
Pain that does occur is usually tied to the infection that made treatment necessary. That is why an early visit is gentler than a late one.
How should you choose a dentist for a root canal?
Choose a clinic that treats comfort, hygiene and clear communication as part of the treatment, not as extras. The evidence above points to three things that shape your experience: how well the procedure is explained, how carefully pain is managed, and how safely the clinic runs.
- Explanation first: patients who receive quality information are far more likely to prefer saving the tooth.
- Modern equipment and technique: digital imaging and laser-assisted tools help a dentist plan precisely and treat gently.
- Verified hygiene standards: accreditation such as NABH shows that infection control is audited, not assumed.
- Continuity of care: a team that knows your history can follow up and catch problems early.
What should you look for before you book a root canal?
Look for a clinic that lets you ask every question before any treatment starts. Use this checklist:
- Look for a clinic that explains the diagnosis with images and a clear treatment plan.
- Look for a clinic that confirms the tooth is fully numb before starting and asks you to signal if you feel anything.
- Look for a clinic with NABH-approved hygiene and sterilisation standards you can ask about.
- Look for a team with long experience in saving natural teeth, ideally with more than one dentist to consult.
- Look for convenient locations and flexible appointments so follow-up visits are easy to keep.
- Look for a written estimate in rupees (inclusive of GST) before work begins.
Where can you get a comfortable root canal in Ludhiana?
Thind Dental Clinic offers NABH-approved root canal treatment and laser dentistry across three locations in Ludhiana, Punjab, led by Dr. Rajanbir Singh Thind and Dr. Gurinder Kaur Thind. Our approach matches the checklist above: we explain your diagnosis, plan pain control before we begin, and aim to save your natural tooth wherever possible.
You can learn about our root canal and general dentistry services on thind.com.
What is the easiest next step if your tooth is bothering you?
The easiest next step is a conversation, not a commitment. You can book a free smile assessment and consultation at thind.com, where we will examine your tooth, show you what we find, and explain your options and costs in rupees before anything is done.
Frequently asked questions
Is root canal treatment painful nowadays?
Treatment is usually comfortable because the tooth is numbed beforehand. Afterwards, mild soreness is common and typically eases within about a week. Severe or worsening pain should be reported to your dentist.
How do I know if I need a root canal or just a filling?
A filling is used when decay has not reached the pulp. A root canal is needed when the pulp is infected or inflamed, which often shows up as lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, throbbing pain or swelling. Only an examination and an X-ray can confirm which you need.
Can tooth pain disappear without treatment?
Pain can fade even though the problem remains. When the pulp dies, the pain may stop while infection continues around the root. A dentist should check any tooth that hurt strongly and then went quiet.
Does a root canal make a tooth brittle?
This is a common misconception, and the 2026 Saudi Dental Journal scoping review reported that nearly 80% of patients wrongly believed it. A treated tooth is usually protected with a proper restoration so it can keep functioning.
Can I try a free consultation before deciding on treatment?
Yes. At Thind Dental Clinic you can book a free smile assessment and consultation to understand your diagnosis and options before you decide.
Sources
- Barbero-Navarro I. et al. Digital patient education and its role in overcoming dental anxiety and barriers to endodontic care. Saudi Dental Journal, 2026 (DOI 10.1007/s44445-026-00172-w)
- Khallaf M.E., Aly Y., Mohamed A.I. Comparison of post-operative pain prevalence after single visit endodontic treatment with two NiTi rotary files: a randomized clinical trial. Scientific Reports, 2025 (PubMed PMID 41413418)
- Kumar G. et al. Incidence of postoperative pain after single-visit and multiple-visit root canal therapy: a systematic review. BMC Oral Health, 2025
- American Association of Endodontists. Working to Dispel the Root Canal Myth (statement by Dr. Frederic Barnett)
- Wikipedia: Root canal treatment
- Wikipedia: Endodontics
- Wikipedia: Dental fear
