If I had a rupee for every time someone said, “Doctor, root canal bahut dard karta hai na?”, I’d probably have a small clinic fund of my own by now. The fear around root canal treatment (RCT) is real but interestingly, most of it comes from stories, not experiences.
Root canal treatment is done to save a tooth when the inner pulp gets infected due to deep decay, trauma, or repeated dental work. Instead of removing the tooth, we clean the infection, disinfect the canals, and seal it.
**The goal is simple: remove pain and preserve your natural tooth.**The biggest myth is that RCT is painful. In reality, it’s quite the opposite. With proper local anesthesia and modern techniques, the procedure feels very similar to getting a filling. In fact, most patients come in with pain and leave feeling relief that’s the whole point.
Another common belief is that removing the tooth is easier. But saving your natural tooth is always the better option.
Why?
Immediate relief, but permanent loss: Extraction removes the pain but also the natural tooth
Tooth movement: Adjacent teeth begin to drift into the empty space
Opposing tooth changes: The opposite tooth may over-erupt due to lack of contact
Reduced chewing efficiency: Balance of bite gets disturbed
Bone loss: Jawbone in that area gradually resorbs over time
Aesthetic impact
Need for replacement: Implants or bridges often become necessary and it’s more costly than RCT.
Conclusion - In reality root canal treatment isn’t something to fear; it’s a solution that relieves pain and restores health.
So, is it painful or just a myth?
In most cases it’s a myth that needs awareness, not fear.
MBH/PS