What can I expect with a root canal?

[Jirel]

15. From a great dentist? Almost nothing.

It all depends on how good your dentist is. Mine is ex-military, used to working in battlefield conditions, and a former professor, so he is HELLA fast and good. He numbs you up so hard that half your face will be numb for the rest of the day, and is in and out with no pain and as fast as a basic filling. The only irritating part is doing a temporary casting for the fake tooth - nasty tasting, drooly, and may take more than one try. Afterward, he usually gives me an RX for 5 hydrocodone. I’ve only ever needed 1/2 of one, the time he was training a new assistant so there had been a bit more fumbling. The other 2, I had no appreciable pain afterward. Finally, you have to come back for your permanent fake tooth when it’s ready. Easy-peasy, and quick.

Mileage may vary depending on the dentist, of course. If an oral surgeon is doing it, chances are it’ll be a lot like my dentist. If it’s a regular dentist, you may have technique from crappy and slow, to excellent, with a lot more variability.