Is root canal treatment painful?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is no more uncomfortable than having a cavity filled in most cases. The treatment relieves the severe pain caused by the infection.

Answers before you ask
Precise canal shaping · Thorough disinfection
Root canal therapy · Natural tooth preservation first · CBCT-guided stepwise treatment
Natural tooth preservation first
Root canal viability assessed before extraction
Insurance-covered
Treatment items pre-checked
Evening hours available
Mon & Thu until 8 PM
When treatment is delayed
An infected pulp will not heal on its own. Without treatment, infection can spread to the jawbone and surrounding teeth, potentially leading to abscess, tooth loss, and systemic complications.
Definition
Root canal treatment removes infected, inflamed, or dead pulp tissue from inside the tooth and its root canals, then disinfects and seals the canals to prevent reinfection.
Common causes of pulp infection include deep cavities reaching the nerve, cracked teeth, repeated dental procedures, or trauma.
Symptoms may include severe toothache, prolonged sensitivity to heat, spontaneous pain, or swelling — but sometimes an infected pulp causes no noticeable symptoms and is detected on X-ray.
After root canal treatment, the tooth is typically restored with a crown to protect it from fracture.
A root canal-treated tooth can remain functional for many years with proper care, though it is more brittle than a vital tooth.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is no more uncomfortable than having a cavity filled in most cases. The treatment relieves the severe pain caused by the infection.
Most root canals are completed in 1–3 visits. Complex cases with multiple canals or severe infection may require additional visits. A temporary filling is placed between visits.
Yes, in most cases. A crown protects the tooth from fracture, which is more likely after root canal treatment because the tooth loses some structural integrity when pulp is removed.
Yes. The crown of the tooth can still develop cavities. Good oral hygiene and regular check-ups remain essential even for root canal-treated teeth.
Patient reviews are available on NAVER Place.
Who stands behind these answers

Hospital Director
Dr. Choi Yong-seok
Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology · Integrated Dentistry · Implantology
“I believe the trust patients feel during treatment matters more than the result itself. Honest explanation and accurate diagnosis — that is where good dentistry begins.”
Director
Dr. Oh Song-hee
Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology · Integrated Dentistry · Oral Diagnosis
Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea) · Advanced General Dentistry Specialist (Korean credential; no US equivalent)
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