Okay. Listen up. I'm a dental student.

If the root canal is in your lower jaw, you will probably have two injections, both of which should feel like a little pinch, not much more. Then, theoretically, you should be entirely numb, and you won't feel anything after that. You will hear the sounds and there might be some pressure but you shouldn't feel pain if the injections are effective.

If it is in your upper jaw, there will probably be two injections, one of which is a little pinch and the other of which can be unpleasant (the one in the palate you were worried about). But again, once you are numb, you are numb; you shouldn't feel much.

NOW. This is important. CANNABIS SMOKERS ARE LESS RESPONSIVE TO DENTAL ANESTHESIA THAN NON-SMOKERS. So abstain a few days beforehand. It will help.

Other reasons you may feel pain:
* usually a root canal is done because you have an infection. the infection changes the pH of your cells. dental anesthesia is dependent upon the cells' pH for its efficacy. so, if you have an infection, the anesthetic may not work as well, and there is nothing the dentist can do about that. you could ask for nitrous oxide (laughing gas) if you are exceptionally nervous about it.
* the injection may numb most of the nerves, but not all of them. sometimes this is due to your particular anatomy or is a fluke of the injection. so you may feel twinges here and there, but overall, you SHOULD get numb.

And remember, TELL your dentist if you are feeling it. We will gladly give you more anesthetic if we know you need it - we don't want you to be in pain.

Hope that helps.
TheSmokingMonkey Reviewed by TheSmokingMonkey on . Root Canal? I just found out yesterday that I have to have this procedure done to me. I have never had a root canal and I have heard some horror stories about it. Has anybody here ever had one? I would like to get some feedback from the forum-goers as to how uncomfortable it is. One person says that there is an injection of Novocaine to the roof of the mouth involved. Is this true? How uncomfortable is it after the numbing agent wears off? Is it anything like a wisdom teeth extraction? I had all 4 of my Rating: 5