If the phrase “root canal” makes you want to run faster than someone yelling “free samples” at Costco, you’re not alone. For years, root canals have been the horror movie villain of dentistry. People imagine drills, pain, and weeks of misery—when in reality, a root canal is more like a boring documentary with a surprisingly happy ending. Seriously, your favorite root canal dentist probably spends more time convincing patients it’s not a medieval torture session than actually doing the procedure. Let’s bust some of the biggest myths that cause unnecessary panic.

Myth #1: A Root Canal Is the Most Painful Procedure Ever

Wrong. Root canals are not dental boot camp. In fact, with modern anesthesia, most people feel less discomfort during the procedure than they did from the toothache that sent them there in the first place. People Google root canal dentist in desperation because they can’t sleep, eat, or even sip water without wincing. Once the tooth’s angry nerve is calmed, it’s more of a “why didn’t I do this sooner?” situation than a horror flick.

Myth #2: You’ll Spend Hours in the Chair

Nope. Unless your tooth is auditioning for the role of “most complicated root system of the year,” root canals don’t usually take longer than a standard dental appointment. Most patients are in and out before their Netflix episode timer would have auto-played the next show. And if you’ve found a skilled root canal dentist, the procedure is even quicker and smoother than waiting in line for coffee at rush hour.

Myth #3: Root Canals Don’t Work—Your Tooth Will Just Be Pulled Anyway

Not true. A root canal is specifically designed to save your natural tooth, not wave goodbye to it. Teeth that undergo a root canal often last a lifetime (with a little help from a crown on top). Of course, some people still assume, “Why bother?” But ask any root canal dentist—your own tooth is always better than an artificial replacement when it comes to function and feel.

Myth #4: You’ll Be Out of Commission for Weeks

Let’s be real: recovery time from a root canal is about the same as recovering from stepping on a LEGO. Sure, your mouth might be a little sore for a couple of days, but most people are back to work, errands, or TikTok scrolling the very next day. You don’t need to clear your calendar, stock up on soup, or act like you’re preparing for a wisdom tooth apocalypse.

Myth #5: Root Canals Make You Sick

This one is so outdated that it should come with a dial-up internet connection. Decades ago, there were rumors that root canals caused systemic illness, but modern science has long since debunked that. A root canal removes infection—it doesn’t cause it. That’s why your root canal dentist is basically a superhero in scrubs, swooping in to stop bacteria from spreading further.

Myth #6: Root Canals Are Just Too Expensive

Here’s the plot twist: skipping a root canal is usually more expensive in the long run. If you let the tooth go, you’ll eventually need an extraction, maybe a dental implant, and possibly more complicated procedures. Think of a root canal as a solid investment, like buying a dishwasher that doesn’t eat socks. It saves you time, money, and a lot of future dental drama.

The Bottom Line

Root canals aren’t the monsters hiding under the dental chair—they’re the rescue squad. Modern techniques, skilled dentists, and anesthesia have turned them from dreaded to downright doable. The real pain isn’t the root canal itself; it’s the suffering you endure when you put it off for too long.

So, the next time you hear “root canal,” don’t picture horror music and dramatic lighting. Picture a calm, cozy chair, numbing magic, and a root canal dentist who’s ready to save your smile with way less drama than your group chat.