Question: What exactly is a root canal, and is it painful to have done? I may need one since I have been putting off getting a filling for over a year, and that tooth hurts.  

Reply: A root canal is a dental procedure that involves removing infected or damaged tissue from the inside of a tooth. The process is done to save the tooth from further damage or from having to be extracted. During the procedure, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth and then remove the infected tissue from the root canals of the tooth. Once the infected tissue is cleared, the canals are cleaned and filled with a special material. 

As for pain, It is important to note that the root canal procedure has a bad reputation for being painful, but most people who have had the procedure report that it is not as bad as they thought it would be. Many people who have had a root canal done say that the pain they experienced before the procedure was much worse than any discomfort they felt during or after the procedure.

It is also worth mentioning that avoiding or delaying a root canal can lead to more severe pain and dental problems in the long run. If the infection or damage in the tooth is left untreated, it can spread to the surrounding tissues, causing more pain and potentially leading to the need for an extraction.

If you are experiencing tooth pain, seeing a dentist as soon as possible is important. Your dentist can evaluate your condition and determine if a root canal or other treatment is necessary to alleviate your pain and preserve the health of your teeth.