Most people fear root canal treatment because of the perception that it will be painful. The reality is that it is not painful when a local anesthetic is used, but it is usual to experience some level of pain after the anesthetic has worn off. This is usually manageable with over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs; we can advise you further. Remember that you are more likely to hear about negative experiences from friends and family, but rarely when a treatment is pain free. Therefore always seek unbiased information and advice when investigating your treatment options.