Although having a root canal is typically painless, you may be anxious or apprehensive about the procedure. You may have had a previous bad dental experience, or just find the whole idea worrisome. Our office has TV’s with headphones in every operatory to help as a distraction and even entertain you during the procedure.

In our practice, oral sedation is the most commonly used form of sedation. You take the oral sedative (pills) on an empty stomach, two hours before your appointment. The medication is designed to induce calmness, but it may make you drowsy, although you'll still be awake. Some of our patient's fall asleep during the procedure. You will still receive lidocaine (Novocain) for your root canal procedure. The area around the involved tooth will be numb, so you will not feel anything. If you would like to view and download the specific instructions for child or adult sedation, just click on the links in blue.

You will need a driver for this type of sedation. Once the procedure is over, most patients will go home, sleep and not remember the procedure at all. You should not plan to do anything the rest of the day.