I had my first root canal several years ago. I have very sensitive teeth and have gas to have my teeth cleaned.
So when I went to the endodonist's office, I started with the receptionist. I told her I had very sensitive teeth and need gas in addition to novacaine. She told me I would have to talk to the dentist.
Then the assistant came and got me and took me into a room and put me in a chair. I told her the same thing and she said I would have to talk to the dentist.
A few minutes later the dentist came in and started to go to work. I told him to stop and told him I had very sensitive teeth and that I needed gas. I also told him I had talked to several people who had had root canals and they were divided into two camps. The first group said that it is a fate worse than death. The second group said there was nothing to it. He told me when I left that day I would be in the second group.
So he rubbed a topical agent on my gums, started the gas, gave me several shots (and I only felt some pressure on my gums) and then left. Several minutes later he came back and went to work. I didn't feel a thing. I really think he had my jaw so numb that he could have shot me with a 45 and I would not have felt it.
I was so grateful that I sent him a Thank You card. I bet dentists don't get very many of those.
I have had two more since than and I always go back to the same doctor.
So from a guy with very sensitive teeth who gets gas for a cleaning, I am telling you that the root canal didn't hurt at all. Just be sure to go to an endodonist and get all the pain killing drugs he has.