How Common Are Root Canals in Dentistry Today?

When people think of going to the dentist, a root canal is often the first thing that sends a shiver down their spine. Just saying the words out loud can trigger flashbacks of dental chairs and buzzing tools.

But here’s the thing most folks don’t realize—root canals aren’t some rare, mythical dental procedure you only hear about in hushed tones at your next cleaning. In fact, they’re surprisingly common. Let’s walk through how often they happen, why you might need one, and whether the rumors you’ve heard hold any truth.

Root Canal: What It Really Is (And Why It's Not the Villain)

A root canal is a procedure that saves your tooth. Yep, not removes, not replaces—saves. It’s designed to treat the inside of the tooth, specifically the pulp, when it becomes infected or inflamed. This infection often stems from untreated tooth decay, a deep cavity, or an injury that damages the pulp. The root canal treatment involves carefully removing the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the interior of the tooth, and sealing it up so it doesn’t cause more trouble.

Here’s a stat that might surprise you: about 15 million root canals are performed in the United States every year. That means roughly 41,000 root canal procedures happen every day. So yes, this is absolutely a common procedure in modern dentistry.

Need a Root Canal? Here’s How You’ll Know

Let’s say you’ve been ignoring that sharp tooth pain or that toothache that seems to flare up after you sip your favorite iced coffee. Or maybe one of your teeth is sensitive to pressure or feels weird when you chew. These are the body’s little red flags that you may need a root canal.

Other signs? Swelling in your gums, a tooth that looks darker than the rest, or even a persistent pimple on the gumline. Gross? Yeah. Important? Definitely. These symptoms often point to an infected pulp, and the longer it sits untreated, the higher the chances of it spreading. Without treatment, that one affected tooth could become a much bigger problem.

The American Association of Endodontists notes that root canals are necessary when the tooth pulp becomes inflamed or infected. So if your tooth pain isn’t going away, or it's waking you up at night, it’s probably time to see a dentist or even an endodontist—a specialist in endodontic treatment.

Going to the Dentist: Why So Many Root Canals Happen

Some folks go years without a regular dental visit, and we get it—life’s busy, and who really wants to be poked in the gums? But skipping routine checkups is a fast track to tooth decay, and untreated decay often leads to needing root canal therapy. If more people kept up with dental care, we’d probably see fewer of these procedures.

Still, millions of root canal treatments are done because sometimes, despite brushing your teeth and practicing good oral hygiene, life happens. You bite into a popcorn kernel wrong. You grind your teeth in your sleep. One of your teeth gets cracked during a friendly pickup basketball game. Boom—suddenly you're a candidate to receive a root canal.

The good news? A treated tooth can often last a lifetime. So while undergoing root canal treatment might sound intimidating, it’s actually a fantastic way to save the tooth and avoid tooth extraction.

Common Are Root Canals? Spoiler: Very

Let’s put this plainly: if you’ve never had a root canal, you’re lucky—but you’re also in the minority. With 15 million of these done every year, it’s one of the most common dental procedures out there. It's so frequent that some endodontists perform nothing but root canals all day long.

And it’s not limited to one demographic. Root canals happen across all age groups, from teens with sports injuries to seniors trying to hold onto their natural teeth a bit longer. If you have teeth (and most people do), there’s always a chance you’ll need root canal therapy one day.

Get a Root Canal? Here's What to Expect

The procedure involves removing the damaged pulp from inside the tooth, cleaning the interior of the tooth, and then sealing it with a filling or crown. And thanks to modern technology and anesthetics, the whole thing is usually about as painful as getting a filling. (Hint: not very.)

A common question is, “Will I feel pain afterward?” Sure, some tenderness is normal. But most people report that the pain they felt before the procedure was way worse than anything afterward. And once the infected pulp is gone, so is the source of that nasty toothache.

Common Myths About Root Canals: Let’s Bust a Few

You’ve probably heard a few scary stories floating around about root canals. Maybe your uncle swears it’s the worst experience of his life, or someone on Facebook said root canals cause illness. Let’s clear this up.

One of the most common myths about root canals is that they’re extremely painful. But today, with better numbing agents and techniques, that’s just not true anymore. Another myth? That the tooth eventually needs to be removed anyway. Not so—studies show the success rate of root canal retreatment is very high, often above 95%.

Then there’s the idea that it’s better to just pull the tooth. But here’s the reality: once a tooth is removed, you’ll need to replace it with a bridge, implant, or denture. And none of those are cheap. In contrast, a root canal is a procedure that lets you keep your natural teeth—something no fake tooth can fully replace.

Root Canal Treatment Is About More Than Just Teeth

People don’t always connect their oral health with the rest of their body, but infections from untreated teeth can lead to more serious dental or even systemic problems. It’s not just about saving one tooth—it’s about preventing a chain reaction of issues.

If your tooth becomes infected or inflamed, bacteria can travel through the roots of the tooth and impact other parts of the body. So in many cases, the decision to undergo a root canal isn’t just about comfort—it’s about protecting your whole-body health.

Why Many Root Canals Can Be Prevented

Yes, there are many treatments for infected teeth, but wouldn’t it be better to just not need root canals in the first place? Here’s how to lower your chances:

• Stay on top of regular dental checkups

• Don’t ignore tooth sensitivity or pain

• Take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing daily

• Use a mouthguard if you grind your teeth or play contact sports

• Avoid sugary snacks that feed tooth infections

When one of your teeth feels off, don’t wait. The sooner your dentist can take a look, the better the outcome. Catching damage early might mean a simple filling instead of a full endodontic intervention.

So, How Common Is a Root Canal?

To answer the question: how common is a root canal today? Incredibly. So if your dentist may recommend one, don’t panic. You’re in the company of millions of patients who’ve had a root canal and gone on with their lives—pain-free, smile intact.

It’s not about scaring people into more dental treatment. It’s about showing that a root canal may sound scary, but it’s one of the best tools modern dentistry has to offer. Whether you may need root work done soon or you’re just trying to prevent tooth decay, knowing the truth about this common dental procedure can make all the difference.