More than 21 million endodontic procedures are performed nationally each year. Of that total, nearly 16 million are root canals. If you've never had a root canal, or if it has been several years since your last procedure, you may have questions or concerns. Root canal treatment actually relieves tooth pain and can usually be accomplished in one or two visits to your endodontist. The information in this section of our Web site has been carefully prepared to answer the most frequently asked questions about root canal treatment and provide you with resources for saving your natural teeth.