Root canal treatment is virtually painless and often leaves you with less discomfort during recovery than if you have your natural tooth extracted. You can expect to have some mild to moderate pain or soreness in the area after a root canal treatment, you'll likely only need over-the-counter pain medications for relief. In most cases, the sensitivity and discomfort associated with a root canal should go away within a few days. You should see your dentist for a follow-up if the pain lasts longer than three days.