17 root canals? <faints> thud!
OMG! I have had only one so far. (knocks on wood)
My tooth wasn't infected, so they did the whole procedure in one LONG sitting.
As scary as the procedure sounds, it was relatively painless. The worst part is having your jaw strapped open for like 3 hours while your upside down in the chair! I remember having to pee real bad and you cant talk because you have too much equipment strapped in your mouth! When they finished I almost knocked the Dentist over jumping out of the chair! LOL.
The most painfull part is actually the BILL ! I recall it was over $1000 for a big rear molar, and that was in 1997! I waited 5 more years until the old tooth cracked before I went back to have the post and crown installed. That was like another $1000.
So all you young-uns, brush and floss and never skip a dental appointment. You'll be better off in the long run!