Hi Shygirl,
root canal is not bad. It is a medical treatment that is required to save some teeth. root canal treatment is usually done to alleviate pain, but the tooth usually need a crown for protection. Like any medical treatment, root canal is not an ideal treatment, but often time it is the best way to save a tooth. And it is not uncommon for a root canal tooth (with proper restoration, like a crown) to last for many, many years.