I've had a lot of major dental work throughout my life. At one point it seemed like needing to get another root canal was the norm whenever I went for a routine check-up. I felt like facing the pain head-on, so I asked my dentist to go ahead and do it without novocaine or any other painkillers. He looked at me like I was crazy when I said it. He probably was right.

Did the root canal, no painkillers of any sort. It was brutal pain, but I forced myself to bear it since I knew that once the root was yanked out, the pain would subside faster than novocaine would normally wear off.

Did I really do that? Yes.
Would I ever recommend that to anyone? No. Not unless you're as crazy as I am.