Root Canal. What's it like?
Discussion
Hi.
I'm faced with a root canal or, if I want, an extraction in the next month.
I'm a very, very, very nervous person with dentists.
I know it's my fault with bad choices in food and a great childhood of sweets from the grandparents.
If anyone has had one in the past 5 years, can you tell me if it's numb during the procedures and painful after or is it painful during AND afterward?. It will be on a top jaw molar.
Thanks Guys and Girls for helpful responses.
I'm faced with a root canal or, if I want, an extraction in the next month.
I'm a very, very, very nervous person with dentists.
I know it's my fault with bad choices in food and a great childhood of sweets from the grandparents.
If anyone has had one in the past 5 years, can you tell me if it's numb during the procedures and painful after or is it painful during AND afterward?. It will be on a top jaw molar.
Thanks Guys and Girls for helpful responses.
I had one done about 8 or 9 years ago. I can honestly say there was very little discomfort. The injection/s to numb the area was probably as bad as it got, i.e. not very.
After the procedure, I couldn't understand why such a fuss is made over RC.
I'm sure you'll be fine. And, for the record, I also really don't like dentists.
After the procedure, I couldn't understand why such a fuss is made over RC.
I'm sure you'll be fine. And, for the record, I also really don't like dentists.
Hi, I had root canal 6 months ago on an upper tooth, tbh it was just like having a filling but it lasted longer.
I didn't feel any considerable pain, just a little uncomfortable at times but nothing unbearable.
I think the whole process was around 45 minutes.
Best of luck, you'll be fine!!!!
I didn't feel any considerable pain, just a little uncomfortable at times but nothing unbearable.
I think the whole process was around 45 minutes.
Best of luck, you'll be fine!!!!
In the middle of several root canals.
Some were painless.
In one there is a "hot spot" in the tooth that was agony and prevented the dentist from continuing. Still waiting for the inflammation to subside before going back.
As an aside, I had to go for emergency treatment at someone who was not my regular dentist. They started the treatment on my tooth, and the pain relief was instant. When my normal dentist went to finish the job he kept saying that something was not right as there was far too much blood and the hole seemed too deep. Turns out she had drilled out of the side of my tooth, through my gum into the jaw. Silly person.
Some were painless.
In one there is a "hot spot" in the tooth that was agony and prevented the dentist from continuing. Still waiting for the inflammation to subside before going back.
As an aside, I had to go for emergency treatment at someone who was not my regular dentist. They started the treatment on my tooth, and the pain relief was instant. When my normal dentist went to finish the job he kept saying that something was not right as there was far too much blood and the hole seemed too deep. Turns out she had drilled out of the side of my tooth, through my gum into the jaw. Silly person.
Had a couple with no pain from the work. Dunno what the fuss is all about.
The latest one had an abscess which had to be cleared out; there was pain due to the abscess and the area was sore from working on the abscess only when injecting with anaesthetic - sticking a needle in a swollen gum that didn't like to be touched wasn't pleasant. If I'd gone sooner, the pain wouldn't have been so bad... Once the anaesthetic kicked in, she was able to work on the tooth without me experiencing any pain. There was a weird sensation inside my head when she was dragging out the old root, though.
The latest one had an abscess which had to be cleared out; there was pain due to the abscess and the area was sore from working on the abscess only when injecting with anaesthetic - sticking a needle in a swollen gum that didn't like to be touched wasn't pleasant. If I'd gone sooner, the pain wouldn't have been so bad... Once the anaesthetic kicked in, she was able to work on the tooth without me experiencing any pain. There was a weird sensation inside my head when she was dragging out the old root, though.
It’s nothing to worry about really, they're never pleasant of course, but the sound for me it worse than the actual discomfort.
The worst pain I usually have is when I inevitably bite the inside of my mouth on the way home...
I find a scale and polish more painful, my hygienist is a sadist.
The worst pain I usually have is when I inevitably bite the inside of my mouth on the way home...
I find a scale and polish more painful, my hygienist is a sadist.
I haven't had root canal yet, but I did have a wisdom tooth out last year. Again, very nervous, went to the dentist with a sore gum behind the tooth (not quite through enough to lose the flap of skin), they recommended extraction so it wouldn't be a problem when I was miles from a proper dental surgery (Afghan). I wasn't convinced, left it.
Went back a couple of times, to a different dentist each time until one suggested sedation. Got referred to another place, he convinced me to just go for it. So I did.
Really, not that bad.
Until after, once the numb stuff had worn off I was in pain for about 2 weeks. Worse than having my ankle operated on, and I've had that done twice.
Good luck, I'm sure I'm just a massive wimp.
Went back a couple of times, to a different dentist each time until one suggested sedation. Got referred to another place, he convinced me to just go for it. So I did.
Really, not that bad.
Until after, once the numb stuff had worn off I was in pain for about 2 weeks. Worse than having my ankle operated on, and I've had that done twice.
Good luck, I'm sure I'm just a massive wimp.
HowMuchLonger said:
In the middle of several root canals.
Some were painless.
In one there is a "hot spot" in the tooth that was agony and prevented the dentist from continuing. Still waiting for the inflammation to subside before going back.
Been back and it was painless this time. However due to the length of my root(27mm on the back tooth)I have to go back so he can finish the job.Some were painless.
In one there is a "hot spot" in the tooth that was agony and prevented the dentist from continuing. Still waiting for the inflammation to subside before going back.
I had one done about a year ago which involved 3 separate appointments on a lower back tooth.
1st appointment was LA injection and some drill work to remove roots, on the tooth I had done there were 4 roots to deal with, some stuff was put into the drill holes to handle any infection then a temporary cover fitted, took about 20 minutes and I was pain free (had been throbbing for days). No worse than a filling other than taking a bit longer. Try and avoid moving during the drill process as it'll make the dentists job a lot easier and remove risk of the piece breaking.
2nd appointment was to make a mould which is just some clay like stuff in a gum piece, goes in for a minute (advice - breath through your nose else likely to gag) then its sent away to make crown.
3rd appointment which I cannot remember if I had an LA for was removal of the temporary cover, inserting some stick like things into the holes drilled in appointment 1 which was a little uncomfortable then it's packed with the crown glued on, took about 10 minutes and no pain at all.
Felt a little bit unusual for a week or two getting used to eating on that side as I'd been living with a filling on this tooth prior. My dentist knows I like to see all the tools and items that are being used so I found it all rather interesting.
1st appointment was LA injection and some drill work to remove roots, on the tooth I had done there were 4 roots to deal with, some stuff was put into the drill holes to handle any infection then a temporary cover fitted, took about 20 minutes and I was pain free (had been throbbing for days). No worse than a filling other than taking a bit longer. Try and avoid moving during the drill process as it'll make the dentists job a lot easier and remove risk of the piece breaking.
2nd appointment was to make a mould which is just some clay like stuff in a gum piece, goes in for a minute (advice - breath through your nose else likely to gag) then its sent away to make crown.
3rd appointment which I cannot remember if I had an LA for was removal of the temporary cover, inserting some stick like things into the holes drilled in appointment 1 which was a little uncomfortable then it's packed with the crown glued on, took about 10 minutes and no pain at all.
Felt a little bit unusual for a week or two getting used to eating on that side as I'd been living with a filling on this tooth prior. My dentist knows I like to see all the tools and items that are being used so I found it all rather interesting.
Edited by StevoCally on Saturday 19th January 21:01
Edited by StevoCally on Saturday 19th January 21:02
From experience as long as you can open up your jaws wide enough and don't annoy him/her by putting your hand up constantly requesting to swallow as saliva constantly drips down your throat.
I remember ending my Root Canal visit by apologising for drenching the chair in sweat and offering to wipe it down.
My next trip will be to hospital to have a wisdom tooth extracted. Cant wait!! Not!
In fact I might have a look on YouTube to see what the fuss is all about.
I remember ending my Root Canal visit by apologising for drenching the chair in sweat and offering to wipe it down.
My next trip will be to hospital to have a wisdom tooth extracted. Cant wait!! Not!
In fact I might have a look on YouTube to see what the fuss is all about.
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