Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,709
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jun 21, 2016 17:46:50 GMT
I need a root canal and I sobbed like a baby. I don't even like getting a cavity filled--a root canal???
Then I found out my dentist doesn't even do them and I cried even harder...
Someone tell me that it doesn't hurt and it's no big deal???
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Post by mandolyn9909 on Jun 21, 2016 17:48:50 GMT
I have had a couple and didn't find them any worse than a filling...so if you can do a filling you can do a root canal I think! Hang in there.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,768
Jun 27, 2014 2:21:22 GMT
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Post by valincal on Jun 21, 2016 17:50:24 GMT
I've had a few and I didn't find that they were painful-they just take a a while to complete the procedure.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jun 21, 2016 17:50:54 GMT
I can't lie about the 'big deal' because it did take a long time (a couple hours, IIRC) and a couple appointments, since I had to get a crown on that tooth.
But it really, truly didn't *HURT* when I had mine done... the dentist was really good about the Novocain and listening to whether I said I needed more or not. It was just a weird sensation, not pain.
What actually hurt afterward for me was my jaw, which ached from having to keep my mouth so wide open during the whole ordeal (but I also have issues with my jaw, in general-- that probably wouldn't be an issue for everyone). I think he let me rest my jaw a couple times during the whole thing.
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psiluvu
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,217
Location: Canada's Capital
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:26 GMT
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Post by psiluvu on Jun 21, 2016 17:52:45 GMT
it doesn't hurt and it's no big deal> it does take quite a while but IME there was no pain during or after. I had mine done at 8:00 in the morning and was at work by 11:00am.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,702
Location: Kansas City -ish
Jun 27, 2014 2:38:58 GMT
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Post by Anita on Jun 21, 2016 17:53:39 GMT
I'm sorry the dentist made you cry. I have some dental horror stories, and I can honestly say the root canals aren't the worst thing in the world. They aren't fun, but there are way worse things you can have done to your mouth. Hang in there, you can do it.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 21, 2016 17:54:22 GMT
(((hugs))))
Root canals aren't any worse than getting a filling. They are a PIA because they take longer.
And don't worry about crying. You are not alone, if it makes you feel any better. Last time I was at the dentist I cried ugly tears because I was in so much pain, but couldn't afford to have all the work it would take to save the tooth, so had to have it pulled instead. I didn't qualify for the care credit, and the dentist wouldn't take payments. And then I had to go to work 2.5 hours later.
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 21, 2016 17:56:53 GMT
I have major dental anxiety and have had two root canals over the years.
Neither was a bad experience. Honestly, I think the biggest discomfort comes from having my jaw open for so long. IME, dentists want to make you as comfortable as possible and do what they can to alleviate anxiety.
A root canal is a pretty routine procedure - I'm curious why your dentist doesn't do them.
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Post by peano on Jun 21, 2016 17:57:17 GMT
As someone with a dental phobia who has had tears streaming down my face in the dentists' chair a couple of times, I would just say that Valium is your friend. I have had a couple of root canals. One was a breeze, the other a major PIA that took a long time to resolve. The pain of a root canal isn't any different from a filling--it just takes longer. And I prefer the type of Novocain they use for root canals--it makes my heart less racy.
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Post by peano on Jun 21, 2016 17:59:10 GMT
I have major dental anxiety and have had two root canals over the years. Neither was a bad experience. Honestly, I think the biggest discomfort comes from having my jaw open for so long. IME, dentists want to make you as comfortable as possible and do what they can to alleviate anxiety. A root canal is a pretty routine procedure - I'm curious why your dentist doesn't do them. My dentist farms out root canals to an oral surgeon because he has more specialized equipment that lets him view what he's doing.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jun 21, 2016 18:01:30 GMT
I am just going to wish you the very best. My boyfriend at the time was going to fly from a different province to come be with me through my root canal. My mother wound up taking me and I needed some oral sedation. I was really scared. I was scared you know what-less.
Good luck! Find the best endodentist you can!
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janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,201
Location: Alabama
Jan 29, 2015 16:24:49 GMT
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Post by janeinbama on Jun 21, 2016 18:02:22 GMT
Ask for gas also. I am a nervous dental patient and I ask for gas anytime work is done other than a cleaning. My appointment has to be first of the day or I will make myself sick my apt time. Our dentist refers all root canals to oral surgeon also.
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Jun 21, 2016 18:03:20 GMT
I need a root canal and I sobbed like a baby. I don't even like getting a cavity filled--a root canal??? Then I found out my dentist doesn't even do them and I cried even harder... Someone tell me that it doesn't hurt and it's no big deal??? I was 23 the first time my dentist told me I needed a root canal. I cried like a little bitch. Even called my Mom. I'd never had anything more than a filling or two and was freaked. That experience was rough, he did it right then and I never really got fully numb. If you feel any discomfort during the procedure tell them, they will numb you more. That dentist thiught I was being whiny and brushed me off. I have a tolerance to numbing and it takes a lot to get me numb and it wears off faster. I had another one two years ago. It was a much better experience. I took Valium first, got the gas, and he numbed me very well. Never felt a thing. Only suggestion other than that is to talk to the endodontist about pre-emotive antibiotic treatment prior to the work being done. Helps to staph any infection. Good luck.
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Post by Merge on Jun 21, 2016 18:04:00 GMT
Dental technology has come so far even in the past decade or so. It won't hurt. I'm like you and loathe any kind of dental procedure, and even I have survived a root canal.
If you are really phobic, your dentist might prescribe you an anti-anxiety pill to take before you come in, but you'd need someone to drive you.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jun 21, 2016 18:07:34 GMT
Sorry you are having to have a root canal. However, the gas is your friend. It makes it so much easier to get through the procedure. They won't even give me the novacaine injections until I'm loopy on the gas. I have improved over the years, since I used to need the gas just to get my teeth cleaned. Now I can get through a cleaning w/o it.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jun 21, 2016 18:08:09 GMT
I have major dental anxiety and have had two root canals over the years. Neither was a bad experience. Honestly, I think the biggest discomfort comes from having my jaw open for so long. IME, dentists want to make you as comfortable as possible and do what they can to alleviate anxiety. A root canal is a pretty routine procedure - I'm curious why your dentist doesn't do them. My dentist farms out root canals to an oral surgeon because he has more specialized equipment that lets him view what he's doing. ^^^ the oral surgeon who did mine had some really amazing computer camera thing that let him see on screen just how much more he had to do; it was actually pretty cool. (except for the fact that it took such a long time, lol)
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 21, 2016 18:09:51 GMT
I have major dental anxiety and have had two root canals over the years. Neither was a bad experience. Honestly, I think the biggest discomfort comes from having my jaw open for so long. IME, dentists want to make you as comfortable as possible and do what they can to alleviate anxiety. A root canal is a pretty routine procedure - I'm curious why your dentist doesn't do them. My dentist farms out root canals to an oral surgeon because he has more specialized equipment that lets him view what he's doing. I hadn't thought about the equipment angle, but this make sense - thanks.
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Post by mom on Jun 21, 2016 18:11:36 GMT
Ok, I am absolutely afraid of the dentist. Hyperventilate in the waiting room, etc. My original dentist was like 'suck it up'....but I found a new dentist who prescribes one two pills to take the morning of my appointment. I need someone to drive me to the appointment, but otherwise I am in a complete calm state. Its the best! LOL Normally I would never get through a teeth cleaning in one sitting (we had to break it up over 3 visits because of my crying) but now? I am fine.
Perhaps your dentist can prescribe you something to help on the day of your appointment? Apparently its a pretty common thing for them to do.
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Post by salem on Jun 21, 2016 18:12:59 GMT
Don't be embarrassed. Really. I have a huge dental chair phobia due to a very inappropriate dentist when I was an early developed 11 year old. I mean I barely hold it together when I have to go and the fact that my tooth broke and it was a rush appointment gave me no time to get in the right head space to deal. I was terrified and mouth pain is just the worst.
Anyway, I will honestly tell you that the sensitivity I experienced through the whole process of the root canal and then a crown was mostly from them poking around, the shot from the novocaine, and soreness from keeping your mouth open while they worked. You will probably have to go back a few times if you are getting a crown too, but once the actual root canal is done any pain you're having now should be gone. Let's put it this way,they gave me a prescription for a pain reliever. I never took one. Any sensitivity was handled with over the counter Advil or Tylenol. My shoulders and neck were a mess from stressing myself out, but my mouth was fine.
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Post by salem on Jun 21, 2016 18:15:07 GMT
Oh, and I wore my own sunglasses and listened to music on my phone the whole time. I let them know a little about why I was so afraid and they were excellent about doing what they had to and just letting me be in my own head.
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Post by femalebusiness on Jun 21, 2016 18:30:43 GMT
No big deal at all. Not any worse than a filling or crown.
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,741
Jun 25, 2014 19:55:12 GMT
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Jun 21, 2016 18:38:21 GMT
I have had a couple and didn't find them any worse than a filling...so if you can do a filling you can do a root canal I think! Hang in there. Pretty much this. I had one years ago. I don't remember it so it couldn't have been that bad.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 9:13:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2016 18:49:51 GMT
It's honestly not the kind of big deal it used to be, and it really doesn't hurt much at all. Until a couple of years ago, I had never had anything other than a couple of small fillings. I was really worried when I was told I needed a root canal and then a crown, and like you, was worried when my dentist (love her!) was going to send me to an oral surgeon for the root canal. Everyone I talked to told me that it wouldn't be bad, and that all the horror stories I'd heard growing up were not longer relevant since the field has come so far. I was still doubtful, but they were right. The guy she sent me to has it down to a fine art. It was easier and less painful or uncomfortable than those couple of fillings so long ago. Honestly, going back to the dentist for the crown was way more time consuming and more of a hassle than the root canal. None of it was painful or traumatic at all. The worst part was the worries I put myself through before the procedure. Now you HAVE to come back and give us a report on your experience when you're through with it. You can do this.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,623
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on Jun 21, 2016 18:50:44 GMT
I"m with the others, it's the time. I've had several done and haven't had any pain. crimsoncat05 my dentist uses a bite blocker when he's working on my teeth. I have a really weak jaw, and the biggest pain I'm in after the dentist is always jaw pain. when he uses the bite blocker I don't even have to take a tylenol after he's done. You might ask.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,816
Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Jun 21, 2016 18:52:42 GMT
I've had 5, and to me, they are no big deal. The only crying I do is when I get the bill for the crown which almost always follows a root canal.
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,831
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jun 21, 2016 19:08:06 GMT
I would get a root canal over a filling any day of the week. To me fillings are ten times worse.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Jun 21, 2016 19:20:11 GMT
Hugs! I'm sorry you are embarrassed. I've never had a root canal so I can't way in there. But... I'm the patient who cries at a cleaning so have no shame! I just apologize, open my mouth and sob all while trying to hold very still.
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Post by cherrie on Jun 21, 2016 19:20:41 GMT
I cry just thinking of making an appointment for a cleaning! I have such fear and even a cleaning hurts a lot. Now, I have done chemo infusions, platelet transfusions, blood transfusions, labs up the wazoo and can handle all those but the dentist...fear!!
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Post by 950nancy on Jun 21, 2016 19:41:08 GMT
I have had a few that were more painful the others, but that was because I let it go too long before getting it fixed and I ended up having to go to an endodontist. My dentist won't even consider doing a root canal on me anymore. I have difficult roots. Your endodontist does root canals all day and will be a specialist in the field. They run some easy test on the tooth and talk you through it. I felt like the shots at the endodontist were less painful. It takes longer, but there isn't the tug and pull of a cavity (or maybe that is how I remember it). Sometimes you get a pair of headsets to listen to music and some offices show movies about your head so the time goes faster. What I didn't realize the first time, is that you will need to go back to your dentist to get your crown in a few weeks. That is when they drill more, but the area is dead so you feel pressure but not pain. Perhaps you can take a few Advil before you go if it is recommended to take the edge off the pain. In hindsight, you will look back and probably laugh. It is one of those things that you hear so many bad things about, but in reality, it is way better than so many other things. I felt like it just took a lot of time and visits to get it all done. I am not great with pain, and I didn't think it was bad at all. I should not have put it off.
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,709
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jun 21, 2016 19:46:50 GMT
I already have a temporary crown they put on today. That's when she took X-rays and basically told me I need a root canal ASAP to save the tooth. This tooth has been causing pain forever and she took pictures of the decay inside of it. It was disgusting. It took three flipping hours today and I'm pretty sure my dentist is out of local ansthetic because it required soooooo much numbing. My dentist said she can do root canals but prefers not to on molars. And this is a molar. I hate going to thbe dentist. I hate no matter how loud my music is that I can still hear the metal equipment doing god knows what to my teeth. I hate the chair. I hate the lights. I hate the smell.... Clearly full of dental hate today. My apologies to all dental peas. Thanks guys. Glad to see so many of you survived.
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