I got a root canal on Wednesday. I was supposed to only have a consultation!
The endodontist had the personality of a peanut butter sandwich. He didn't explain much, talk about what he was doing or reassure me in anyway. I almost cried when he said, "Well, we have enough time to do it right now so why don't we just begin the procedure." I just wasn't prepared. I managed to get it together pretty quickly though but almost lost it again when he told me that root canals are a two-part procedure. One part now - and the second part in 3 weeks!
The procedure itself didn't hurt but I'm still sore and it hurts to chew. Anyone else that had a root canal know how long this lasts?
Did you have both parts done or just the first part, I felt like crap until i went back use Advil and it takes the pain away, but use that brand...i used 2 other brands and still pain......use advil and you will feel better....
I've had root canal more than once. The most recent one last year. I take Motrin, sometimes the over-the-counter one, sometimes the dentist prescribes a stronger dosage...that's like the best thing for me, not just with dental pain, but PMS, general headaches, etc. It was sore for a little while, but it was sort of a dull, low-key soreness, the kind of thing that is a little annoying but manageable...infinitely preferable to the aching the infection that led to the root canal was!
Ive never found the procedure as bad as people make it sound. Granted, nobody really wants it if they have the choice but I've never been afraid of it, I guess because the toothaches were so bad and I know that the rc and the antibiotics clean that all up and the soreness afterwards is temporary and tolerable, at least for me it was. I actually find the cleaning worse because they don't numb me for that and all that intensive brushing, scraping, flossing, etc. drives me up the wall but I sit there and bear it and think, this too shall pass.
Last edited by trekkiegirl; 06-01-2007 at 10:24 PM.
I just had my second root canal this Wednesday as well. He drilled out the tooth about a month ago and slapped a temporary filling on it then I was supposed to go back in 2 weeks but I cancelled the appt and made it for the 30th. This past Sunday the filling came out while I was flossing but there was enough left that the nerve was still covered so it didn't hurt. Anyway on Wednesday I made him give me enough freezing that most of my head was numb so I felt practically nothing. I was sick as a dog though that afternoon and yesterday and I'm thinking it may have been the aftermath of all the freezing. I've never heard of that before but considering how much he gave me I wouldn't be surprised. Anyway I didn't have that much actual pain after the first part, I was fine and right now my jaw is a bit sore but not that bad that I would even bother taking anything for it.
Oh, root canals...My sympathies are with you. I am sure the pain will not last long as they effectively kill the nerve.
I had one once in much the manner you had yours-I didn't know what I was getting myself into, there were no explanations and then to make it worse, when I went back for the second part of the procedure, when I opened my mouth to look, I saw that the "tooth" he placed in my mouth was SILVER! It did not look like a tooth at all. How awful it was.
The next time I was told I "needed" a root canal, I opted to have the tooth pulled instead.
I had a root canal once!! Oh what fun!! I agree the pain I was in before the root canal was a lot worse than the procedure itself. The only time I really remember it hurting was when the dentist was really deep into the nerve, then he just shot more novicane down into the root{fun fun!!} I had my temporary filling forever because I had a hard time coming up with the rest of the money for the last part of the procedure{no insurance}by the time I did get back into the dentist I was in a lot of pain because he didn't get all of my nerve out. After he tried to get the rest of the nerve out he put another temporary filling in and I had to make another appointment to get my crown. I eventually went to another dentist and had him pull the tooth because the first dentist never successfully killed the root and I really couldn't afford to pay the new dentist all over again. So with that said I hope your experience is a good one and next time I hear my dentist mention a root canal I'm running the other way!!!
Sorry the dentist wasn't very nice. My root canal was over 30 years ago. I just remember it taking forever. The crown has had to be replaced once in all those years. Hang in there.
Sorry to hear about your tooth problem!! I've had two root canals done and I agree with others - the pain I was in before made the discomfort during the procedure worth it! I am one of the lucky ones when it comes to all things dental (root canals or the wisdom teeth extractions) because I haven't experienced the pain afterwards that others have - I didn't even have to use any over the counter pain medications afterwards.
I've had more than one, and like trekkiegirl I haven't had that much trouble with them. I get so upset thinking about having it done that the actual procedure is almost an anticlimax. Maybe you were lucky that they just sprang it on you. I usually don't have that much pain after the first day, and that is usually from the injections and having to have my mouth open so long. The second visit is a cinch - that's when they just adjust and glue on the permanent crown. I hope everything goes well for you.
I'm finding that my gum is a bit tender today. Yesterday I bit down on something hard and oh the pain! I'm hoping that he did in fact get all the nerve because I'd hate to go through all of that again. It is funny how they never tell you that having the tooth pulled is an option. Both times I've had a root canal done the dentist has never once mentioned pulling the tooth as being an option. Also I have a couple of spots from where I have had teeth pulled (3) and the dentist always wants to put a crown on one of the teeth around it and then put in a little false tooth attached to the crown. I had it done the first time because I didn't know any better and of course it cost an arm and a leg. It is just cosmetic. This time around I need a crown for both this new root canal and the one I had done 5 years ago that I never went back for the crown (I am so lucky that the filling hasn't cracked). The old one has an empty spot beside it and my insurance will cover half the crown and half the false tooth so I told him I couldn't afford the false one, I can barely afford the crown! Again it is just cosmetic but the way he put it to me it wasn't an option, it was something I had to do.
I never had mine crowned, I dont like something that smooth in my mouth, or it will drive me nuts...now at 47 I still have the tooth the rebuilt, (basically a large filling) so I am good for now
OT: Root Canal
I usually don't have that much pain after the first day, and that is usually from the injections and having to have my mouth open so long. The second visit is a cinch - that's when they just adjust and glue on the permanent crown. I hope everything goes well for you.
