I have to have a root canal next week...

[KansDem]

Will it hurt? :(

[Genevieve]

1. its nothing. nt

[KansDem]

2. !

:)

[dolo amber]

3. It's not too terrible

Mostly just boring. The worst part for me was getting the shots, even though they numb your gums first...but they make this horrific squicking sound that just makes me die inside. :cry:

MAKE SURE they use a soft foam block to help you hold your jaw open or the next day you'll really be sorry. Oooh, and if your insurance will cover it, I highly recommend getting the gas. :D :thumbsup:

:hi:

[KansDem]

10. Thanks for the tips!

I'll watch for the "soft foam block" and if I don't see it, I'll ask for it!

Need to check my insurance about the gas, though...

[Deep13]

4. Piece of cake...

...as long as your dentist is good at them. I've had 11. Most were easier than a filling. Unfortunately, I've have a couple of quacks too and those were pretty bad.

[KansDem]

9. I've had the same problem with this one molar.

For a couple of decades now, the filling has been disintegrating and falling out. This has happened at least 3 times. I go in the dentist and have my tooth drilled out and a filling put in, then about 9-10 years later the filling comes out. Then I do it again. After a few times, there's not much tooth left to drill out.

Unfortunately, I've have a couple of quacks too and those were pretty bad.
That happened to me with the same tooth back in the 1970s. The filling came out (put there in my teens) and I went to a dentist recommended by a friend. He drilled and took an impression for the lab, then filled the tooth with a temporary filling. A few days later he called to say the lab fouled up and I needed to come in and do it again. I do, and again he called claiming the lab made another mistake. So I went in a third time and had it all done over again; each time with shots and drilling. He finally got the filling from the lab and cemented it to my tooth. It doesn't quite feel right but I'm just relieved the ordeal is over. A few years later I'm living in another part of the country and went to a dentist for another matter. He says, "Say, did you know whoever put this filling in didn't do it right?" I just shook my head and had that dentist do the job again.

About 10 years ago I worked as a bartender in a comedy club. I was eating a Butterfinger candy bar when the damn thing took out the filling from the same tooth (those Butterfingers are sticky!) I had to go to the dentist to have another filling put in. I told my friends that Butterfinger cost $124.50: 50 cents for the candy bar and $124 to have the filling replaced. I haven't eaten a Butterfinger since...

[LSK]

5. no, and for the pain up until then Ibuprofen works best

I went through this about 2 years ago. Just make sure the novacaine is working.

[KansDem]

11. The funny thing is this flared up just last week.

I knew the filling was coming out in pieces for some time now but was hoping to get to the first of the year when I'll be eligible for pre-tax savings on medical expenses. But when I discovered I couldn't wait any longer I went to the dentist yesterday. He informs me that I needed to see an endodontist first who will perform the root canal, then he (the dentist) will affix the crown. He told me the specialist he uses had an office just down the hall; I thought, "All right! We can get this thing over with!" but then the dentist said the endodontist's office wasn't open this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, so I'd have to wait until next week. I thought, "Uh-oh, Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away. Will I be able to eat?" Now, the tooth only hurt periodically when I drank hot or cold liquids and the pain only lasted about 5-10 minutes, but the dentist said he could put a temporary filling in that should protect the tooth's nerves from hot or cold. I thought, "Why not?" so I had a temporary filling put in. The only problem is, the filling seems to be aggravating the nerves, so instead of a sharp pain every so often, I now have a dull pain practically all the time!

Next week can't get here fast enough!

[begin_within]

6. It will take a while

They will work on you, leave you for a few minutes, work again, leave again, all together expect to be there 1 hour at the minimum. The pain is nothing as long as they give you plenty of novocaine. As they go deeper, if you feel any slight twinge of pain, raise your hand and ask them for another shot. I have been given up to 5 shots in one sitting. There is no reason for you to feel any pain. (And be sure they use the gel before the first novocaine shot - there is no reason not to and it dulls the sting of the first shot. A really good dentist will do the whole thing so you never feel any pain the entire time you are there. But a root canal takes time, so be patient while you are in the chair - bring a book or magazine.

[KansDem]

7. Sounds like I'll be off work for the whole day...

My work requires I use the phone a lot. I don't think I would be able to enunciate properly with several shots of Novocaine in the gums:

Me: "Uhmmm, thmmmu mumm phummb?"
Them: ?

[begin_within]

8. Probably for an hour or two. I also take

Advil before I go to the dentist, so that it is already taking effect before the novocaine wears off. Just keep taking Advil and you'll be fine. They may tell you not to chew on the side of the mouth they worked on for the rest of the day. Good day for just smoothies, milkshakes, etc.

[LynzM]

12. Depends on the skill of the person doing it, and current pain state

If the tooth is already irritated or infected, it's possible that it will hurt more if surrounding areas are also irritated. It also depends on the skill of the practicioner. I had one RC that lasted 3 hours and was sore (requiring ibuprofen) for 3 weeks, and one that took 30 minutes and was fine to eat on the next day. I think the second one is much closer to the norm, from others I've talked to.

I hope it goes smoothly and you're pain-free within a day or two! :hug:

[yorkiemommie1]

13. Doesn't hurt

At least mine didn't. It took a while but my dentist is such a quiet, calm, skilled man that I was calm thru each of the three he did for me.

I walked out of there and went shopping right afterward.

Good luck to you!

[Perseid]

14. I hear Vienna is nice this time of year! nt