Did you have a root canal done?

[mainewmn]

So I got a mild tooth ache on Friday. I assumed it was from too much sugar and took some Advil to make it go away, when that didn’t help I took some more, come Saturday morning I was in serious pain, of course the dentist office was close for the weekend so the only thing to do was to ice it and take plenty of pain killers. First thing Monday morning I was at the office just to be informed I needed to a) pull the tooth or b) have a root canal done, I opted for b) only because I really didn’t want to loose another tooth and I thought it would be cheaper in the long run then messing with the bridge and such. I got scheduled for Wednesday morning at 8:00 am to get it done. All day yesterday which was coincidently the last day of my stay at home vacation I worried and stressed for today, come today I was a nervous wreck. This was a few hours ago and I was just wondering if its just me or is the whole thing about the root canal being so painful a big bunch of bologna? I mean its not something I would do just for the heck of it but it was more of annoyance then anything, it was not painful, and the couple of times I did felt the slightest hint of anything the doctor gave me more numbing medicine. Now I have medicated fillings in and have to go back to get it finished up next month but the doctor assured me it was no going to be any more painful or eventful as what today was. I was due back at work today, but I called in on Monday to let them know I may not be in if I’m in a lot of pain, but everyone that found out I was going to have a root canal done today is shocked to see me here working today. The numbing medicine has wore off a couple of hours ago and I’m fine, the only part that is sore is the inside of my check where the work was done probably from the tools and such. So my question is this, am I unusual or it the way its suppose to be?

 

[imsorry]

I have had about 5 root canals, and like you said, they are not such a big deal. I think all the jokes you hear about them make you think they are worse than they really are - you know how they always say "I would rather have a root canal" like it is the worst thing in the world!

 

[mom2boys]

I've had two. The first one was a nightmare because the dentist was incompetent. It was more painful than childbirth! I was dreading my 2nd one - but had long since found a competent dentist. It was a breeze. I was fine after leaving the office.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I had one about a year ago. It wasn't bad at all. And mine was in the front tooth, because the nerve had died and caused an abcess (now THAT was painful). Since there is only one nerve in the front tooth, and mine was dead, I didn't require any novicaine at all No pain either. And it's amazing how much better you feel a day later. For me it was about 24 hours for the swelling from the infection to go down. Once it did, I was back to normal.
And the second part wasn't that bad. The first part really is the worst.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I just had one earlier this month and it was surprisingly a piece of cake! I had myself all upset and nervous for days before. The hardest part was keeping my mouth open that long because I have some TMJ issues. I was pleasantly surprised at how good I felt when I walked out of there!

 

[DisneyMim]

I've had many and need more. I had a bad dentist growing up and my teeth are a mess. Yes the pain you are describing is normal, don't worry. Take some advil or tylenol or whatever your dentist/doctor tells you is ok for you. I think the pain is more that you are expecting it to be bad because everyone tell you it is!! Hope this makes sense. If you have a good dentist who knows what he/she is doing the pain isn't bad. About a year ago I started going to a new dentist and I told him how scared I was and he was wonderful. I have since had a tooth pulled and am in the middle of an implant. My dentist gave me a subscription for pain killers, but really I found OTC stuff worked fine. Take care, try to take it easy today and be good to yourself. Eat something soft (scrambled eggs are good, mac and cheese). The pain will go away. Good Luck!!

 

[Figment2]

I can vouch for the pain - I was in root canal hell for over a month. I developed an infection so had to go to the dentist's office every other day to have it opened so it could drain. Finally I talked them into leaving it open and was just careful when I ate.

I never knew I sometimes snap my teeth until this happened (although it might have been the pain). I did have another one which wasn't bad at all.

Good luck!

Cyn

 

[mainewmn]

Thank you everyone, the reason I asked is because of this situation that played out in my office:

Client calls in and is surprised when I pick up the phone instead of it going into the voice mail. He expresses his surprise and adds “the other girls told me you would be out of the office till Thursday because you wore going to have a root canal done, how come you there? Did you not go to the dentists?” I informed him I went and I been at work since 10:00 am this morning busy as always, he proceeds to tell me how “I must be feeding him a line because if I had a root canal done then there is no way I could work, and blah, blah, blah,” I was like well I’m a walking proof that I’m here and I actually feel better now then I did this morning with this terrible tooth pain. He proceeded to tell me I must of got the procedure wrong because, blah, blah, blah, I told him I was sure it was a root canal and it was no different then having any other work done on my teeth, the only exception was the fact I had to keep my mouth open for longer period of time.

So thank you all because for a second there I was starting to think I was some kind of super woman!

 

[EthansMom]

I had quite a bit of discomfort after my root canal. But I only needed to have my bite adjusted (twice) and now am in no pain at all. I have my permanent filling done, but am waiting until after the holidays to start getting the crown work done on the tooth.

 

[mainewmn]

The thing is that there is NO pain, only mild discomfort on the side where the work was done, I LOVE my dentist. He is the kindest most gentle person ever and so good at what he does, the only part I don't like is the prices he charges, LOL.

ETA: I am taking penicillin since Monday to help the infection.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I had one done when I was a teenager (we won't tell how many years ago that was, lol) and the tooth BEFORE the root canal hurt me more than the root canal. I did get numbed, but never used the painkillers he gave me for afterwards as I didn't have any pain then.

Kimya

 

[DisneyPhD]

I hate going to the denist. Bad experinces growing up.

I have had 4 root cannels.

One was a moller. I had to go to a specailist to get it done. Turns out I had 5 nerves instead of the stanard 4. That was one bad and painful. I have a cap on the tooth, it is in the back and doesn't look like a real tooth.

I had 3 more since then. All front teeth. The wrost part was 2 of them I was 12 weeks pregnant for and absolutly misserible. I had to take antibotics for an absese and it made me so sick (I was already sick) I couldn't keep anything down. It was the lows of the lows for me.

I had another one last month. The tooth had been bugging me since Aug but I ignored it because I didn't want another one.

It was no big deal. I had to take antiobics again, they gave me heart burn but nothing pepicd AC couldn't take care of. This time I was able to take motrin and things are much better. Root canels when you can't take IB profin is a bad thing.

Good luck, I am rooting for you. Oh was that a bad pun? Forgive me.

 

[tialucy]

Really wish you didn't remind me !!

 

[AMcaptured]

Root Canals done by a good dentist shouldn't be much of a problem unless a patient lets them brew for months. It sounds like you were at your dentist within a short period of time of showing symptoms, so you are probably by the worse phase.

The discomfort you are feeling now is from the needle, especially if you needed more than just one injection.

Good Luck

 

[aprilgail2]

I've had 5 or 6 of them and they are no big deal...there was no pain during or after...the only pain I had was before I had it done! Otherwise I just went about my normal daily business right after getting it done....saem when I had a tooth pulled, I had a molar pulled during my lunch hour and went back to work after it. A lot has to do with how much pain you can take...people told me c-sectins were so terrible etc but I got out of the hospital on a monday night from my c-section and Tuesday morning I was out shopping in the mall...

 

[julie_yet]

I had one a couple of years ago and it was the most painful thing I've ever experienced. He gave me novocain and nitrous oxide to calm me down since I was a nervous wreck. As soon as he started I could feel every poke, prod, twist and turn of the needle. I did try telling him but I was so out of it from the gas I could barely raise my arms.

 

[Tiffann4k]

Ive had a root canal done, but it was a breeze compared to getting one of my wisdom teeth pulled.....I wont even go into details about that one...but I will give a few words. 1. I had to be knocked out 2. They had such a hard time they slipped and sliced my cheeck open & 3. dry socket for 2 weeks