Root Canal - Help!!!

[mom2boys]

Dentist says I need not one, but two root canals Has anyone not had this procedure when it was recommended? Do you regret it? Any had the root canal & regreted that (once the pain wore off)? I am not sure how to go about making this decision. Any suggestions?

 

[mtemm]

I think the only option is to go ahead and have the tooth (teeth) pulled. I wasn't nuts about the root canal I had, but I'd have it all over again if it meant keeping my teeth!

I definitely would not just ignore the need...if its infected, the infection can end up spreading to your other teeth.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I have had 2 root canals and they were truly not a pain at all. Not much more than getting a filling. I did not even need the pain med. In fact, the pain was much better AFTER the root canal as the tooth had been hurting.

 

[binny]

well Ive had 2 root canals ( not at the same time) first no pain meds it was fine not a problem the second one I wanted to die it hurt so bad!! I think it depends on where you are in the cycle of infection. They will have to clean up the infection first with antibiotics.


PLEASE pay attention to your doc though. the first one I let go and it became absessed when I was 8 months pg. My throat started closing and I couldnt breathe. dh rushed me to the ER where I had to have an IV stint put in and go back and forth to the hospital all day long to add more antibiotics. the doc told me tooth infections are terrible and you could really be risking a lot if you let it go. I dont mean to scare you but relaly its important to get the infection cleared up!

Clearing the infection is easy most times with antibiotics.

if you do decide to have them taken out ask first if you could be a candidate for a dental implant they can actually put a permanent false tooth in where you had a gap.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[mickey65]

I have had 2 root canals done. The second one the dentist told me I needed to have the tooth extracted. Thanks to the knowledge and experience of another Diser, I went for a second opinion. this dentist told me it was do-able to have the root canal, but it might not be successful. So, I took a chance and had it done. 3 years later it is still holding up. For me, the pain of a root canal was not bad. The worst part for me was taking the imprint for the crown. Pretty bad tasting stuff they use to mold it. Otherwise, it was wonderful to have the pain from the infection gone. Good luck with what ever you do.

 

[mom2boys]

I think I will probably go ahead with the root canals. My dentist will do them in his office & he does not recommend a crown. You ALL know what I could do with the $$$ I will be spending on my mouth.

 

[grinningghost]

I just had a root canal last Wednesday. I did fine with it until Easter Sunday, when I developed alot of pain. Just saw the endodontist again today. He took another x-ray and said the root canal was still perfect, but I had developed an allergic reaction to the cement. I am now on a "powerful drug" (that's what the pharmacist called it), and I feel a thousand times better already.

He also said I may need another root canal on the tooth next to this one. I just assume get one rather than loose a tooth. I already lost one molar several years ago. I'm not ready to give up another one.

Good luck - and truthfully, the root canal procedure is not terrible, as long as they numb you up enough. I needed another shot to ease the pain, but that took care of it completely.

 

[dclwdwlover]

Root canal pain can come & go even over a very long period of time. If you let it go the infection can also go into your bone & then you have to have an 'Apico' (I think it's short for Apicoectomy, but don't quote me) done which is MUCH, MUCH more painful & worse. I won't even go into it because it sounds like you'll probably go thru w/the RC & I don't want to scare you. Get a 2nd drs. opinion if you are still unsure.

 

[denisem]

When in doubt, get a second opinion.

Can't say that I've regretted any of my dental stuff (ranging from capped front teeth from bein' a klutzy kid, impacted wisdom teeth, root canals, even the root canal that suddenly that caused me pain YEARS later which resulted in the aforementioned apicoectomy).

All in all, keeping my natural teeth was less "painful" than the partial plate/implant estimate I got years later

I found most horror stories were worse than the actual procedures. I just learned to take the prescribed pain meds promptly, rather than tryin' to go without and be "brave".

Denise < ---- lousy teeth, but offset by general good health

 

[peg2001]

I've had 2 root canals and for me, they were a RELIEF!! I was in so much pain beforehand that I didn't care what the dentist had to do to make the pain stop. Afterwards, if they remove the entire root of the tooth, there is no pain, the nerve is gone.

The root canal procedure itself was not painful, just took a long time. I always ask for a biting block, which is a soft wedge of rubber that they put in the opposite side of the mouth so that I don't have to hold my mouth open myself. Seriously, this has made dental work much more tolerable for me. Now I ask for it even for a simple filling.

Good luck.

Peggy

 

[mamajoan]

Hi. I had a root canal over the holidays.. I was sooo very happy to be relieved of the horrid pain I was in..... I would have dropped to my knees to thank the endodontist for the procedure!

Take care.. I hope all goes well for you!
Joan

 

[nativetxn]

I've had two root canals. I've never "not" had one done when I needed it.

Actually, the root canal really wasn't all that bad. The only bad part was the injections of novocaine. I have this phobia about injections in my mouth. So, it doesn't matter if I'm getting just a filling or a root canal, this is the bad part for me, injections.

Good luck with this.