Root Canal

[BraveLittleToaster2]

How much pain is a Root Canal? I need one done in a week and have severe anxiety. I'm hoping I don't cry through the whole thing.

Also, how long does it take? I'm getting it done by a endodontist. After that I need to make an appt with my regular dentist to put in a post. How long will that part take? Do they put the permanent filling in at the same time as the post, or will I have to wait??

 

[Cherbear013]

With mine I found I was in the most pain before I got a root canal. I was getting sick and crying nonstop because I had an abcess in my tooth. The actual root canal was a savior! Once you get the novocaine you don't feel anything. It takes about as long as when you get a filling. I didn't have any issues afterward either. I think people think its way worse than it actually is!!

 

[Nohal]

I have had MANY root canals. You will be numb and shouldn't feel anything, it doesn't take long. If it is a molar it will require more than one visit as there are more roots in a molar and they do one at a time. If you have no pain now the root is probably dead already and you shouldn't have a problem afterwards. I don't understand why you need a post unless it was a tooth with a crown that broke and needs the post to hold the tooth in. When you are finished at the endodontist, you call your dentist to have the permanent filling put in. It has been awhile since I had one done but after a few months you will get a card to call the endodontist to have a xray to make sure everything is ok.

 

[DVCLiz]

Please don't work yourself up. I had a cavity under a crown that turned into a root canal, with the post and core followed by THREE, count 'em, three temporary crowns and I go back next week for the permanent crown.

None of it was painful in the least. Ask if you can listen to an iPod, etc. Or just plan to think of something else while they are doing the procedure (I went through my whole upcoming Disney trip in my head, day by day!) It took about an hour and a half - I was able to be worked in at the endodontist so I was already numb from the dentist removing the crown and drilling the decay.

I didn't feel a thing - just the usual willies I get because of the drill sound, which I hate.
If I can survive it, I know you can!

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

I think if I was actually IN PAIN then I wouldn't be as worried, but right now the tooth isnt bothering me at all, I just have a pea sized lump near where the base of the root would be. I was on antibiotics for 12 days and it's STILL there.

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

I'm not sure why I need the post either. The endodontist told me I have to go see my regular dentist afterward for an appt. So I called my regular dentist to ask about that and they said I would need to make an appt to get my post in after...But I'll have to ask about that again, because I did read online that teeth dont always need posts.
I have only a small filling in the tooth.
It's a back molar....they never do more then one root at a time??? I can't imagine having to go through it 4 times!!!

Thanks for the reassurance!

 

[a1tinkfans]

How much pain is a Root Canal? I need one done in a week and have severe anxiety. I'm hoping I don't cry through the whole thing.

Also, how long does it take? I'm getting it done by a endodontist. After that I need to make an appt with my regular dentist to put in a post. How long will that part take? Do they put the permanent filling in at the same time as the post, or will I have to wait??

You will likely have No pain, the stress is knowing you have to have it. They give you meds and you will not feel a thing (atleast in the ones I have had)
I had one done by an endo after my own dentist worked on me for 1 hour, it was a very long, narrow, deep root. Then said she was not comfortable trying anymore. A nightmare, but no pain, just annoying. Honestly though, the worst of the whole thing was the worry. It took the endo what felt like forever, what turned out to be over 2 hours in the chair, and that was awful for me. Again no pain, but pressure as he said the same thing the dentist said, it was very very deep and long.
I was given pain meds, just in case, never filled script Just took OTC instead and it was fine.
So, for me, no biggie, though I am not running back for more..
Best of luck to you.....and try not to worry, really...good dentists know what they're doing...

 

[Nohal]

I could be wrong about the more than one visit for the roots. Like I said it has been awhile. The first 2 root canals I had done 40 yrs ago. And over the years have had at least 5 more. It may only require one visit. If you don't have a crown on the tooth, you will only need to have a permanent filling put in afterward. I don't understand what the post is for. You may need to check with your dentist about that. It really is no big deal, not much different than having a tooth filled. Good luck.

 

[DVCLiz]

My tooth was the bottom furthest back and they did everything they needed to in one visit, including the post in order to build the remaining tooth up. I lost two temporary caps before they made a third and so far it is holding. Please don't work yourself up - just go to the dentist and relax once you have the Novacaine. Make sure you are numb and then just close your eyes. I have a dental phobia too from many years ago and I did fine. You will, too!

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

I was considering IV sedation like I had for my wisdom teeth, but decided against it since I know its multiple appts and I cant keep getting that all the time, as I'm sure its not good to overuse.
Anyone think Nitrous will help at all, or make me more panicky?

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I've had a lot of dental work, including root canals. You will be fine. You will not feel any pain during the procedure. You will need 2 appointments. One for the root canal and one to put the permanent crown in. They should be able to do the build up and mold on the day of the root canal.

I developed a dental phobia when I was a child. It was because I had a root canal done on me with no novacaine! It was a horrible experience and now that I look back on it, I wonder if it was really a licensed dentist. Years later, another dentist told me what a horrible job of a root canal had been performed on that tooth. The dentist had to go back in and finish the job.

Now that I am an adult, I found a dentist and told her about my previous experience. Letting the dentist know about your fear will allow them to help you handle the anxiety a lot better. I've been able to do a couple of root canals, fillings, and a dental implant as an adult. You can do it, op. Just sit back and relax. You won't feel pain.

BraveLittleToaster2, I had Nitrous prior to oral surgery. I was not nervous at all, but they said it was standard procedure. Well, the nitrous made me nervous and jittery, so I asked them to turn it off.

 

[Cat0727]

I was considering IV sedation like I had for my wisdom teeth, but decided against it since I know its multiple appts and I cant keep getting that all the time, as I'm sure its not good to overuse.
Anyone think Nitrous will help at all, or make me more panicky?

Would your dentist prescribe you a couple of anti-anxiety pills so you can take one before you have your root canal?

 

[Shutterbug]

I had one done this past summer and it was a back upper tooth.

The only discomfort I had was from all the gear in my mouth to hold it open.
I think I was in the chair for just lil over an hour. One of the roots had a side branch so it took a lil longer.

If you are really having anxiety over it and you have someone to drive you maybe you could get the endodonist to prescribe a valium for you to take before you go.

 

[Agri]

Just relax. If they start work on you and you can still feel it - speak up! You don't need to sit there and suffer.

The larger the tooth, the more root canals there are to clean out. I had a molar done and it took several visits - they could only keep me numb but for so long and I could only keep my mouth open but for so long.

As for the post/filling/cap thing - the post goes into the tooth to stabilize the filling for the cap. The permanent cap is custom-fitted to the individual.

I've had a lot of dental work and I haven't had nitrous in years. It doesn't do much as far as actually numbing you and I hate the feeling of the mask on my face when I have to constantly keep my mouth open. I just make sure they put enough stuff in me to numb me really well - I'll keep testing by poking the gum in the area with my fingernail.

 

[java]

Top or bottom? Mine was on top and really wasn't bad at all. I was scared to death. Had cancelled the appointment twice before finally being in somuch pain I had to do it. And it was easy.

Mine was one appointment doing most of it, came back next day to finish. Then temp crown put on. Two weeks later got the perm crown and it was easy. I'll assume that the endo guy wil finish you all in one day, then the post goes in at the dentist with permanent one to follow.

Trust me if I can do it so can you!

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

I've never tried the anti anxiety pills before because I tend to have a sensitive stomach with things like that and don't want to have problems right before I have to sit for a long period of time.
Mine is a back upper tooth as well.
Maybe I should bring something to cover my eyes with as seeing things going into my mouth is nerve wracking as well.
I guess I'm nervous about sensitivity or pain afterwards since I'm starting with none, you know?

 

[lsyorke]

I guess I'm nervous about sensitivity or pain afterwards since I'm starting with none, you know?

Why are they doing a root canal if the tooth isn't bothering you? I'm the queen of root canals, not a big deal. My dentist is awesome and none have taken longer than 45 minutes, done in one visit. Second visit is impressions for the cap, post put in. Third visit, cap on!

If you don't cap a tooth that is root canaled it will deteriorate over time.

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

Why are they doing a root canal if the tooth isn't bothering you?

I have a pea sized swelling on my gum in the area where the root of the tooth sits. It is not painful but I cannot eat anything REAL hard like chips on that tooth as it feels really weak and cannot withstand much pressure.
I wish I could wait on it since my insurance for dental has already been used up for the year, so I need to pay 1450 cash just for the root canal, it doesn't even include the post or cap.
I was an antibiotics for about 12 days and the pea sized lump is still there. Could it be something aside from a an abscessed tooth? My dentist said something about a sinus issue maybe, but I don't have any sinus related problems like stuffy nose or congestion etc.

 

[WDWBarb]

I've had two - neither were a big deal even though my dentist had trouble numbing the tooth. She always offers me pain meds but there's no need. The last one I forgot about the root canal and bit down on something too hard (it was Captain Crunch, if I recall correctly) and I bruised the tooth and that wasn't great, but it was totally my fault.

My dentist has a hand masseuse who gives the most amazing massages during the procedure. Last time I begged them to do another tooth when she was done because I was soooo relaxed and didn't want it to be over!