Root Canal...

16 years ago

The procedure wasn't too bad, and the tooth didn't hurt much beforehand. I was petrified since I didn't know what to expect, and I'd always heard they can be very painful. Just a single root on a front lower tooth, which was finished yesterday. Abcess has returned, but Dr. wants me to wait on antibiotics, but he called it in just in case since I didn't want to wait until Monday.

I think I have another one coming up for an upper front tooth. My examination in a couple of weeks will determine that.

DH had THREE last year, even though he takes perfect care of his teeth -- Dr. says he clenches his teeth too much.

Ever have a root canal?

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Comments (11)

Marcia Thornley
16 years ago
I had one just two weeks ago. I never have a problem with them. The dentist did the root canal one day with a temporary filling and then I went back a week later after it had settled down for the permanent filling. At least once that root is gone there is no pain! What I really need is a Crown but my insurance won't cover that soooooooo
nancylouise5me
16 years ago
Yep, I had 2. One on a back tooth and one towards the front. First time I was petrified like you. But my dentist was so good that I didn't feel any pain at all. I was shaking like a leaf the whole time in the chair. He did a great job. The second time I knew what to expect so it wasn't so bad. Again no pain at all. That was years ago and I'm sure they are even better at doing them now a days. NancyLouise
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I've had several and its nothing to fear. There's some discomfort during the numbing process with the needle, but after it takes effect, you don't feel any pain. It is a 2 step process. For the first session, the root of the tooth is cleaned out and a temporary plug installed. An impression may be taken if a restorative crown is needed. The dentist sent me home with a prescription for a narcotic pain killer in case I needed it. However, in my case, the area stayed numb for a couple of hours and after that, I did not need any more pain management. In a week or two after the dentist is sure there is no infection in the tooth, he'll remove part of the temporary plug and install the permanent filling. If a crown is to be fitted, he may install a post on which to secure the crown. In many cases, the second session can be done without numbing since there will be no nerves in the tooth. The cost varies considerable depending on what is needed. The lowest cost is for a simple root canal and no work on the tooth, The next level up is if a crown has to be installed and the metal chosen for it (gold alloy is the most expensive). The 3rd cost level is when a ceramic crown (with post) is installed. I recently had this type since the entire top of my tooth broke off at the gum line. I mentioned that it was a 2 step process, but it can be more if the bone socket is infected around the tooth. The dentist will take measures to insure the infection is cleared up before proceeding (after the first step). This can take 2 to 3 weeks and the tooth is opened each time, inspected, and packed with medicine until the infection is gone.
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How do you deal with your dentist? This is what happens at my dentist's office. I go in for teeth cleaning. I always request this Ukrainian woman whom I feel does a good job. She takes X-rays of my teeth. She then cleans my teeth. Then she says she's going to bring in the dentist to examine my teeth, in case there are any problems. When the dentist pops into the room and looks at my teeth, she always finds problems. Two years ago, the dentist said I needed a root canal on one of my molars. Due to how expensive a root canal is, I only got around to having the root canal done last month. And I did not have my dentist do it. Instead, I went to Boston University's dental school for the procedure. It was much cheaper because it was done by a dental student under the supervision of a faculty member. On Monday I went to my regular dentist for cleaning. This time she found a couple of teeth that need fillings. But here's the big one: She feels that one of my lower back teeth needs a crown. I told her point blank that if I need a crown I'm returning to Boston University for I cannot afford her rates. In terms of the regular fillings, I can afford her but I'm wondering whether I really need them. I'm curious how other people handle their dentists. Do you simply go along with what your dentist suggests in terms of work that needs to get done on your teeth?
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A normal root canal may take a week or less, but in your case, I fear it will be longer. You are having pain and the nerve in the tooth is dead. Also dead are the blood vessels and chamber pulp. You are having pain because the tooth and probably its support structure are infected. The time required to open the tooth and clean it out, and then plug isn't much. The problem is this: The Dentist does not dare to put a permanent plug in that tooth until the infection has been conquered. How much time does that take - who knows, but its got to be done. Here's the drill. [Sorry about that choice of word :-) ]. The tooth is opened and cleaned out. An antibiotic may be inserted in the tooth. A temporary plug is installed and a pill form of antibiotic may be prescribed. Another session will be scheduled for exam. Followup sessions will continue until the infection has cleared and then the job will be completed with a permanent plug and filling. After completion, another followup may be recommended to insure that the infection is gone. An infection complicates a root canal. The root canal itself, does not require a lot of time. There is an upside. After successful completion, you will feel much better, and the tooth will seem normal.
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Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
16 years ago
I can't even count the number of root canal's I've had.

Gayle
susan_on
16 years ago
I had one root canal, and I had complications. My dentist said that complications arise in less than 1% of root canals. I got really sick, and was seeing double. He said he had just moved his practice to town, and almost moved right back out of town, it scared him so much.
gardenspice
16 years ago
I have several crowns, but only one of them required a root canal.
For me, the root canal was a cakewalk, epecially when compared to the crown buildup. I hate getting a crown build up.
I just had a replacement crown (I apparently cracked the 7 year old orginal) set yesterday. And I had my 6 month exam and cleaning. GRRRR... I have some very old amalgam fillings that need to be replaced - at least they are not need crowns.
kioni
16 years ago
Mush, I'm sure I was told not to wait longer than a year to get a crown on, that the temp they do wasn't meant to last forever. On the other hand, I'd wanted crowns on my 4 front uppers (cosmetic) and my dentist convinced me to try veneers first since they do less initial damage to teeth than putting a crown on does. At the time they told me veneers could last up to 10 years, depending on the types of foods you subject your teeth to...mine have been on for 19, with no problems. The dentist is very impressed!

As for a root canal, I had one done on a molar that had given me on again, off again grief for years. Do not relish getting that done again. Yet periodically the area will give me pain, usually after I've chewed something REALLY chewing, or this past session over Christmas was brought on by eating almonds (I think). I still worry that I'll be in that 1% that have a tooth that fails, and then I don't know what I'll do, since I need that tooth there!
whimzikl
16 years ago
Be sure to get a crown after the procedure..I had a root canal and was told I didn't need a crown...supposedly something new. Anyway a short 2 years later, that tooth cracked, was not repairable and had to have it taken out by an oral surgeon. He said the tooth that had the root canal was very brittle and having a crown would have prevented this! Oh well, live and learn, I guess!
alisande
16 years ago
Ditto Gayle.

If only they weren't so expensive!.
fandlil
16 years ago
I had one over 20 years ago. It was an emergency because my dentist was out of town & I was forced to go with somebody I didn't know. I was sick in bed for a whole week, and really scared that something very wrong had been done to me. Finally when my dentist got back I told him what I was going through. He said, "You must have what we call a hot tooth." I'm not sure what that means but he eased my mind that, although it was very uncomfortable, nothing wrong had been done to me. I hope never to have root canal again.
Happyladi
16 years ago
I had my first one a couple of years ago. Before my tooth was very sensitive to heat and cold. The root canal didn't hurt and afterwards the pain was gone. It was a relief.
petaloid
16 years ago
I had one root canal and crown a few years ago. No complications, but it was expensive even with my dental insurance.

It did help with sensitivity to heat & cold, but I hope to never need another one.

Why does he want you to wait on antibiotics? I have a heart murmur, so need to take some with any dental procedure, even cleaning. I would think with an abcess he'd want you on antibiotics right away.

I hope you recover quickly.

Root Canal...

Comments (11)

Marcia Thornley

nancylouise5me

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