I had one last fall - after my dentist drilled too deeply into my tooth to replace an old filling. He damaged my root, without admitting it of course. The pain was almost unbearable as I had to wait about a week to get into the endodontist for the root canal. Such relief! You'll feel great afterwards because the root causing the pain will be gone.

Same as above. The process is not fun and lengthy but I've never had any problems with pain afterward. Not fun meaning all the sounds you hear and the sensation of them cleaning out the root, no pain but you can tell they are really working in there.

I've had two root canals in the past 5 years. After all you have gone through, pain-wise, the root canal will be easy. I had very little "pain"--took two Advil that evening, and that was all I needed. Good Luck!! I hate having dental work....

Despite dreading the thought of having it done for days, it wasn't bad at all. I've had fillings that were much more unpleasant. Do not recall any pain afterwards and didn't need anything for pain. I wondered why all the negative references to root canal.

Don’t stress. If the nerve is dead you won’t have any pain at all.

Two. The procedure was long and painless. But the results made it worth it after all the previous pain.

Thanks, everyone, feeling a little better now. I had a lot of dental work as a kid (braces, etc) but having that mouth guard made was very unpleasant. I thought I was going to suffocate. Seriously thought that goop was going to block my airway. Then he re-filled a tooth and couldn't get me numb and the re-filling is still bothering me. I can't chew on that side, and very sensitive to cold. The new dentist filed it down a bit, and it physically feels a little better but still sensitive to cold. I can't wait to be done with all this dental work!

Glad everything went well. I've never understood all of the negative references to root canals either. The only pain from a root canal I feel is the pain to my wallet!

I've had them both ways - one that hurt like crazy and the last one only hurt my pocketbook as I had no dental insurance at that time. Over the years, I've had 4-5 and the last one was the easiest - new equipment and new technique.

Pretty painless experience every time.

My experience was like the others...However. I have learned over the years to never to come across as brave to a medical professional. I don't want any doctor to think I'm anything other than a weeny. I want them to err on the side of pain management... :)

Odds are it will be a non-event for you but we're humans and we all have different experiences and this is new for you.

sleeper and others, some people just have sensitive teeth. Some have it all of their lives others as their mouths change. As you get older the gums start receding from the teeth. You may find that you need to switch types of sensodyne. I had a problem and found that after about a year my tooth that was sensitive started having the problem again. The place I buy those things was out of my regular type so had to switch. The new tube worked better. I do not know if the original tube became less effective as it aged or if there was something with my teeth. Just a suggestion. I too never had problems when I had root canals worked on.

I hope you're going to an endodontist. Good luck, it should be a pain-free experience.

For continued problems with a bridge and/or the teeth it's anchored to, you may be best served by seeing a prosthodontist.

I'm not sure how many root canals I have had. You know what they will do, right? They use a series of ever-narrowing files to remove the root 'pulp' that contains the nerves. It's important that they get ALL the material out, way down into every root (3 or 4 per tooth). After the anesthetic is injected there are no more ouchies.

It is tedious to sit in the dental chair for an hour. I ask for a chock to hold my (small) jaw open. The only discomfort I've had is in my jaw and my back, from sitting still for so long. Having a molar with long roots pulled was *much* more traumatic -- although over faster. That's the only procedure where I had to lie down for a few minutes afterwards before I could leave the office. (The oral surgeon wants a little 'recovery' period.)

I dislike the rubbery 'shield' that's constructed over my mouth for root canals. Some dentists are doing that too. I don't see the need to create a mini-operating-theater for every dental procedure.

I've had several and 2 of them didn't work. My dentist even gave me a refund since it failed. They don't bother me or hurt but they are expensive. I hope I don't have anumore soince I don't have good luck with them working.

joanne, fee refunds from dentists are often a gesture made when the dentist thinks s/he screwed up and with hope that doing so avoids a malpractice claim. After having one "failure", did you have the second one done by another dentist? An endodontist?

Well, I survived. Wouldn't say it was exactly pain free, it really hurt when he numbed it even after putting the topical on. It's pretty numb now, but I expect it to hurt when the local wears off. I went to this practice, Elmer, on the recommendation of a surgeon I work with. Not an endodontist. I was just happy they could save my bridge. All this time I thought the pain was coming from the bridge, not the adjacent tooth. I have had it with dental visits for a while. Hope I can stay away til my next cleaning in June!

A few of years ago I was sent to get a root canal and the endodontist refused to do it. Her interpretation of the X-ray didn't warrant a root canal. Some dentists are not the best at reading an X-ray. That tooth is still trouble free.

Some dentists aren't the best at lots of things. Your experience with the endodontist demonstrates why dental specialists of the various kinds are worth making an effort to use. GPs are GPs, jacks of all trades but sometimes masters of none. For most things people need, they're fine. But not when the task involves procedures other dentists have done residencies to learn more and do more.

Root canals were easy and pain free. Hated the whole crown thing. That awful pink gunk in my mouth and having to bite down hard to the point I felt like I had lock jaw. Hate, hate, hate crowns!

I had two root canals and I recovered pain free. I had two wisdom teeth that were impacted pulled a few months ago and got a dry socket infection....OH the PAIN!! I lost 15lbs and was in pain for a month. I choose to recover without pain medication as it makes me vomit. It was AWFUL. Finally the dentist bonded the exposed roots in my mouth that weren’t healing. I gained 5lbs in a week lol.

Sounds horrible, Sabbath. Local is wearing off and no pain, fingers crossed. Taking 3 ibuprofen and 1 tylenol every 6 hours per instructions.

Sleeperblues- I hope that you feel better soon!

When I had a molar extraction, the oral surgeon had me on that regimen (though it was 3 and 2) but staggered so I took one in the middle of the interval of the other, etc., so that there was no "wearing off" at the same time sensation. Maybe you're doing that, this is your business after all!.

I’ve had several thru the years getting the numbing shots is all ways the worst. One of my root canals the endodontist broke thru to my sinus’, ended up fighting an infection for over a year! Had to see an ENT and have surgery. But all is well now.

I had one last year. One of my old fillings leaked and caused an abscess. It was the worst pain I've ever felt and I have had multiple kidney stones! The root canal was such a relief. I'm glad it went ok.

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.

Jem, I'm not finding my course as you have stated above. He did say only 1 branch of the nerve had been infected. He did put some bleach solution in there and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes before he removed it and plugged it. No oral antibiotics needed.

I missed my 0200 dose of ibuprofen/tylenol due to being asleep, so this morning it is throbbing a bit, but just dosed myself up and expect to be pain free soon.