Today I had a dental appointment and it was for a tooth that I've been experencing pain with for a while. They were supposed to extract it outta my mouth but then they thought they could save it.

Omfg. They started drilling and putting pressure on it so much that I cried, I started having a throbbing pain and as soon as I told her she said it has to come out or I have to have a root canal.. Sad

So I might just have it out all together.. Crying or Very sad

Anyone had this trouble before?
Have you had a root canal?

I actually haven't been to a dentist since I was like 5... I'm 19 (20 in 5 months).... I'm terrified as to what they would do to my mouth...-.-

My father just had a root canal this past year. It isn't pleasant. :(

But if you talk with the dentist beforehand (and the assistants too), they can give you a clear idea of exactly what's going to happen, how they'll be able to numb your mouth, what to do if you're in pain, and what kind of care you can expect afterward. You really need to ask a lot of questions in a situation like this. It'll help you get through the appointment and will probably help to calm your nerves. :)

I've had not one, not two, but THREE root canals so far...And in April I have to get one of those three re-treated (which is basically doing the root canal ALL over again). D:! 2/3 of them have failed (one had to be removed, and the other is going to be treated in April).

First off, I'm going to tell you that it's GOING TO SUCK. HARD. But, on the upside, you get to keep your tooth! Instead of having a useless gaping hole in your mouth.
It usually takes 3-4 appointments to get the root canal done, too. So plan accordingly.

Also, it's going to be a very uncomfortable, very long procedure. Every appointment takes at least a half hour, sometimes more, especially the first appointment, and if you have a second day or drilling that might be a close second, or even surpass the first.
And again, it's going to suck. Most dentists will let you bring/wear headphones or a music player, as long as you keep the volume low enough so that you can hear them when they speak.

However, if you're not afraid of needles, and you have a good dentist, it's not that bad. They numb you up a LOT, like you'll be numb most of the rest of the day. So, you'll just hear the drilling and maybe some pressure, but usually you're numbed up so much that you won't feel the pressure (at least I didn't and it was /wonderful/, the pressure would have gotten me).

The post op is usually the painful part. I mean, they did just yank a nerve out of your tooth. Most of the time they'll give you ibuprofen, and an antibiotic, to prevent infection. But if the pain is severe (like can't focus can't do anything ibuprofen doesn't help) post op, CALL YOUR DENTIST. They will probably prescribe you vicodin for it. Take it at night before you go to bed so you can sleep through the night AND MAKE SURE TO EAT SOMETHING!!!! Not eating + vicodin = the world's most painful stomach cramps ever, worse than any pain in your tooth.

I've never had a cavity before so I can't really lend you any examples of relatable experiences. >w<'

Ask if your insurance will cover, and if you're an elligible candidate for a dental implant. It's expensive, but it's a valid alternative to a root canal. In all honesty though, I would just get the root canal over and done with >>' The longer you wait, the worse it will probably be.

Can you get nitrous for pain? OMG, that stuff is incredible! I had my wisdom teeth removed and actually had FUN during the procedure. I was laughing at everything. Breath very deeply to get the most from it. The worst part for me was just after, when the nitrous made me nauseous. I'm prone to that with anesthesia though and it doesn't happen to everyone.

Oh, also you should get pain meds and those are pretty nice too.

I have never had a root canal, but I have bad experiences with dentists since my very first dental appointment. That is why i think I hate the dentist. I have had about 8 fillings.
My very first dentist appointment when I was about one, was horrible. The pulled teeth that were not even out of my gums yet. Then when I was eight, I got six teeth pulled. Frieghtning.
Then just a few weeks ago I had my first cavity. And there was eight of them. Now I fear the dentist. He is so mean. I can not even understand him! He is like Indian or something. And he like yells at the nice assitants! And he yells about everything. I hate him. Good luck with the root canal. My mom had one not too long ago. She said it hurt at first, but after a few days it got better.

Originally Posted by Deviant

I've never had a cavity before so I can't really lend you any examples of relatable experiences. >w<'

Ask if your insurance will cover, and if you're an elligible candidate for a dental implant. It's expensive, but it's a valid alternative to a root canal. In all honesty though, I would just get the root canal over and done with >>' The longer you wait, the worse it will probably be.

Dental implantation is an awful procedure. They have to scape bone, sometimes even do bone graphs.

@[email protected]
Bleh, that's the only reason I opted for the root canal this time, actually.

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Originally Posted by cherry cocaine

Can you get nitrous for pain? OMG, that stuff is incredible! I had my wisdom teeth removed and actually had FUN during the procedure. I was laughing at everything. Breath very deeply to get the most from it. The worst part for me was just after, when the nitrous made me nauseous. I'm prone to that with anesthesia though and it doesn't happen to everyone.

Oh, also you should get pain meds and those are pretty nice too.

Nitrous isn't very common anymore, and most dental places don't do it at all. Just saying. ^^

@monstahh`- Ah, really? I told my dentist I wanted it and he knew the surgeon to send me to. I found my dentist years ago by googling "pain free dentist" or something like that.

Originally Posted by monstahh`

Dental implantation is an awful procedure. They have to scape bone, sometimes even do bone graphs.

@[email protected]
Bleh, that's the only reason I opted for the root canal this time, actually^^

Yeah, it's a surgery nonetheless. But it is an option, and the problem with a root canal is that the tooth will always be able to contract infections and decay in the future. Or something annoying can happen like the crown coming off.

It's something to weigh I suppose. I just hope I never have to get one .____.

Originally Posted by Deviant

Yeah, it's a surgery nonetheless. But it is an option, and the problem with a root canal is that the tooth will always be able to contract infections and decay in the future. Or something annoying can happen like the crown coming off.

It's something to weigh I suppose. I just hope I never have to get one .____.

Yeah, and root canals have to be touched up, and have a potential for failing, but they're also quite a bit cheaper.

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Originally Posted by cherry cocaine

@monstahh`- Ah, really? I told my dentist I wanted it and he knew the surgeon to send me to. I found my dentist years ago by googling "pain free dentist" or something like that.

Well, at least most places around here don't use it. If you're getting oral surgery, like your wisdom teeth out, they might just knock you out, but, mostly it's awake and fully aware, even for root canals and wisdom teeth.

I have a dental therapist, The needles don't bother me so much. It's the pressure and drilling I can't stand..

I'm not sure if I'll be able to cope. They numbed me up on my last appointment but I could still feel the pressure and the pain was horrendous.

Originally Posted by Paradise

I have a dental therapist, The needles don't bother me so much. It's the pressure and drilling I can't stand..

I'm not sure if I'll be able to cope. They numbed me up on my last appointment but I could still feel the pressure and the pain was horrendous.

D: Try listening to music?
I listen to music and play the "look at the clouds" game with the ceiling tiles...It's that type of corky ceiling that has the little holes in it, and I try to imagine different things being made with the little holes. :x

You could also try asking for more numbing, if you're still feeling pain?

they told me to raise my hand when i felt pain and the gave me more laughing gas and more morphine. the feeling is so weird but i was laughing the whole time because it felt so weird.:) goodluck

Urkh, I've had a root canal and MANY holes. And it isn't very nice no.
My advice take anesthesia if you can, I usually don't, which is so stupid, but I just can't stand those needles and the feeling afterwards. But I guess I've gotten used to the drills by now >.<