Root Canal Tomorrow..will it hurt without anesthesia?

Question

My tooth is dead already. Will it hurt at all?? I hope not because I can't stand even a bit of pain..I'm a scaredy cat..haha..and the dentist said he won't give me anesthesia because it won't hurt....TRUE OR FALSE? help! thanks

Answer 1

I would ask for some novocaine. Even though the root is dead, the surrounding gum and tissue is not. I've had root canals and they always give me novocaine. But it won't hurt very badly, don't worry.

Answer 2

I'm no expert but I have had 4 wisdom teeth removed recently in separate sittings with a local anesthetic, and other work (filings etc.) without.

Potential pain is the nerve endings in the root of the tooth. If the tooth is already dead then that may mean it will be pretty painless.

I'd trust your dentist, he/she has no real motive to lie and they do this all the time. However if you are really worried the best thing you can do is ask your dentist more questions prior until you know for sure.

Answer 3

For the most part, there is no pain. There might be some pressure discomfort in the gums from the "dam" the dentist will put around the tooth. Your jaw might ache from being kept open so long. The saliva collecting in your throat is not painful, just a nuisance. All in all, I'd rather go shopping, but a root canal isn't that bad.

Answer 4

I have had six rootcanals and the one that was done on a dead tooth did not hurt until he got to the very last part in the jaw bone. My dentist told me that it would hurt right before it started to. I did not have any pain killers for that. The pain went right away after a couple of seconds, that is because the tooth is dead, but the nerve from the tooth to the jaw is still somewhat alive.I think you would rather have the couple of seconds of pain than the lasting feeling from the novacaine/laughing gas, that you get. PS: I have a terrible anxiety/panic disorder,so I understand fully what your going through. I have to get my mind straight every time I go to a medical appointment no matter what it is for.

Answer 5

Dentists are so different. Here's the scoop: if your tooth is dead, now, the root canal will just be nerve-wracking, not painful. Having to sit still will probably challenge you more than discomfort of any other kind. My dentist did a root canal for me and even though my tooth was dead, he used a bit of anesthetic just to quiet down the gum tissue adjacent to the tooth site. Drilling causes vibrations, &c., but he was very low key about all of this. Today, dentists use a pink salve beforehand to numb down the gum tissue before they even put in the anesthetic. It's okay to be a scaredy cat. I am, and I am 63 years old! I wish i could go with you to the dentist's and just be with you while he gets the anesthetic in. Once that is "in," you will probably fall asleep while he is working. I would tell him "I would like an anesthetic, regardless." If he balks, remember this, and seriously consider finding another dentist who will RESPECT YOUR WISHES. I have a thing with dentists generally. Their arrogance, their lectures, their high prices, and their general inconsideration of the patient. Fortunately for us, dentists are not all that way today. You can find one who actually puts you FIRST. I would have you find one of those and never go back to any dentist who treats you like secondary to his general daily agenda. Dentists are stressed out all the time, so if they appear to have no time for you, that probably explains it. Hunt down a great dentist. Just make a courtesy call to your old one telling his receptionist you will no longer be retaining his services because you have found a dentist who RESPECTS YOUR WISHES. I will, by the way, beholding good thoughts for you tomorrow while you go through that whole procedure. Sent to you with loads of steady care and concern, I am Chris, in South Portland, Maine, U.S.A.

Answer 6

Your dentist needs to anesthetize the area around where you're getting the root canal, otherwise it will hurt a lot. Even with anesthesia, a root canal is pretty uncomfortable.

Best wishes and God bless.

Answer 7

I never heard of having a root canal done without anesthesia. I urge you to get the shot. It is nothing at all to get a shot compared with... well, I'll spare you all of that. I've had several root canals, but I'm not a dentist.

Answer 8

From experience, false. The tooth may be dead but I bet the nerve is still active somewhere deep and that's what is going on in a root canal. They are taking out the nerve.

Answer 9

I have had three root canals, and would not even consider doing it with out the meds. Rather your tooth is dead or not, u will still feel the pain. You will mostly feel the tugging and pulling that he will do on your teeth, but trust me when I say there will still be pain

Answer 10

I went to a place that does the root canal all at once, takes about 3 hours. It doesn't hurt any more than getting a filling, but it is uncomfortable cause you have to hold your mouth open all that time. They will give you shots to deaden the pain/