root canals?

Question

I was just informed today that I have to have two root canals. I've never had one before and I'm very nervous. What's the best and worst that I can expect? Anything I should do to prepare myself (besides all the antibiotics I'm supposed to take)

Answer 1

First of all RELAX. Don't believe the horror stories! I'm speaking from experience. I have had about 10 root canals. Not that I don't take care of my teeth, I do....I brush 3 times a day and floss even more than that a day, but some people's teeth are better than others. You don't feel any pain....they give you novicane, and then they drill your tooth like they would for a cavity, and then they take these tiny needles and put them in the tooth and twist them around which actually kills the nerve. It takes about 35 minutes for the process. They will fill the tooth with a temporary filling when they are done, and eventually fit you for a cap. I can think of much worse things that I would rather NOT be doing than having a root canal. Infact my dentist, teases me...asking me if I haven't got something better to be doing than to be having a root canal. So relax, and let me know how you make out!

Answer 2

Prepare yourself for the fact that root canals are not always a success.

With a root canal, what you have is a functional tooth without a nerve.
In effect, a dead tooth.

In a worst case scenario, if it is not a success then you will have to have the tooth removed.

Ah yes! All that money spent for nothing. It's a possibility you know!

Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the damaged, diseased or dead pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled. This procedure seals off the root canal. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment saves many teeth that would otherwise be lost.
The most common causes of pulp damage or death are:

A cracked tooth
A deep cavity
An injury to a tooth, such as a severe knock to the tooth, either recent or in the past
Once the pulp is infected or dead, if left untreated, pus can build up at the root tip in the jawbone, forming an abscess. An abscess can destroy the bone surrounding the tooth and cause pain


Root canal treatment consists of several steps that take place over several office visits, depending on the situation. These steps are:

First, an opening is made through the back of a front tooth or the crown of a molar or pre-molar.
After the diseased pulp is removed (a pulpectomy), the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped in preparation for being filled.
If more than one visit is needed, a temporary filling is placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between dental visits.
The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal permanently filled. A tapered, rubbery material called gutta-percha is inserted into each of the canals and is often sealed into place with cement. Sometimes a metal or plastic rod is placed in the canal for structural support.
In the final step, a crown is usually placed over the tooth to restore its natural shape and appearance. If the tooth is very broken down, a post may be required to build it up prior to placing a crown.

Your treated and restored tooth/teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. Because tooth decay can still occur in treated teeth, good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to prevent further problems.

As there is no longer a pulp keeping the tooth alive, root-treated teeth can become brittle and are more prone to fracture. This is an important consideration when deciding whether to crown or fill a tooth after root canal treatment.

To determine the success or failure of root canal treatment, the most relied-upon method is to compare new X-rays with those taken prior to treatment. This comparison will show whether bone continues to be lost or is being regenerated.

Dental Tech. U.S. Navy 1978-1981

Answer 3

Root canal treatment and subsequent tooth restoration usually involves three steps.

· First, your dentist removes the infection to promote healing.

· Next, he places a post to strengthen the tooth.

· Finally, he crowns the tooth to protect it.

Your dentist wants the entire procedure to be comfortable for you, so the first thing he'll do is make sure you're thoroughly numb. Then, he will place a rubber dam around your tooth to isolate it from the rest of your mouth. It protects you by keeping debris from falling to the back of your throat. It also keeps the tooth dry and accessible so your dentist can do a better job.

To get at the infection, he makes an opening through the top of the tooth down into the pulp chamber. With a dental file, your dentist (or endodontist) carefully cleans out the infected tissue and shapes the canals to receive the filling material. X-rays are taken to make sure that all of the infected pulp is removed.

Sometimes it's necessary to strengthen a tooth with a post. The post is cemented down inside one of the root canals.

Making a crown is the last step in restoring your tooth. It protects your tooth and give you back your smile.

To prepare for the root canal visit, you need to wear warm and comfortabe clothes. Each visit can take from 1 to 2 hours. If you have a morning appointment, make sure you eat breakfast; if you have the afternoon appointment, eat a light lunch. If you have any regular medications (such as the inhaler for asthma, insulin for diabetic, and high blood pressure drugs for cardiovascular diseases), bring them with you. Have a good night rest prior to the visit; however, avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products.

See the following links for instruction after your root canal therapy.
Best wishes,

Answer 4

Since you're taking antibiotics, you'll be fine. I literally just had one and I'm still numb, but I felt no more pain that I do during a typical filling. The worst parts were when they gave me the shots, but that is nothing close to the unrelentless pain I have been feeling every day for the last couple of weeks. It's just a slight pinch and it's over. Once they drilled past the sensitive spot in the middle of my tooth, I couldn't feel anything at all. It was not the horrible shock of pain that I kept reading about from others. Perhaps they were the ones that never took any antibiotics. Who knows? It was so boring waiting for the doctor to come in. Once the doctor came in, it was over pretty quickly. What I mostly didn't like was that it was difficult to swallow with all the things they put in my mouth to keep me from closing it. When they did the x-rays, it was worse because I had to remember to breathe through my nose. A couple of times, I felt like I almost choked from the saliva that puddled in my mouth from not really being able to swallow. But this is because I kept forgetting to breathe through my nose which people are supposed to do anyway. Now, I 've been told I cannot chew with that tooth because it's a temporary filling. I get my permanent one next week, though. I'll be able to chew with it. Do prepare yourself by trying to remain calm, remembering to breathe through your nose during the procedure, and making sure you use the restroom. It didn't take that long once the doctor came into the room, but I waited for quite some time while they were letting me get numb and I was afraid to ask to go to the restroom with that paper thing around my neck and the x-ray vest on.

Answer 5

Root canals aren't as bad as you may think. My sister has gotten a few root canals and she didn't even know!! Do I would tell you not to worry at all. Ever since I was 13, I have been scared to death about getting my widom teeth pulled. I haven't done it yet but I'll have to do it soon .. I am so terrffied because I have heard that it hurts but I've also heard that you don't feel a thing. 2 years ago I also had to pull out two pernament teeth so I could get braces. I was worrying all summer and couldnt stop thinking about it. Until it was over with, it didnt hurt and I felt like I wasted my whole summer worrying for nothing!

So far I have not heard any horror stories about root canals but I hear people saying "oh my gosh I have to get a root canal" but i never hear them saying that it was painful afterwards. Don't worry about it and stop thinking about it. Trust me, I understand how you may feel .. it wont be as bad ad you think it is. And i dont think you'll feel a thing!! *hug* I know this doenst answer your question but just incase youre worried, im telling you not to.

Answer 6

A root canal would not damage anymore than getting a filling. The discomfort linked with root canal is from the an infection and rot that leads as a lot because it, no longer the technique itself. i'd come to a decision on the inspiration canal over extraction. i have had various.

Answer 7

Yeah, it can hurt, maybe 1 out of 10 times. That 1 guy where it hurts probably waited until the tooth was already really killing him before he went for treatment. I tell my patients that root canal treatments are like teenagers. 9 out of 10 are no problem at all, but you always hear about the bad ones.

Answer 8

Root cannal is a nerve treament for yours tooth. Nowaday very easy by a dentist. It will take about 1 hour for the treatment, then after that you will need to put a crown on it. Do not worry just tell the dentist if you feel any PAIN. sit back and relax, I suggest you bring an ipod .

Answer 9

I had one a year ago. I had to have it because a dentist from my childhood was supposed to take care of a cavity but didn't get it all and it rotted out my tooth from the inside. I told them i was nervous cause last time the dr didn't use enough numbing stuff. I didn't feel anything. They were great. I was numb all the way up to my eye and I was really happy/goofy. They used shots, not gas. They might prescribe a pain killer but I didn't really need mine.

Answer 10

I haven't had one but everyone I know who has said it was a piece of cake. Years ago they USED to be the worst thing but now it's no worse than a filling, from what I hear. You'll be fine :)