I hate the dentist - I play hockey, rugby and football so I don't mind getting smacked, punch or kicked but for some reason I get anxiety even thinking about going to the dentist. That drill sends shivers down my spine!
Now I need a root canal then crown - people I tell always go "ohhh, better you then me!"
Is it really as bad as it sounds and as painful as everyone says it is?
2007-01-11 09:28:51 · 12 answers · asked by efil_4_msdb 2 in Health ➔ Dental
I've had more than one root canal (ahhhh) but it's really not as bad as people say it is. First of all the dentist will numb the area around the tooth that is being operated on. (Make sure you communicate with your dentist and if you feel any pain, ask them to numb it up some more). The process takes about an hour or so, but you don't feel anything. It's just a bit uncomfortable to have people sticking their hands in your mouth for so long, but it doesn't hurt.
After the canal is done, they will probably give you a temporary crown, and in about 2 weeks give you the permanent crown. Getting the crown on/off does not hurt either. Also, after your root canal and after the novacaine wears off, your tooth does NOT hurt (because the root canal takes out the nerve, so you can't feel any pain anyway!). All you will feel is perhaps a bit of soreness in the gums, but it goes away after a few hours. Also, you can ask your dentist for some Vicodin or advil with codine if you really want to avoid any pain at all.
Good luck, and don't be afraid. It's pretty simple and easy.
2007-01-11 09:34:09 · answer #1 · answered by Sabby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your dentist. I had one recently with very little discomfort. My dentist numbed the affected area but more importantly for me he talked me through the whole process, explained what he was going to do and when it might cause a bit of pain. So I never felt out of the loop and always knew when to anticipate any discomfort. You might ask your dentist to do the same for you. I think this used to be quite a painful procedure in the past, and you know how once legends get started they take a long time to change, so go figure. Hope it goes well!
2007-01-11 09:45:32 · answer #2 · answered by a.lady.in.the.street 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They shoot you full of Novocaine, so it really doesn't hurt...discomfort is about as bad as it gets. The thing that got to me is it took so long--- Several appointments, between the root canal stuff and fitting the crown etc. And my jaw got really cramped because of staying open so long. Be sure to take some lip balm--- you have to 'open wide' so long your lips feel stretched.
Shop around for a good dentist, if your insurance allows you any choice, and maybe one who has a creative approach to pain management.
When I lived in CA I had a dentist who routinely gave me "laughing gas"---nitrous oxide, I think it is. It doesn't totally knock you out--- just makes everything VERY smooth! He also had headphones for his patients, with different channels so you could listen to whatever music you wanted without hearing the drill. (this was pre-ipods--- so you could probably just use your own) In addition, he had a lovely Egyptian 'mandala' kind of thing painted on the ceiling above the chair, so you could look at something pretty instead of your dentist.
I actually looked forward to my visits to him!
2007-01-11 09:42:27 · answer #3 · answered by Rani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a good dentist it is nothing to worry about. I have had 4 root canals and it was nothing. Don't listen to what some people say because they might say a splinter being pulled out was "soooo painful." I would bet when you have it done, you are going to think, "what the heck were all those people talking about that though it was so horrible?"
2007-01-11 09:55:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just had one on Tuesday...the actual procedure doesn't really hurt because you are numbed...the first day it was ok but now it is Thursday and I am having a lot of pain to be honest. The dentist gave me Vicodin ES which helps, but you can also take Advil along with the Vicodin and that helps the swelling or inflammation that might cause discomfort. I just hope this pain wears off by next week...
2007-01-11 09:43:25 · answer #5 · answered by icequeen406 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't hurt when they do it cuz you're numbed. And it doesn't hurt later because now there's no nerve in there. The worst part is that it takes a long time. I thought it would never end...
After reading some of the other replies, I feel like I must've had a good oral surgeon. Maybe that's the key.
2007-01-11 09:37:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Deeehtooough I was real afraid after all that my friends had told me. I asked the dentist to numb me out as numb can be and did not feel a thing.
2007-01-11 09:41:16 · answer #7 · answered by Beau B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you get the nitrous oxide and the novacaine- you will feel nothing . Your jaw and lips may hurt though, it is a ong process. Bring something to apply to your lips during the root canal.
2007-01-11 14:26:02 · answer #8 · answered by shane k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had two root canals neither one of them worked, and I ended up with an abscess. make sure your dentist has the Cred's
2007-01-11 09:35:35 · answer #9 · answered by tj.bray_stephens 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had a couple. It isn't so bad... talk to your dentist and get knocked out if it really bugs you.
2007-01-11 09:31:35 · answer #10 · answered by juneaulady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋