I have to have a root canal on Thursday. It's after work, so no problem there. Is the pain intense enough the day after the procedure that I will need to take a day off of work? I'm a teacher, so it's hard to call off. Its better to know these things in advance. Thanks in advance for your help!
2007-02-06 12:13:52 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
Root canals are usually not all that painful when they are completed, because they are actually de-pulping the tooth and thus removing the nerves for irritiation. You may have some localized soreness and jaw pain depending on where the tooth is located and how long you have to hold your mouth open. Any pain can be handled with an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen (motrin). But if you want to take advantage of it for "mental health" reasons, by all means, take the next day off and cry mouth pain. Rent a DVD and relax at home.
2007-02-06 12:23:38 · answer #1 · answered by phantomlimb7 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a dental assistant and I have had a couple of rootcanals myself. Both teeth had old fillings in them that were leaking around them, and since I am a major sugar junkie, the decay was deep enough that I elected to just have my boss go ahead and do rootcanals on them, rather than do onlays and then possibly in a few weeks start hurting and need to have one then, possibly ruining the onlay. Not only did I not take the day off, but I cleaned my assisted on myself and cleaned my own room and instruments. Yes, I did have some pain on one of them, and luckely I had the option of having my boss numb that area up so that I could work comfortably. However, obviously you don't have the same thing available to you. Rootcanals are all different and affect everyone differently. I don't think it is necessary to take the following day off, as I have numerous patients go back to work even the same day, and have no problems at all.
Go into work, and if you have pain during the day, request to go home earlyl. No point in missing the entire day, if you might not have any major pain.
2007-02-06 21:45:08 · answer #2 · answered by LittleMermaid 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Glad to hear the last few comments that say "no". I work for an endodontist, each person has their own experience. Usually, ibuprofen covers the discomfort. Sometimes, you'll need something stronger. If you can take the next day off without too much trouble, why not...but you might be pleasantly suprised. MANY times people say, "it's nothing like the horror stories I heard!". No doubt, some people still have bad experiences...you need to make sure someone with a good rep does it.
2007-02-06 20:25:15 · answer #3 · answered by momof2 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
unless it is infected or something else I wouldn't think so I have had several and all were fine next day. Just feels a little sore from needles and such but not as pain like you mean. Root canel is where they drill the nerve out.
But by all means take a day off to be sure, no sense pushing the point unless you need to.
2007-02-06 20:23:57 · answer #4 · answered by Dennis G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't speak for everyone, obviously, but my root canal was a LOT less painful than i expected it to be. i've had teeth cleanings hurt worse that that, honestly. the shot hurts, of course, but after that it's pretty much exactly like a regular filling, it just takes a little bit longer. i've had people tell me they had teeth pulled with little or no problem, and my experience with having teeth pulled hurt WAY worse than anything else i've ever had done at the dentist, so you never really know for sure. but i think you'll be fine... : )
cheers,
Shauna!
p.s. btw, if it doesn't go so smoothly for you, i apologize profusely. ; )
2007-02-06 20:27:41 · answer #5 · answered by Shauna Kasey 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a root canal done about a month ago and was glad that I took the next day off. My mouth was killing me! Make sure to stock up on Ibuprofen, a heating pad and ice pack as they will be your best friends for about 3 days.
Good luck!
2007-02-06 20:25:41 · answer #6 · answered by orangeblossoms83 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I guess it depends. You usually need to make a couple of visits to have a root canal complete. First the dentist will remove the pulp and some nerve, give you anti-biotic and then ask you to come back for the filling or possible crown.
I would take off if possible. You'll get some rest and not have to worry about coming back to school to yell as some kids.
2007-02-06 20:19:04 · answer #7 · answered by JohnnyQuest 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
you should have no pain the day after as they will be removing the nerve in the tooth that the root canal is being done on. you will have no more discomfort than if you just had a routine filling done.
2007-02-06 20:19:36 · answer #8 · answered by Gwenn K 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont know if your dentist explained what all he is going to do. This is not as simple as getting novalcain or a filling. Your root of your tooth goes all the way to you jaw bone if on the bottom or feels like its touching your nasal passages if its on top. Its not just a simple little tooth extraction. Long winded arent I? Anyway I would defanantly take some time off afterwards. Mine hurt like sht.
2007-02-06 20:26:15 · answer #9 · answered by deogee 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ive had a few. And in my experience it would not be necessary to take the following day off from work.
2007-02-06 20:19:57 · answer #10 · answered by Smarty Pants™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋