root canal?

Question

has anyone ever had a root canal? what kind of recovery is there for this kind of dental work?

Answer 1

I work for an endodontist so all we do is root canals. For the most part ,root canals are no different then getting a filling. We do occasionally get a patient who waited untill the last minute and the tooth blows up on them.This means that the decay has gone into the nerve and the dentist needs to numb them right in the nerve of the tooth. The tooth is so inflamed by this point a patient is very hard to numb.Once they get past that,the dentist can then work on the patient comfortably,but I wont lie,it's not fun.For the most part,most people are fine.

The dentist uses small instruments to clean and shape the canals.It's kind of like removing the wick from a candle.After the nerve tissue is removed he will then fill the tooth with a rubber like material called gutta percha. He will then place a tempory filling into the tooth and then it is up to you to go back to your general dentist for a permanent filling or crown.

For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive,especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure.

I have had three root canals done myself. Each time I took advil before the novacaine wore off. I never had to take any more after that.

Good luck,I hope you have a pleasant experience like most of our patients do.

Answer 2

A root canal is when the live root of your tooth is removed. This is usually done when you have an abscess and you want to keep the tooth. Teeth are important to keep. You will have a local anesthetic to dull the pain and then the dentist will go in and drill and clean out your root, after which they usually put a cap on your tooth. The recovery is not long. The first day they usually give you some pain pills to dull the initial ache. By the third day it should only be somewhat irritating as far as pain goes. The longest time is a week and by then you're eating normally for days. Any infection, like on your teeth, anywhere near your head is very dangerous and should be taken care of ASAP. Not to scare you but people have died of these infections if they let them go. You will probably get some antibiotic before they take care of the tooth. I was married to a dentist and had worked with him enough to know how things go with teeth. Have faith in your dentist, he does not want to hurt you. Always let him or her know if you are uncomfortable, just raising your hand will alert them to your discomfort if you have any. Best of luck to you.

Answer 3

I've had 2 root canals and one of them was retreated a few months ago which means that there was still some sensitivity it happens every once in a while not a biggy. There isn't really a recovery period I had my last root canal and retreat while at work and went right to work when it was done..I'm a dental assistant. Don't worry it'ss not that big of a deal you'll feel much better when it's taken care of.

Answer 4

I had a root canal a couple years ago. If you have a good dentist who knows what he/she is doing, then you should not feel a thing. Don't listen to horrors stories from others! It really is not bad at all.

Answer 5

I did it before when I got veneers for all 6 front teeth. I of course got my gums injected so the entire things didn't hurt. This was 5 years ago so if I remember it took 30 min or so for all 6 teeth. It might have hurt a lot if it wasn't for that injection

Answer 6

I had one a long time ago. I don't recall any kind of complications -- I was using it to eat with the same day (front bottom incisor). I haven't had any problems with it for decades.

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Answer 7

had it done twice. first time an abcess had formed and i was prescribed antibiotics. the dental work was a very welcome relief.

second time felt no different to an ordinary filling. no after effects once the anaesthetic had worn off at all.

get the work done please, as if an abcess forms, it's a tad painful and more difficult to treat.

good luck:-)

Answer 8

yes people have had root canals, i believe