what hurts worse, root canal or wisdom teeth removal?

Answer 1

I'm probably not the best one to answer this question. I've had 3 root canals done, all without local anesthesia. Of course, any cavities I've had done are also done without any kind of medication. I have really strong teeth so I just feel the pressure of the drill. I've been lucky the dentist has never hit a nerve.

When I was younger I had 2 wisdom teeth removed and swore the other 2 could rot in my mouth before they came out. They were impacted, abcessed, and the roots of the wisdom tooth were wrapped around the roots of the tooth next to it. Even though the dentist x-rayed the tooth, this problem didn't show up until he started the extraction. I had a local (injected several times over the course of the removal) and nitrous oxide. Eventually the dentist had to use a drill to cut off the roots at the gum line just to get the tooth out. On both wisdom teeth I had dry sockets--not something you want! About 10 yrs. after this I did have to have one more wisdom tooth removed, but I went to an oral surgeon (definitely the way to go!) and was put out so I didn't know what was happening. It went much smoother and the recovery time was faster.

Hope I didn't scare you with this horror tale. If you have to have a root canal, find out how many the dentist has done. For wisdom teeth, definitely go to an oral surgeon. It's worth the money and your insurance should pay for if not all, at least most.

Answer 2

Wisdom Teeth Root

Answer 3

Having the wisdom teeth removed hurts more after wards but is tolerable. Especially since you usually get some painmeds. The root canal treatment only hurts as much as your tooth already hurts before you get started. It's only the infection that hurts. Not the root canal treatment.

Answer 4

I have had both done and my wisdom teeth hurt worse than the root canal. I never had any pain after I had the root canal done.

Answer 5

I've never had a root canal, but I have had 2 wisdom teeth removed. The first one hurt like heck even after it was pulled. I got dry socket with that one. The second one wan't too bad. It was sensitive, but it healed quickly. You don't really need your wisdom teeth, and if you get a root canal, it will go bad later anyway. I'd have it yanked.

Answer 6

I had all my wisdom teeth out at once....I had six of them, for real. I was awake for it, but the IV of valium and the headphones with music blasting made it fine.
When I had the root canal, the only thing that really hurt was the shots. Other than that it wasn't too bad....was just anxious to get it over with. It was a bottom molar. I don't know how it would be with a top one though. Best of luck to you. Thousands of people have gone through it, so you can too.

Answer 7

For me, definitely the root canal. I went in experiencing minor pain, came out feeling nothing while under anesthetic, then had 4+ days of excruciating pain (apparently from an infection) until antibiotics were able to clear it.

Yet, my wisdom teeth came out in 30 minutes or less, and I was fine in 24 hours!

Answer 8

Wisdom tooth - especially if they are impacted. That took several days before the pain was gone. I took motrin for the root canal and was as good as new about 24 hours later. You can tell by what they prescribe - Darvocet for the wisdom teeth and motrin or tylenol for the root canal.

Answer 9

root canal is nothing. wisdom teeth is worse because the dentist removes them with scary tools, and its bleeding a lot.

Answer 10

Wisdom teeth removal