topic Part Two Of My Root Canal in Community Chat

Part Two Of My Root Canal

Jordan2 — Thu, 31 May 2018 00:33:31 GMT

I had pain in a tooth, well the side of my face swelled up so, I looked like the Elephant Man! My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon, he sent me to an endodontist ( mind you all in the same day after taking my 90 year old mother to the cardiologist and having to take her with me). I ended up getting a root canal, I had a terrible infect, he had to put medicine in the canal, I am going back on Saturday to finish it. I am a good patient, but this procedure was too much for me. I don't like how they use a dam and prop your mouth open, your at the mercy of the assistant to suction you out. I had terrible anxiety, felt like a panic attack. I tried to calm myself down, it was difficult. Aside from being knocked out I was looking for advice on how some of you have gotten through this.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 31 May 2018 00:37:59 GMT

We just do.

I was in tears before my first one. Now I've had many; hopefully no more.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

Lapdog — Thu, 31 May 2018 00:39:52 GMT

Oh I feel so bad for you. Was it an upper back tooth? They have 3 roots and are more difficult.

Hopefully you will not have another after this one. Be sure you get enough antibiotics.

I have had several rootcanals and crowns. I empathise with your suffering. I do not remember the second trip being so bad.

Best wishes.

Can you listen to music while you are there?

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

dex — Thu, 31 May 2018 00:41:03 GMT

@Jordan2i have had so many that I am used to it.If you just relax and know that you will feel no pain it helps.The procedure is long but the end result is worth it...no more pain or chance of heart attack from the infection.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

Jordan2 — Thu, 31 May 2018 00:48:20 GMT

@Lapdog wrote:
Oh I feel so bad for you. Was it an upper back tooth? They have 3 roots and are more difficult.
Hopefully you will not have another after this one. Be sure you get enough antibiotics.
I have had several rootcanals and crowns. I empathise with your suffering. I do not remember the second trip being so bad.
Best wishes.

Can you listen to music while you are there?

@Lapdog, it's a tooth on the left bottom (molar?) the dentist said there are two canals, only one canal is affected. The funny thing is I had a root canal in this tooth before, I was told sometimes it can get infected again. They listen to music, I try to pretend I'm somewhere else! Thanks for the good wishes.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

walker — Thu, 31 May 2018 01:27:51 GMT

Jordan2......I just went through my first and second root canals last week!!! I was also very anxious about it. My dentist sent me to the specialist telling me he knew I needed a root canal. But, he also saw an abscess on another tooth he wanted him to look at......long story short I had two root canals in one appointment!!! UGH! But, I really liked the doctor and I did not feel any pain with procedure. I never knew I had a problem until regular check-up with my dentist. I had two infected teeth (both upper...left and right side) so doctor recommended doing both so he could get me on an antibiotic for both right away. He had me on Advil for three days with the antibiotic....plus probiotic. I also had some swelling on one side with a little bruise too. I have now finished all medications except probiotic. I will see doctor again in a week. I hope and pray the infections are gone otherwise it may mean more oral surgery and implants! I really hate any dental work!

By the way, I just tried to think about anything I could during procedure and kept telling myself to calm down....I would be done soon....I hoped!!! Doctor was also good about talking to me during the procedure so I knew how much longer I had.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

MyShadowLove — Thu, 31 May 2018 01:18:37 GMT

@Jordan2...I've had a few root canals throughout my life and, compared to 20 years ago, the technology and advances in how they are done now are so much better...very impressive!

Not to worry...You got through your first visit, so your second one will be a breeze!

By the way, I was just wondering why he wasn't able to complete your root canal during the one visit?

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

walker — Thu, 31 May 2018 01:23:38 GMT

wildflowers......I can't speak for Jordan2 but my endodontist told me he had to do it in two visits to make sure the infection has cleared up....then the root canal is finished.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

Scooby Doo — Thu, 31 May 2018 01:48:50 GMT

It is uncomfortable, but it's a much easier procedure than it used to be. I'm thankful for that. You might be able to get one anxiety pill from your dentist before the procedure if you ask. I make it a point to let the assistant know when I need to be suctioned. I grunt and point. lol

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

JavaQueen — Thu, 31 May 2018 01:55:07 GMT

To OP and all who have undergone this procedure. So sorry. i know exactly how it is. They are much easier than they used to be!

But the worst pain of all (for many of us!) is the pain in the pocketbook. It's not just the procedure, it's pallative care, temporary crown, permanent crown and post. I had enough crowns placed that I can truly be thought of as royal! LOL.

Speedy recovery to you. May you never have another!

From a veteran of the Dental Wars.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

Jordan2 — Thu, 31 May 2018 02:05:55 GMT

@MyShadowLove wrote:
@Jordan2...I've had a few root canals throughout my life and, compared to 20 years ago, the technology and advances in how they are done now are so much better...very impressive!

Not to worry...You got through your first visit, so your second one will be a breeze!

By the way, I was just wondering why he wasn't able to complete your root canal during the one visit?

@MyShadowLove, as @walker said I think the infection was so bad he needed to put medicine in the canal, I guess that's why I needed two visits.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

lulu1 — Thu, 31 May 2018 02:22:01 GMT

Happy gas will help with your anxiety.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

conlt — Thu, 31 May 2018 02:31:17 GMT

I have had 6 root canals and not a problem with any of them. Of course I adore my endodontist because he does such a great job. When I had my first, I had to fill out a form about my fears. He gave me something to calm me down that first time. After that I never needed anything. I never had a root canal on an infected tooth. I have heard of having to put medication in the canal. My first was because I had an abscess but I had been on antibiotics. All the rest were because my old fillings cracked, my teeth broke. One molar broke right down to the gum. My dentist said I should get the root canal because if he extracted it I could end up with a fistula from my sinus's to the tooth root. So I opted for the root canal. My dentist always told me to have the endodontist do the root canals because that is what they do and they have a great success rate over a regular dentist. My endodontist has given me pain medication post procedure if he thinks I will need it. Namely when we could not get the tooth numb and he gave me extra Novocaine. He said I would hurt a lot from the amount of Novocaine, not the procedure itself. He was right.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

riley1 — Thu, 31 May 2018 11:57:48 GMT

@Jordan2 - Went through that about 1 yr ago. My dentist sent me directly to the endo. that very same day - no oral surgeon. I think I was in his chair about 2 hrs sweating the whole time, lol.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

PamelaSue72 — Thu, 31 May 2018 15:13:07 GMT

Ask your dentist for a prescription for two (and only two) Valium tablets. Take the first tablet the night before your appointment. Take the second tablet about an hour or so before your appointment. (You may need somebody to drive you to and from your appointment, depending on how you act on Valium.)

I'm a total wuss when it comes to dental appointments; I don't even like having my teeth cleaned, but know it's necessary and I go without fail every six months.

But when I needed to have my first root canal, my dentist (knowing how I am during appointments...I cry when getting Novacaine shots) suggested the two Valium tablets. It was just enough to take the edge of my nervousness. And I walked into the exam room, sat in the chair, and said, "Let's get it done!" And that was that.

My MIL offered to take me to my appointment and I gratefully accepted.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

SeaMaiden — Thu, 31 May 2018 15:43:10 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I had pain in a tooth, well the side of my face swelled up so, I looked like the Elephant Man! My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon, he sent me to an endodontist ( mind you all in the same day after taking my 90 year old mother to the cardiologist and having to take her with me). I ended up getting a root canal, I had a terrible infect, he had to put medicine in the canal, I am going back on Saturday to finish it. I am a good patient, but this procedure was too much for me. I don't like how they use a dam and prop your mouth open, your at the mercy of the assistant to suction you out. I had terrible anxiety, felt like a panic attack. I tried to calm myself down, it was difficult. Aside from being knocked out I was looking for advice on how some of you have gotten through this.

@Jordan2 Your experience with all the swelling and infection was a mirror copy of my last Root Canal. I could barely open my mouth enough so he could get to my tooth my jaw was so painful and stiff.

I also have issues with a mouth proped open. I tell them that I prefer not to have the block prop and will just keep my mouth open for them. They really use the block prop to help your jaw not to get tired.... but for me I feel like a lot of anxiety and suffocation/ chocking feelinging...

as for the dam. yes I also feel suffocation and it is the worse part of the whole procedure. I know what you mean. I think perhaps you may want to try taking something natual prior to the work like Kava Kava or valarian Root extact. This is what I do..... Taken an hour before procedure will relax you without drugs that they might offer.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

RainCityWoman — Thu, 31 May 2018 16:12:41 GMT

I had no pain before or after my root canal. However, the whole thing failed 10 years or so later, and the tooth had to be removed. The tooth simply began to disintegrate piece by piece.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

Shelbelle — Thu, 31 May 2018 19:24:16 GMT

@RainCityWoman wrote:
I had no pain before or after my root canal. However, the whole thing failed 10 years or so later, and the tooth had to be removed. The tooth simply began to disintegrate piece by piece.

Same for me, no pain, but it failed 12 years later and tooth was pulled. That was the term my dentist used, said the root canal has failed.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

viva923 — Thu, 31 May 2018 20:54:46 GMT

i have never had a root canal or root infection.

my husband has had several (he has bad teeth). I can just imagine the pain. I know what he went thru.

Re: Part Two Of My Root Canal

ScrapHappy — Thu, 31 May 2018 21:28:36 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I had pain in a tooth, well the side of my face swelled up so, I looked like the Elephant Man! My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon, he sent me to an endodontist ( mind you all in the same day after taking my 90 year old mother to the cardiologist and having to take her with me). I ended up getting a root canal, I had a terrible infect, he had to put medicine in the canal, I am going back on Saturday to finish it. I am a good patient, but this procedure was too much for me. I don't like how they use a dam and prop your mouth open, your at the mercy of the assistant to suction you out. I had terrible anxiety, felt like a panic attack. I tried to calm myself down, it was difficult. Aside from being knocked out I was looking for advice on how some of you have gotten through this.

I had my second root canal this past February. I also had to go to an endodontist. As far as suctioning goes, I told the assitant every time I raise my arm, I need suction. I hate the feel of all that in the back of my throat and have a terrible gag reflex. I told the assistant I need suctioned a lot and frequently. As far as anxiety, if it's that terrible for you maybe the endodontist can prescribe something prior to the procecure? Just make sure yu don't have to drive.