Talk to me about root canals..

I'm going in this week for my first one, and I'm a nervous wreck! Apparently I have a huge infection and have been on antibiotics for a week, but I don't think it cleared up the infection.

I think this is the result of a botched filling last September, so I'm just ready for this ordeal to be over with but am afraid of the possibility of needing an extraction and implant if they can't save the tooth.

I'm also going away out of the country in 3 weeks and would love for this to be solved this week so I don't have to worry about being in pain/on meds while I'm away. (if the root canal can be done..I know implants take months)

Any BTDT stories would be helpful, TIA

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

I was in a similar situation to you. I had 2 root canals done on the same day, started with a serious infection. I couldn't talk for half the day and I was in a bit of pain for a few days but it wasn't bad and I had no complications.

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

Root canals aren't fun, but you'll be fine! Are you getting a crown? Just be prepared to go back two weeks later for the permanent.

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

I already have a crown on the tooth, so they're going to try and just drill through the crown and I'd go back to my dentist to fill the crown.

Talk to me about root canals..

I had one that went fine and a second (same tooth) due to an infection that was rough. Just be sure that if you have ongoing pain or swelling to call and get back in right away. The procedure itself is fine, just take some motrin before the novacain wears off

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

Unfortunately I have a lot of experience with root canals. They aren't pleasant but it's not that bad. You shouldn't feel pain during the procedure. There may be some pressure during it. Afterwards I had no issues. Make sure you finish out all of your antibiotics. Good luck!

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

The whole procedure is not done in a day.
They will clean out the tooth thats there, then clean out the root canal, remove the root and put a temp in. You will have a mold made and they send out the mold to have the permanent tooth made.
I have had 5 root canals. They are NOT a walk in the park. But you should feel good in a couple days. You will not have pain once the swelling goes down. Make sure you take all your meds if you have an infection.
Also the temp tooth will last while you're on your trip. I have waited up to 6 weeks to have the permanent put in.

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

mine started after the dentist filled a deep cavity. a few weeks later i had pain. I thought i had broke the filling b/c the pain shot up while I was eating crackers.

I went to an endodontist and it took under 2 hrs from start to finish.

Novacaine only and by the time it wore off I didnt have any pain. I mean the pain before hand leading up to it was insane so really anything would have been an improvement. I was a little swollen in the face the next day, but felt sooo much better once it was done.

I didnt need a crown. my dentist did the post and put the filling on a few weeks later. Make sure you get the follow up work done after the temp filling goes on.

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

They are not as bad as they get a rap for

The pain from a infected tooth is way worse

They can. Be done in one or two(usually) visits. Depends how many roots the tooth has

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

The bad tooth hurts so much more. I felt nothing during the root canal itself. Absolutely nothing. I had minor pain for a few hours after, but by that night I felt such relief. No pain after that. I had it done in April and still have not had the crown done. My dentist wants to wait until I have my baby in the fall. So don't worry about your trip. You'll be fine. Good luck!

Talk to me about root canals..

I had a root canal done and that was ended up being the painless part! The post/crown on the other hand... Not a walk in the park.

Message edited 8/2/2016 12:31:06 AM.

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

I was in so much pain from my tooth, that the root canal was heaven on earth in comparison! Once that nerve was cut, I was pain-free for the first time in weeks. The worst part of the procedure for me was keeping my mouth open for so long. Honestly, I've minded cavity work more than my root canal.

Talk to me about root canals..

Thanks everyone! Luckily I haven't been in pain, I only went to get it looked at because of the swelling and abscess.

I went today for my appointment and it's still too swollen to work on, I'm guessing the oral antibiotics I was on weren't effective. The tooth was cleaned out and packed with antibiotics, and I go back in two weeks to see if the root canal can be performed.

I leave for vacation three days after, so I'm still crossing my fingers that it is taken care of before then.

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

Re: Talk to me about root canals..

I had one years ago after being in the worst pain of my life for a few days while on a road trip. My front tooth felt like it was going to explode and I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. My dentist refused to give me Novocaine during the procedure and everyone else that I've asked was given a numbing agent, so I'm not sure what that was about. I will say that since I was in so much pain, the drilling was actually a relief.

The strange part was that my dentist couldn't ever figure out why I needed the root canal. I had no cavity or damage to the tooth. I didn't need a crown, just the posts. I had discomfort from the posts for a while but it eventually went away.