Information

[anazelia]

Anyone here ever had a root canal? I am having one tomorrow and I am wondering what to expect. Will it hurt? How long will it hurt? etc. Any advice for me?

[Kimandasmo]

soory to hear that..never had one..so I am no help. But I hope it is pain free and you feel nothing:)

[cort]

Anyone here ever had a root canal? I am having one tomorrow and I am wondering what to expect. Will it hurt? How long will it hurt? etc. Any thaadvice for me?

I have had a root canal & I also work in a dental office.

Root canals take a little time but aren't always the experience that some people will tell you about. I was actually in more pain prior to mine then after.

Most of the time they will numb you for the procedure (there are rare cases where someone doesn't need it). Most post procedure discomfort is equivalent to a bruise, a little tender because of the work done on it. If you can take ibuprofen that tends to be better for dental pain.

Hope that helps, if you have anymore questions let me know..i can try and help...each office does the procedure a little differently but the results are the same.

Ps...don't get all stressed out over it...most people have themselves so keyed up prior that they are shaking like leaves only to find out that it's not that bad.

[kcatt79]

My son had one at age 8. I payed for the gas for him, but he really didnt feel much pain. I dont know if this is the norm though. I did have to give him a dose of Tylenol after, but that was only once, and he was fine then. His was for a tooth that had been knocked out that was adult and then put back in. I am not sure if this makes a differance.

[LyndaKay]

I had one about 10 years ago - no pain, just bored because it took so long.

[Queen Mum]

I had more pain before the root canal than during.

The most pain from it was from having my mouth open for so long for them to work way in the back.

Take some advil before you go.

[scraptag]

It shouldn't hurt, just be uncomfortable. I always hate the part where they make your mouth all dry with the air. But you will be fine. If it does hurt, you should definitely tell them, cause you shouldn't feel anything sharp, just dull movements.

[javalove]

I had one eight days ago, and didn't feel a thing during the procedure. Unfortunately, because it was a molar, the dentist had to drill three canals so I was in pain when the anesthesia wore off, and it lasted about 5 days. I felt like I'd been hit in the side of the face and it had bruised - not a big deal but enough to cause discomfort. The great thing, though, was that the extreme sensitivity was instantly gone. I can actually eat/drink hot and cold foods/beverages again. I go back early next week for a permanent filling and to have a mold made for a cap.

[anazelia]

Thanks everyone. I am not too worried about it. I am asking more for planning purpose. My husband and I have date night planned tomorrow. So I was curious as to whether I would really feel up to it or what we should be doing. IE not going to dinner just a movie etc.

So this helps. Sounds like I should have something to take when I get home and not to worry.

[sarahwhithers]

I had a root canal back when I was about 11/12. To this day I can't stand the numbing needle, but only because he had to do it so many times. And I was a child, so of course it was going to hurt. There was little pain during the procedure. Just a headache afterwards and some tenderness on the cheek from all the poking and proding. But after about a day, it was all good.

Oh, and not sure if they've went over the choices of a cap for it, but go with the one that is white in color. This option was too expensive back when I was a kid so I have a gold cap. It's fine to have and casues no issues, but you can see it in almost every picture I smile in as a dark spot in my teeth. haha!

[MOM2SNOX]

Had mine done last year in the spring... hated it. And that's all I'm saying about that... :P

[Ayla]

I was the same ... my jaw was sore from holding my mouth open, but generally just like a bruise. Wing it..maybe you just order something a little softer as opposed to a steak. And this is from someone who gets worked up about the dentist!

[meteechtap]

Just reading the title made me shiver! lol I had one about a year ago, the worst part for me was the shots!!! I almost came out of the chair. After that all was pretty much tolerant. The foam they use to make a mold is a little gaggy, put all in all things were fine. It will be okay, just inconvienent. Good Luck!

[Nikki_E]

Good luck!

[MimaScraps/Lori]

Yep, I've had one; the worst part for me was paying the bill! Ouch! Prayers will be with you...

[cort]

Def. get the crown...it will save the tooth. (removing the nerve from a tooth essentially dehydrates it..they can get brittle over time, and bite something hard someday and you can split it so that it can't be fixed.)

My crown is gold...but it's on a molar that no one sees except the dentist. But there are other options available as well.

I am from the rare group..i would rather have a dental shot then a shot in the arm...yeah i'm a little crazy.

[SarahA]

I've had like 3 and to me they aren't any worse than getting a cavity filled. But, I'm weird and actually like the dentist. Getting fillings and all that stuff doesn't bother me at all.

[bellaconsmom]

Dh just had one done 2 days ago. He went to see a dentist because one of his back tooth partly broke off. He ended up having a root canal done. He said he was just annoyed having his mouth open for 3 hours so that they can work on it. He said it's like having a cavity drilled out just longer. His gums were sore, and now just tender when he bites down. He'll get the crown later. Good luck!

[sandradee]

I had two done at the same time, took about an hour, after the numbsness wore off it was no different than a regular filling. It just takes a longer than a filling.

[GeriNY]

I have had 2 and I had about the same experience as everyone else has said, my jaw was sore from keeping it opened for so long, but nothing Advil didn't take care of. I would take a couple of Advil before you go. My dentist was very good and even the novacaine shots barely hurt. Good luck.