Any dentists about?

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I’m terrified of the dentist after averybad experience years ago, but I do go for my check ups every six months.

I have a tooth that was filled when I was a teenager, the tooth got chipped beside the filling several years ago, but as it didn’t bother me, the dentist left it and just checks it every time.

It’s started hurting when I eat, like a sensitive tooth type pain. What will the dentist do? I’m terrified he’ll say I need a root canal.

I am not a dentist, but I've had so much dental work that my dentist named his Mercedes after me.

Your dentist will try to determine what is causing the tooth to be sensitive to pressure. The first step after tapping on it will likely be an X ray image. That will show if there's an infection in or around the roots. It could also be cracked. If cracked, the tooth has to come out. If infected in the roots, you'll either need root canal or the tooth will have to come out.

Root canal done with local anesthetic is really not that bad. Are you worried mostly about the pain or the expense?

Thanks for answering. It’s the pain I’m worried about, I’d honestly pay whatever it took to avoid a root canal.

Not having a root canal when one is needed is can be fatal through blood poisoning and even worse things.

Just go get it checked out. Now. The earlier you do, the less likely you'll need serious work done!

Hi OP, just go and get if checked out first, that's the most important thing. Remember that the Dentist is human, not a monster who wants to hurt you. Pain relief is much more advanced now, there's really no need to fear. If you don't wish to have root canal treatment, you will probably be able to have the tooth extracted.
Make that appointment, you'll feel much better when you do.💐

OP, you cannot self diagnose, you may have some pain, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's anything sinister !
Hear what the Dentist has to say, then decide a way forwards.

Last post, sorry everyone !
Whether you need a filling replacement, a root canal treatment, or an extraction, you won't know any different, as the area will be numb.
You can ask for some surface anaesthetic to be applied to your gum, before your local anaesthetic, if you like.
Ask your Dentist if it's possible for you to have R.A. (Relative Analgesia), a small rubber mask will be placed over your nose only, you will not really care about much, but feel happy !

If it is infected the dentist may want to put you on antibiotics for a few days before doing the root canal. That will knock back the infection and make the tooth less sensitive. They primarily do it to avoid releasing a mass of bacteria when they do perform the root canal.

If the roots are infected they're dead and the tooth itself will no longer feel pain. The local will minimize the discomfort to the surrounding bone and tissue. Afterwards the area will be mildly sore for a day or two, just from having the work done on it.

Root canal is a doodle compared to an extraction.

Good luck OP and do get it sorted as soon as possible.