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Original poster

How bad is a root canal really?

50 replies

DentalWorries · 16/08/2021 12:07

I’ve got one this week. Never ever had any dental work before and I keep hearing horror stories. How bad will it actually be? I’ve got a really strong gag reflex and I’ve been reading about the dam they put in your mouth and that worries me.

I’m not in any pain at the moment. Just need a filling and when the dentist started doing it he decided it was too close to the nerve so cleaned it all out and just put a temporary one in until I get the root canal. He’s referred me to a specialist who only does root canals and has glowing reviews all over his website but I’m still nervous.

We also fly on holiday the next morning so slightly concerned about that but it was the only available appointment for ages.

Any positive stories?

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 16/08/2021 13:01

I was expecting something awful but it was just like having a filling but a bit longer.
I'm wondering if they used to be more awful and things have moved on?

reachedtheendofmytether · 16/08/2021 13:14

I've had tonnes, the first one was pretty nerve wracking but they're pretty easy (although probably not so much for the dentist!). For me the injection has always been the worst bit but I'm pretty needle phobic at the best of times.

If you're really nervous it might be worth asking if you can wear headphones and listen to your own music. I've done that a couple of times and found it relaxing.

I fell asleep during my last one 😀

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 16/08/2021 13:16

Its completely painless, you have loads of anaesthetic, however I had a dental dam for the first time in 60 years recently and it was worse than the bloody root canal, I felt like I was being water boarded.
I have no fear of dentists at all and even I panicked as I felt I was being suffocated.
You can say no to the dental dam, they've been doing them without for years.

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Dental health General health

LazyViper · 16/08/2021 13:16

It’s fine OP. I had to have one redone due to a weird shape root cavity and she had to go really deep (apparently) and it was no problem. Same as a filling, only it takes a bit longer. Didn’t hurt, during or after. You’ll be glad you got it done.

Ilovechocolatetoomuch · 16/08/2021 13:20

I’ve had two and I had to go back 3x for one of mine because I was pregnant at the time. No pain at all it just takes a little while that’s all. I’ve also had a broken tooth pulled out and a wisdom tooth out and I would take the root canal any day.
Shut your eyes and think of something else, it will be done before you know it :)

MaMelon · 16/08/2021 13:24

I've never had one but saw this thread and really feel for you as someone who also has a fear of the dentist. If it helps you can ask your dentist to prescribe diazepam (that gets me through my appointments) and I listened to this guided meditation the night before, in the waiting room and then in the chair through my headphones - it really, really helped. I even got a "well done, you did really well there" from my dentist

I hope it all goes well for you

MinnieMountain · 16/08/2021 13:28

It’s mainly boring.
I listened to the radio during mine.

CruCru · 16/08/2021 13:29

One thing that may help is listening to some fast music with a loud beat (I think I listened to “101 running songs” during mine). It shouldn’t hurt but it takes a while and I find the sound of dentists’ instruments stressful.

CityGirlintheCountry · 16/08/2021 14:22

I've had a root canal under local and (different occasion) all 4 wisdom teeth out under GA. Definitely prefer the root canal. Dental procedures aren't fun in general, but as PPs have said, you get lovely drugs to numb you up. First day post op is a pain (literally), but it eases off within 24 - 48 hours. Any half way decent dental specialist should be able to do a good job of it. Good luck!

Hen2018 · 16/08/2021 14:46

My son had to have the nerve removed from a tooth mid lockdown, so no drilling allowed... he had snapped his teeth off (road accident) and the end of the nerve was hanging out!

With no drilling permitted, it had to be poked and scraped out with some horrific pointy tools.

It wasn’t much fun to watch (he had concussion so I was in there with him) but he said it was pain free, just “weird”.

Yours will not be like that. It’ll be calm, organised and with all the usual tools in use!

ClippettyClop · 16/08/2021 15:26

It will be absolutely fine. The only thing I would say is to consider whether you want a crown on top of a root canal. They are expensive and may be fragile, so depending on the position and your age there may be better options.

newnortherner111 · 16/08/2021 16:50

I had one and it was fine. Mind you, I trust my current dentist's work 100% even though I could never socialise with him for more than about one minute (I hope it's work mode as if he's like that at home I'd leave in a heartbeat, he'd drive me up the wall).

ladygindiva · 16/08/2021 16:53

I've had it, I'm an absolute dentist phobe, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

wendz86 · 16/08/2021 17:09

I went to a specialist and was worried as had heard horror stories but was honestly fine. Worst part is keeping mouth open so long.

Candyapple49 · 16/08/2021 17:57

I heard horror stories and worked myself up and then it was honestly fine , just like a filling . I was aware that there was a lot of poking as my root was apparently long and twisting, but I didn’t feel pain . It was mildly sore when the anaesthetic wore off , but fine with a paracetamol.

MumofSpud · 16/08/2021 18:01

I have had root canal twice - once I fell asleep

unidentifed · 16/08/2021 18:01

I've had two. One was horrible but only because the root was inflamed and when that happens there's nothing they can do. However, the pain was momentary, not throughout the procedure. I also took something to calm myself prior per the dentists recommendation.

FatAnkles · 16/08/2021 18:04

DHs experience not good. Dentist botched it and gecended up with TGN. But he's in the minority.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 16/08/2021 19:00

From your perspective its just a really long filling. They don't all use the dam. I've had 3 and only one dentist used the rubber dam.

Maverick66 · 16/08/2021 19:04

It's fine the only uncomfortable thing is the length of time it takes .

LarryUnderwood · 16/08/2021 19:06

I've had 2, on the NHS both times so no fancy private treatment. Both were absolutely fine. It's just like having a filling except it takes a bit longer.

LolaSmiles · 16/08/2021 19:08

I have the dentist and had no problems with a root canal.
The way everyone spoke about them before made me really nervous going in, but it was absolutely fine.

FriedasCarLoad · 18/08/2021 00:17

I fell asleep during mine.

XenoBitch · 18/08/2021 00:38

If you need a root canal, the nerve in your tooth is already dead.
I had one.. no pain at all but my jaw ached from keeping it open for so long.

Kingfisher1952 · 23/10/2024 03:00

A root canal treatment must be done to very professional standards as I n a rubber dam and two endontal treatments otherwise it will fail causing serious problems as in necrotizing fasitis flesh and bone eating worm's leading to very serious health problems if your root canals treatments have caused you pain get a lawyer this has been covered up for well 70years

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