Any dentists to offer advice? Can’t go numb!

[Ariel101]

Wondering if anyone can offer advice as I am in complete panic mode!
I was recently recommended to have a root canal before a crown was placed on my heavily filled tooth. After attempting two root canals my root is being very stubborn and will not go numb. One side of the tooth is fine whilst the other is not. When the dentist drills down my head jolts due to a sharp pain on one side.
I was recommended to either come back for a third attempt, consider a tooth extraction or pay private for a root canal with sedation.
Ive opted for tooth extraction under sedation as it’s going to cost a considerable amount of money for a root canal which I guess is not guaranteed to last. Although I would prefer to save the tooth.
What’s distressing me is will I be ‘numb enough’ for an extraction under sedation!? One dentist at the practice said I was numb enough to remove the tooth there and there and but on the second root canal attempt a different dentist told me I wouldn’t be numb enough and sedation will help. From what I understand, sedation just relaxes you. Can anyone offer advice as I’m driving myself around the twist and extraction is scheduled for next week! Really feel sick over this! I’ve never been scared of the dentists but this is majorly stressing me out! The dentist doing the extraction said it’s not as difficult to numb the tooth for extraction as unlike a root canal they aren’t delving inside it

I had a very similar situation, feeling pain with a root canal, it failing as a result and needing an extraction.

I was very nervous too (understatement) and put the extraction off for as long as I could. I was considering sedation but it flared up and needed to come out quickly. It was fine. Unpleasant, but fine. The dentist did very thorough checks to see if I was numb enough for the extraction and was very generous with the anaesthetic!

I think as you say, it's different as they're not delving inside the tooth, only wiggling it out.

You'll be just fine, better out than in!

Thanks @Rovinonmars, this has been going on for months now and I just want it out the way. Ironically I am not in pain with the tooth but it’s crumbling away so I must get it sorted. Never had sedation before but given how nervous I am I think it will help. I am taking the kids away for the weekend and didn’t want to ruin our time stressing about this stubborn tooth!!
Did you feel ok after the extraction (never had a tooth out!)

I was nervous too. I was offered sedation but was too scared to even book the appointment. The extraction itself was fine, no pain at all. It hurt for a few days after and I had to take a few days off work (I have a very talk heavy role!) But it was manageable with regular painkillers and very soft food.

The thought is always worse than the reality. You will be just fine and it will be over before you know it.

I had a problem tooth that had been filled multiple times and 4 different dentists could never numb it properly.
The most recent time it flared up I visited a new Private dentist who specialised in sedation as I thought I would have to take that route. He said he recommended extraction so I explained that nobody had been able to numb it properly before. He reckoned he could so we agreed he would try and only if he managed it would he take out the tooth.
He did and he did, completely painlessly
When he was doing the injections he did the usual ones but then came round the other side and leant across me to do a further one from a completely different angle. No idea what he did but he sorted out 15 years of pain in 10 minutes- I still go there and I love him!

Could you ask for diazepam to take before appointment? I had a problem going numb because I was so anxious that I was producing too much adrenaline which was stopping me going numb.

I now always ask for it before treatment and have had no problems going numb since. My old dentist used to prescribe 1x 5mg to take the night before and another 5 mg before appointment. My current dentist will only prescribe tablet for the day but it does the job. It’s also only the price of prescription so a much cheaper option.

@Ineedamakeover they are actually doing sedation for ‘free’, same cost either way as I was referred to an nhs sedation dentists through my own dentists. They said I don’t have to have the sedation (but maybe it’s for the best incase I’m stopping myself from going numb). It’s strange though as one side of the tooth was completely numb, it was the aggravated side that had the issue which I think they call a ‘hot’ tooth. I’m dreading it but just want it out the way with now!

@Hoppinggreen three dentists have tried to numb my tooth for the root canal but each time it hasn’t been successful. Amazing you have found a dentist who has been able to numb you up. I’ve never been scared of dentists, go regularly every six months but knowing the injections haven’t worked has certainly put doubt into me and made me super nervous. Fillings have never been an issue before.

Ive had exactly the same during root canal and now would always opt to have the tooth extracted rather than go through that again! Funnily enough both times ive had an epidural its only worked on one side as well 🤷‍♀️

Hey @gettingoldisshit did you go numb totally fine for the extraction?

Yes I went to hospital and had a maxo facial doctor remove the tooth and i didn't even know it had been removed until she said it was already out!