Complex root canal next week and im terrified. If im going privately, what can they give me?

[OnAMatOopEre]

Molar with three roots, and have been referred to an endodontist (i think)

I am absolutely terrified and want to know what they can offer me drug wise that I wouldn't get at my NHS dentist?

I need something - i feel sick and tearful and my heart is racing every time I think of it. Am so scared theyre just going to give me the standard anaesthetic- its not going to be enough to get me through a 2+ hour appointment

I wasn't given anything extra OP, but was numbed to the hilt and it was just boring. That seemed like standard procedure.

You can pay for sedation but it needs to be arranged in advance an you will need someone to pick you up.

I had similar and like @MinnieMountaindidn’t have anything additional to very strong numbing. I was really anxious but tbh it was no worse than a filling, it just took longer. The worst bit for me was I had an ulcer near the tooth and that was agony after!

You’ll be given enough anaesthetic. It will take what seems a long time but most likely you’ll just find it tedious. It’s honestly not something to work yourself into such a state over.

Tell them you are very anxious. My dentist was amazing once they knew I was scared. Took it very slow and gave me enough anaesthetic to put out a horse.

As pp I have had complex root canal at the endodontist and they made sure I was thoroughly numb but it wore off really quickly once they were done. Mine were 2 hour appointments so it was just boring but they gave me a break in the middle to move about a bit.
It wasn't fun, but it was fine.

I've had several root canals and they really aren't bad at all, and I say that as someone who is very nervous about the dentist. I had a complex one with a crown that took four appointments and I had no pain at all. You get lots of local and then it's just boring, laying there with your mouth open for an hour. I had no pain when the local wore off either.

Fellow anxious patient.

I was given temazapam which was amazing. But you need someone to take you home and then stay with you.

Conious sedation is even better but more expensive and needs more advance notice. Again, you will need a carer

For me the thing I worried about was the length of time holding my mouth open. He put a wedge like thing in between my jaw to do it for me. As PP...then it was just boring.

Oh that's making me feel a bit better- thank you everyone.

I mean ive been through a difficult labour, gallstones and subsequent gallbladder removal and a pilonidal sinus (dont look that up! 🤮) as well as other awful health stuff, but the dentist just hits on another level.

Am going to do my best to hoik up my big girl pants but if there's something on offer ro take the edge off, im bloody having it!

Fellow anxious patient - I literally went to my endodontist today!!! The heat was distracting from the fear. In all honesty it was absolutely fine! My gag reflex is really sensitive. But he had a method of putting a needle in my chin that actually worked!! He also gave me anaesthetic in my jaw but also the palet, which really helped too. I was DREADING it but it was actually fine,
the fear makes us feel bad, but the work needs doing and it’s better than losing a tooth
good luck and think of nixe
things … I was thinking of Johnny Depp lol …. Don’t tell my DH 😋

You need to call them and ask them, not all surgeries have sedation. And if they do you'll have to book it and pay for it. I think was definitely worth it, though I've never had one without so can't compare. But you're awake through it, but just in a happy little doze. I remember I could hear the people all chattering away about tv shows etc, but was really 'aware'. But you definitely will need a lift home.

But I had a back tooth extraction with just needles which was a big job too, and I was terrified. But it really was fine. I'd probably still go for sedation if available as I'm a scaredy-cat, but I know I'd cope if it wasn't.

Forgot to ask are you having a first appointment where they assess what’s going on with CT / x rays? I had an abscess under a crown that was draining out of my gum … lovely! Though at least I didn’t have the abscess pain! Mine was opened up, cleaned multiple times, he was very thorough, and resealed. Just have a look online at their reviews that really helped me as my endodontist had really good reviews.

All of you who have had it done, would op be allowed ear buds to listen to podcast or something to while away the time?

We have an amazing private dentist that does complicated stuff . My daughter who is 30 is petrified of dentists needed urgent work so I paid for her to go to mine . She nearly passed out , the dentist gave her some glucose tablets first for the shock , and said for her to wear her headphones that she wore on her way to the clinic , she was in the chair just over an hour but the kindness of the dentist and knowing what she needed made a whole lot of difference . I also sat in there with her . The music really helped and drowned out a lot of the sounds as they were noise cancelling headphones. Might be an option for you?

Ooooo me again! I had literally no pain at all today, even the injections didn’t hurt - it’s an awful thought but when you get to the other side you realise it’s actually ok

A very large invoice

Yep, I had root canal recently and had my headphones in the whole time, just kept the volume quite low so I could still hear the dentist when she spoke to me.

@OnAMatOopEre are you able to identify what you are most scared about ? Is it pain during the procedure or after , the injection, having to sit still for so long, not knowing what is happening etc ?

If you able to explain more here, people will be able to help you. And if you are able to tell us, that will be good practise for telling the dentist.

Have you been referred privately or to an NHS endodontist at a dental hospital? If it’s the second one you usually don’t have to pay.

It’s good that you are seeing a specialist, as they love this type of work , they will be more experienced , much quicker and will get down to the end of your three roots ( which is what they need to do to make your treatment a success ). They might have fancier scanners as well, which make the job easier.

You have my sympathy. I have gum disease and my teeth are now mobile and loose yet I still can’t have them deep cleaned so I’m going to lose them.
The dentist tried referring me for sedation but it was rejected. I’d have to find another dentist and pay £450+ for sedation alone. I haven’t got it so my teeth will fall out I’m devastated.
They won’t even give me gas and air as it’s “for kids”

It’s not the pain for me it’s just so invasive and the drills and other electrical instruments I just can’t bear it.
You would think they’d have something in place for phobic people wouldn’t you? GP’s at one time would prescribe Valium but they don’t now.

I hope you get something sorted, but I would start saving if you can afford it because sedation is a thing of the past now unless you pay.

Oh no this is fine! I’ve had several of these done including once when there was a massive abscess to drain. The worst bit is having the local anesthetic injections and even that’s just a bit pokey. Once they’re done it’s plain sailing. Waaaay easier than those other experiences you list! In fact you just get to lie there being fixed for a while.

I had some pain after a standard root canal, so I saw my GP and they prescribed a couple of things - codeine and a nerve relaxant - which did the trick! During the root canal, I was under loads of anaesthetic and could feel pressure, but no pain.

Put Your earbuds in and listen to something I’m a nervous Nellie too, the pain doesn’t worry me injections are no bother, and Ive even been told I’ve got a high pain threshold following surgery in the past , but I hate all the water they swoosh into your mouth sets off my gag so I listen to podcasts and that really helps, good luck.

Everyone talks about how dreadful root canal work is. I was dreading it. Numbed to the hilt and didn't feel a thing. No different from a filling. Others on here seem to have had the same positive experience.

I had to have a root canal in a molar that had three roots - I was so scared I had to apologise in advance to my dentist for crying with fear. He was so lovely and gentle and gave me lignocaine and articaine anaesthetic and waited all the time needed for it to fully kick in.
I cannot tell you the relief. It was fine - uncomfty but genuinely not painful. The worst thing was having to hold my mouth open for a long time.
You have been through some horrid procedures OP! I think your root canal will surprise you with how ok it is. Just tell them how scared you are and they will take extra care of you, I’m sure of it. Wishing you all the best. 💐