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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask for some positive root canal stories.

74 replies

ToomuchtimeonNetflix · 18/03/2019 15:12

Hi I have been lurking around Mumsnet for a while , though not been brave enough to post. However I have had today off of work and haven't been able to enjoy it as I keep thinking about my pending root canal surgery. I know that in the grand scheme of things it is nothing compared to other things that are happening in the world but I am such a wuss and worry about everything.

My kids and work colleagues when hearing I am off to the dentist next week have told me about all of the bad stories they have heard , there must be some positive stories out there.
is it that painful? and if you have experienced a root canal have you gone back to work the next day?

please be kind
thanks

OP posts:
WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 18/03/2019 15:16

yes, it is painful though mainly that is to do with having your mouth wide open and being sort of pulled around, so you feel bruised and battered more than anything else, and the noise isn't great.

I was freelance when I got mine done so I probably did work but that's in my spare room in my PJs if necessary!

On the bright side - it wasn't as bad as when I had a tooth extracted a few months earlier...

fluffiphlox · 18/03/2019 15:16

I have had root canal work. It is uncomfortable rather than painful. This is because the dentist is working in your mouth. They use anaesthetic you know 😀. And of course you can go to work the same day.

Lovelylugs · 18/03/2019 15:16

My daughter had one done recently and was perfectly fine. It didn't hurt and has had no trouble since. The dentist did have a sensor they used to make sure the tools were on the correct place while don't the root canal. I think that made a difference so there was not trauma to the gum.

MissConductUS · 18/03/2019 15:17

I've lost count of how many I've had - at least five.

They are not terribly painful as the nerve in the tooth is already dead, but they should numb the area with Novocaine. If they don't offer it, ask for it. There will be some swelling and mild discomfort after the procedure, but nothing that would keep you from work the next day. Two ibuprofen and you should be fine.

A root canal isn't a patch on an extraction. Those are bad.

Good luck. Flowers

MereDintofPandiculation · 18/03/2019 15:18

It's not painful. It's boring more than anything.

Your dentist will make absolutely sure it's not painful - you need your patient to be still, not twitching around. Always remember this. It's not in the dentist's interest for you to be in pain, the job will be much easier for them if you're comfortable.

You'll have an injection first. That's the only bit that has the capacity to be hurt a bit. Count slowly to 30 - it will be over before you've finished. Then just lie back and listen to music.

The drills they use are absolutely sweet - see if you can have a look at one afterwards, they're tiny, like dolls house tools.

enoughisenough2 · 18/03/2019 15:19

It’s nothing to worry about. You will have local anaesthetic (if your tooth is vital/still alive)so you don’t have to feel anything, if you’re in pain, just let your dentist know don’t ever suffer in silence. You might need 2 or 3 visits depending on time, resources and how complicated it is. Better than having a tooth extraction. All the best x

Original poster
ToomuchtimeonNetflix · 18/03/2019 15:20

thank you these sound positive
and liking the thought of going back to work afterwards

perhaps I am just hearing the bad stories which is why I am happy reading these positive ones :-)

OP posts:
Ribbonsonabox · 18/03/2019 15:22

I fell asleep during mine! Found it weirdly relaxing. Did not feel a thing save for a slight sting when she injected my gum. Hardest bit was not closing my mouth to swallow all the time... but I got used to that after a bit.
That was the first ever bit of dentistry I'd had. Not been to the dentist since I was 15... then went a few months back and I needed a root canal... so I was petrified! But it was actually completely fine... and as I said weirdly relaxing!
And my teeth have been completely pain free since.

MereDintofPandiculation · 18/03/2019 15:22

MissConductUS has a point about the nerve being dead, in which case you won't need an injection.

Agree a signal if you want them to stop - my dentists have always asked me to raise a hand. I've never needed to. But it's good to know you can stop whenever you want.

Kamma89 · 18/03/2019 15:25

I had to have a root canal a few years back and dreaded it due to all the horror stories. Don't know what all the fuss was about! Didn't hurt at all during, bit sore after & the drilling is loud.

Wisdom tooth removal on the other hand...

Good luck OP, but don't think you'll need it

2rachtint · 18/03/2019 15:26

I hate the dentist and get so nervous but I've had three lots of root canal and no pain at all. I don't like the feeling of any dental work but not pain and no pain after either.

MotherWol · 18/03/2019 15:27

The only painful part of it is the injection of anaesthetic - once that's kicked in it's more uncomfortable than painful as PPs have said. Mine took a few extra goes with the anaesthetic because the roots were longer than the dentist had anticipated, but it wasn't really much worse than a normal filling. I've had no trouble with it since then, and the crown (gold) has held up very well.

amymel2016 · 18/03/2019 15:29

I’ve had 3, all totally fine, just like having a filling but takes a little longer. I had no pain with mine and went straight back to work. You’ll be fine OP Smile

Bugsymalonemumof2 · 18/03/2019 15:29

I have literally had one done over the past few weeks. The worst bit is the injections. Otherwise it is uncomfortable keeping your mouth suitabley open but i havent felt any pain.

Letsnotargue · 18/03/2019 15:29

To echo the other posters, my root canal was far less painful than having the crown fitted over it later (as my dentist was very heavy handed).

I have a complex root on a tooth that should be simple so I had to be referred to a private dentist. Apart from the painkiller injection it was completely pain free and I went to work that afternoon. I had to have two sessions and they were both fine. No after effects either.

Good luck.

BlueSkiesLies · 18/03/2019 15:31

I have had 2 root canals in recent years and they have both been positive storeis.

Zero pain during the procedure. Not even that uncomfortable as they use a dam so you don';t get crap going in your mouth. Great result. Get an onlay if you can.

My dentist is so gentle not even the injections hurt. They do a numbing gel. Then a shallow injection. Then go in for the deep injections.

Also you can ask for a low dose valium at mine if you want.

BlueSkiesLies · 18/03/2019 15:32

I didn't go back to work afterwards, but if I had HAD to go I would have probably been OK to.

Original poster
ToomuchtimeonNetflix · 18/03/2019 15:32

Thanks so much everyone , that's amazing you fell asleep ribbons

I think some of my worries stem from having an extraction before a brace when I was 15 that was horrendous but was in the 80's.

I am feeling so much better reading your posts Smile

OP posts:
MyKingdomForBrie · 18/03/2019 15:34

I had one a couple of weeks ago, I'd agreed with the pp who said the worst bit is it takes a while! No pain at all, during or after.

Feelsdeadpeople · 18/03/2019 15:37

For me it was just a long filling. Less painful though. You’ll be totally fine - but don’t tell your colleagues how it was fine if you want lots of sympathy Smile

recrudescence · 18/03/2019 15:45

I’ve had three and didn’t find them painful. Agree with others, having your mouth open for an extended period is a bit uncomfortable on the jaw. There seems to be a bit of weird thinking about root canal treatment - people use it as a sort of shorthand for something really awful. Personally, I find my hygienist visits much more unpleasant.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 18/03/2019 15:48

I had one last year. It was sore, but no more so than a normal filling. The worst bit was having to keep my mouth open for ages. I had jaw ache!

I went straight to work and was fine.

Piffle11 · 18/03/2019 15:52

I've had two and they were absolutely no problem. The worst bit was having my mouth open for so long! As another poster said, you can feel the sensation of having the dentist working in your mouth, but you can't feel anything.

IndigoSpritz · 18/03/2019 15:53

I had a root canal job done just over two years ago. Your face aches from having an ppen gob for ages but that really is the worst of it. Just raise your hand if you need a break or to go to the lav - just like school !

IndigoSpritz · 18/03/2019 15:54

open gob...

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