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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:
MulberryPeony · 18/03/2019 15:55

I’ve had a couple and no pain or problems. Back to work straight after so long as you’ve stopped drooling Grin.

speakout · 18/03/2019 15:56

I would echo what others are saying- I had root canal work done a year ago. No pain whatsoever, the only discomfort was the jaw ache having to keep my mouth open for such a long time.

AnnaMagnani · 18/03/2019 15:59

I had root canal and I had an extraction - I'd have the root canal again any time.

Main issue was it took a long time and as others have said, your jaw aches and if you close it a bit, you suddenly discover you have a mouth full of gubbins.

But it did not hurt.

MikeUniformMike · 18/03/2019 15:59

Had several. Nothing to fear. Pretty much what MissConductUS and others posted.
If you are having it because you had an abcess, it won't hurt anything like an abcess. An abcess is awful.

NannyR · 18/03/2019 16:00

I've had several and they've all been fine, no pain during or afterwards, and I find going to the dentist quite anxious and stressful. The bad bit is the injection, but that's no worse than for a normal filling. It's quite boring - some music or an audio book is a good idea and keeping your mouth open for a long time is a bit uncomfortable, but honestly, other than that its fine!

Original poster
ToomuchtimeonNetflix · 18/03/2019 16:12

Thanks again everyone it appears the worst part is keeping your mouth open for a long period of time.

I do feel less anxious now, phew

OP posts:
ErickBroch · 18/03/2019 16:18

I go private due to fear, I get prescribed valium which helps. I have had two in the last year, i get a shit load of injections as many as they will give me, and then yeah no pain at all! Totally fine.

Squirrelblanket · 18/03/2019 16:29

I've had two. They were both no trouble at all and like people have said it was uncomfortable but not painful at all.

FriarTuck · 18/03/2019 16:33

I was petrified and it was a piece of piss. Like PPs have said, your jaw aches from having your mouth open for ages and it's boring as hell (ipod perhaps?) but the worst part was the bill at the end.
Oh and the heart racing like mad from the numbing stuff - they didn't warn me about that until afterwards so it did make me Shock a bit.
I don't know why people complain about root canals - I always thought one would be a nightmare and its so not.

Crinklesmile · 18/03/2019 16:33

Took my sunglasses, and stuck my ipod on, 45 mins later I felt rested and calm. Mouth a bit achey from being open but it was not bad at all.

FriarTuck · 18/03/2019 16:34

Maybe ask your dentist in advance if you can stop and close your mouth every time you raise your hand so you can rest it?

twosecs · 18/03/2019 16:36

I didn't even have a local with mine as the nerve was dead, and it was the easiest thing I've ever had done!

OllyBJolly · 18/03/2019 16:46

Didn't find it painful at all. I did find it uncomfortable - holding your jaw open for that length of time is tough going. My dentist plays music -think I had Fleetwood Mac the second time. First time I was polite and said he can choose and he opted for Leonard Cohen....

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 18/03/2019 16:49

I've always gone back to work the day after. It's uncomfortable and it can ache for a few days (depending on the angle, how long they've got your mouth open etc.), but really nothing to worry about. I say this as someone who used to be terrified of the dentist!

AlunWynsKnee · 18/03/2019 16:51

I was certainly able to drive home afterwards and like others it wasn't painful, just achy from having my mouth held open for so long.

LookingforHope · 18/03/2019 17:05

Tell your dentist you are nervous and they should take care to reassure you. I had this done years ago and it was fine, the worst bit was the injection to numb my mouth (and the jaw ache from holding my mouth so wide open but as someone else said you can wave at the dentist if you really get cramp and need to rest for a second). People are full of scare stories but it's the 21st Century and anaesthetics are brilliant Wink. Best wishes for a speedy recovery

SgtFredColon · 18/03/2019 17:10

I am a big scaredy-cat and I found it fine. Was on my front tooth and went to work afterwards no pain during. My gum was a bit swollen and sore that evening (had to eat mashed potatoes for dinner) but okay by the next day.

NancyPickford · 18/03/2019 17:14

I had one and it was a bit uncomfortable but certainly not painful. You just feel him rummaging around.

Divgirl2 · 18/03/2019 17:22

My root canal was one of my best ever trips to the dentist - I'd been in so much pain with toothache and the second he injected me it all vanished and didn't come back.

I didn't get face ache from sitting with my mouth open, and there was an interesting story on the radio about a man who gave CPR to a tortoise. Hardest part was not laughing!

You'll be fine, if it's any more than an inconvenience maybe look for a new dentist.

Original poster
ToomuchtimeonNetflix · 18/03/2019 21:39

Thanks to everyone who has responded it means a lot x

OP posts:
gingerbiscuits · 18/03/2019 21:56

I've had a particularly nasty one done (large tooth, deep root infection, raging toothache) & it was fine - jaw ached from being open so wide & for so long & the needles from the anaesthetic stung a bit, but other than that, no big deal - the relief from the toothache I was having was actually bliss!

After 2yrs & much back & forth, including a couple of infections, the tooth eventually collapsed before it could be crowned & was beyond saving, requiring extraction - now that wasn't particularly pleasant!! Although, again, it was my jaw & face that hurt the most, along with the needles.

Good luck - if you've got a decent dentist, it should be fine.

mirime · 18/03/2019 22:02

I've had two, not that bad really. Uncomfortable, tiring keeping my mouth open so long, but nothing that meant I couldn't go to work the next day.

Worst bit was the painkilling injections, they stung a bit.

Autumnchill · 18/03/2019 22:05

@gingerbiscuits that sounds just like mine! Mine cracked the other weekend and half fell out. Luckily she thinks she can rebuild it so had 3 posts put in and back for a crown fitting tomorrow. Was not looking forward to an extraction but the bill of £539 is eye watering 😩

EnlightenmentwasaPassingPhase · 18/03/2019 22:09

Root canals got a bad name because years ago they had to be done over several visits - now the job's done in one.

CakeByTheSea · 18/03/2019 22:13

I fell asleep during my root canal too. Even though the tooth is dead, there can be a residual bit of nerve, so ask to be numbed. If the tooth has been infected, it might be a bit smelly when they clean the canal out, but apart from that it’s just the effort of keeping your mouth open and a bit of tooth prep noise. Hope all goes well

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