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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To stay off the rest of the afternoon after root canal treatment?

40 replies

HelpIcantfindaname · 24/04/2021 12:44

I have root canal treatment next week, never had it before so not too sure what to expect.

My appointment is at 12.20. They said it would be long, but didn't specify how long.

I'm a teacher, & wondering if it would be OK to stay off the whole afternoon. (I don't have my own class at mo so cover isn't an issue). I'm thinking anaesthetic would probably still be working so I wouldn't be in pain at school. But would I be uncomfortable & have a massively swollen face?

My school are really good if you need to be off, but I have just returned after wfh for over 3 months.

Luckily my 2nd root canal app is at half term.

WIBU to stay off all pm if I feel I need to?
Does anyone have experience of root canal please?

I'm not keen on going to the dentist, so I'm a bit anxious.

OP posts:

ConnieCaterpillar70 · 24/04/2021 16:12

I had one and it took two 90 minute sessions to complete. I felt utterly exhausted after the 1st one and had a banging headache from the anaesthetic and having my jaw wedged open for so long. It wasn't remotely painful to reassure you but quite uncomfortable due to it being a back upper tooth. I came home and went straight to bed.

2nd session was a doddle in comparison and I'd have gone to work gladly after that.

Horridcreature · 24/04/2021 16:15

I’ve no idea as never had the treatment. Just wanted to say I presume there was a reason you were wfh rather than at the school, so I don’t think that is relevant.

Clarich007 · 24/04/2021 16:20

I had a root canal treatment on my front tooth a couple of years ago.It was a dodfle didn't feel a thing and it wasn't even sore afterwards, so I could have gone straight back to work.We're all different though.I went privately and it cost me nearly £700 !!

Clarich007 · 24/04/2021 16:20

Doddle

Ohnomoreno · 24/04/2021 16:22

I've had several. I was tired, but nothing a cup of tea didn't fix. Unless you're a surgeon and need to be in top form, I wouldn't waste annual leave.

Standrewsschool · 24/04/2021 16:23

I had root canal treatment in January. I felt tired afterwards and I did have an aching jaw. I would advise to take time off.

blackwych · 24/04/2021 16:26

I would not want to go straight back to teaching after a root canal. I had two done recently - both on days off. Both took at least an hour and I am also nervous at the dentist so that was an hour of gripping the chair arms and fighting the fight or flight response. I was exhausted afterwards. If your appointment is at 12.20, will you be able to have any lunch? There was no pain for me once the numbing stuff wore off but I found that it took hours for it to go away and I couldn't talk properly and had difficulty eating until I'd gone back to normal.

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 24/04/2021 16:44

I’ve had a lot of fillings and a root canal and sailed through them all but recently I had a filling repaired and it didn’t go well. I needed a lot of anaesthetic for some reason (I’m usually fine with the normal amount) and my blood pressure bottomed out, they had to give me a special sugary tablet as I nearly wiggled myself off the chair such was I shaking. I was more numb than I’d ever been in my life and really bit my tongue hard talking to my partner when he picked me up. My face was really swollen on the one side and I bruised badly.

My point is you just never know how you’ll react to these things, best to give yourself some leeway. I’d have bounded back to my job after all of my appointments bar this last one. I was numb for hours after.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 24/04/2021 16:58

@Ohnomoreno

I've had several. I was tired, but nothing a cup of tea didn't fix. Unless you're a surgeon and need to be in top form, I wouldn't waste annual leave.

Why on earth would it be annual leave?

If she's off work recovering from dental surgery then it should go down as sick leave.

Crinolinelady · 24/04/2021 17:17

I went straight back to work after mine, but if you have to talk to a class you might have difficulty until the anaesthetic wears off. As you're a teacher, I'd advise you to take the rest of the day off.

boomboom1234 · 04/05/2021 22:15

Sorry has anyone had one recently? I am due to have one Friday and I can't breath through my nose I have to breath through my mouth so I am concerned that I would have to have the rubber thing across my mouth. Any advice?

Pottedpalm · 04/05/2021 22:54

I don’t think you should go back to school. I had a banging headache and sore jaw. It will be late afternoon and school can cope. Go home and be kind to yourself so you are recovered for the next day. The last thing you need is the classroom!

UCOinanOCG · 04/05/2021 23:01

@boomboom1234

I finished mine today. I had the rubber hammock thing but I was still able to breathe through my mouth. It doesn't seal your mouth.

Dee1975 · 04/05/2021 23:05

I’ve had three. You don’t need the afternoon off. But you will be numb for a few hours. But no pain.

MyOtherProfile · 04/05/2021 23:10

It must be very different from person to person. I've had one - took two hour long appointments with a week between. I had such a headache and couldn't speak afterwards for a few hours so there's no way I could have gone back to teaching straight after. I felt wrung out.

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