DS having root canal this morning. I’m freaking out.

[TheKnackeredChef]

DS(9) fell over last week and broke one of his front teeth. Our dentist was unable to repair it as it broke too far up and the nerve was exposed, so he’s got to go today to have a root canal and rebuild under sedation.

I’ve explained it all to him and he seems fairly OK with the idea, but inside I’m having a total panic because I’ve got a severe phobia of dentists and I don’t know how I’m going to cope if I’m in the room with him and they’re doing all this drilling and stuff on my baby. I’m actually terrified.

Has anyone experienced this and can tell me what will happen? Will he be asleep? How awful is it? How long will it take? Will they do it all in one session or will we have to keep going back?

I’m so scared and so embarrassed that my nine year old is fine with this and I’m a bloody wreck. We have to leave in just over an hour and all I want to do is throw up.

I've had two root canals. Honestly they are fine. In fact I dosed off during the first one I had.

My DS (10) has had this for exactly three same reason. They were incredibly gentle with him, we had more visits than you would for an adult one but he was fine.

We were at King's in London they are great

Maybe have a quiet word with the reception staff when you get there and explain how you are feeling, I am sure they will be helpful and give you the option of being in the room or not. I hope it goes well

Sedation can mean varying things - inhalation sedation (gas and air), oral sedation, IV sedation... he may be awake but relaxed, or completely unaware.

I completely understand (terrified of dentists). I had some work done as a kid with gas and air and was off in a dream state - you could most likely leave the room as he’s unlikely to be aware. They could come and get you if he’s distressed.

Can you take some headphones and listen to music to distract you?

OK, thank you all for the reassurance. I’m feeling a little bit more calm now. I’ll slip a note to the receptionist to say that I’m phobic.

So they won’t do it all in one go today then?

My DD has this nearly 10 years ago. To be honest i was so concerned for DD's welfare that i didn't even notice the work being done. I just held onto her hand. She had the treatment over 10 days, probably more complicated than most root canals because she had a infection in the broken tooth.

My 13 year old had this done last week after breaking his tooth 5 weeks ago in a cycling accident.
He was totally unbothered by the whole thing tbh, and they completed the process inc a resin tooth in 30 mins which I was very impressed by