Been told by dentist i need either a root canal or tooth extraction

[BedHeadTigi]

I am totally unsure about what to do, well really i want neither treatments because i have such a fear of this sort of stuff. Even having just a filling i find pretty traumatic, but i know soon im going to need one of these other treatments. Im thinking root canal but what is it like really, has anyone had this done to them, is it as scary as it sounds? Can you ask for a sedative, from the dentist before they start? Im so scared of dental treatments that i feel like crying when i even have a filling, i had a filling yesterday and after one anaesthetic injection i felt a bit of pain so the dentist got another injection ready and i totally refused it and clamped my mouth shut, so i went through having a filling with feeling a bit of pain as i am scared of injections too! Does anyone else get like this at the dentist? Please please please give advice to someone who is extremely scared of going to the dentist!

Oh honey, I know it's not nice. I'd have thought the dentist would try the root canal first as mine tries to save the tooth and extraction is the last resort.

I've had both - twice. The root canal isn't pleasant but you get lots of anaesthetic and it's just like a deep filling. You recover pretty quickly afterwards. I'm sure you can ask for sedation but it won't be covered on the NHS, I wouldn't have thought, plus you might have to go to a dental hospital.

With a tooth extraction, it's a bit more traumatic - and you may well need to think about having an implant to replace the tooth at a later date. I'm still getting used to a bridge that's filling a gap from a tooth extraction but it's loads better than it was, five months on.

Talk to the dentist about your fears. I'm a right scaredy cat and my dentist is very gentle with me and reassures me during the treatment. You do need to get it sorted though - the last thing you want is an infection in your jaw which is so painful.

Be brave and you'll probably find that it's really not as bad as you're fearing.

Good luck.

AlmostAhipster thankyou so much for replying to my thread, i am so so so scared of having a root canal, the dentist just mentions it like its no big deal to have it done, but to me it is a very big thing. Im petrified of needles, and any sort of dental work so its like two big fears i have that i have to get over to have it done. Im gonna give myself a few weeks to get used to the idea then book an appointment, i just wish i wouldn't get so nervous- to the point of almost crying- when im at the dentist, i just absolutely hate it!

Your reply has made me feel a bit better about it already, thankyou :)

I close my eyes and breathe slowly like I'm in labour, trying to find a 'happy place' :)

GiveTheAnarchistACigarette thanks for the reply, its good to know im not the only one that has a fear of going to the dentist. I didn't go to the dentists for about 7 years and i only went again becos of tooth pain just like you. I dont think my dentist i have now is very sympathetic to me about being scared, he's a bit matter of fact type of person, if you know what i mean. The dental nurse that was there wasn't much better either, i felt like they thought i was being silly when i refused the second anaesthetic. I just couldn't take having another injection. Do i chance seeing another dentist in the practice or stick with the one i have who is good at the actual treatment, but is not the sympathetic type. I know what my mum would say, better the devil you know than the devil you dont!
Thanks again both of you for your kind replies it does actually make me feel a bit better about the whole thing! :)

Thanks for that tip, i will definately ask for that before the injection, i didn't even know they could of done that!

if your really nervous, id get the tooth extracted tbh. a root canal can take upto 3 visits, maybe longer depending on the tooth, length of roots, and even then it may fail so you'll end up with an extraction anyway.
an extraction will be over and done with more or less straight away.
if i was a nervous patient id go for the extraction rather than going through the root canal and then ending up with one anyway.

I'd go for the root canal - because otherwise you're left minus a tooth and that's then a whole other load of hassle at the dentist you'll have to cope with. I had my root canal in one session and it was long and horrible (painless though, after the initial injection which you just have to count to ten through), but the radio was on and after a while I just sort of zoned out.

definitely root canal first. I've had two, both single-visit jobbies. dentist gave me acupuncture first to relax me (bit woo i know but it worked for me) and the nurse held my hand throughout.. Get someone to go with you/drive you there as you will likely feel wobbly after. Can you go on local recommendation for a new dentist? Do any advertise as specialising in nervous patients?

OP ,ask to see another dentist at the practice .
Could you ask the receptionist who is best for nervous patients ?

Or go to a different practice altogether ?

The injection doesn't need to hurt , my dentist numbs the area first and I just keep my eyes shut .

I also find concentrating on breathing through my nose rather than mouth helps .

Could you ask your GP to prescribe you a couple of tablets of diazipam for night before and the day ?

And remember the last thing the dentist wants to do is cause pain .

Usually dentists will only extract a tooth as a last resort. I have had root canal treatment several years ago and it wasn't at all traumatic. Have the numbing gel and you won't feel the (tiny) needle. Once your mouth has been anaesthetised you won't feel a thing - honestly.