Root canal treatment

[AvoidingRealHumans]

I had a dental check up today and mentioned that I had a slight niggling feeling in one of my teeth but it wasn't painful or anything just that I could feel it. After having an x-ray she said I had an infection and a root canal is the best course of action, once done we could discuss getting a crown or something.

I've not had a root canal before so wondered if anyone had any experience and could put my mind at rest as I'm very nervous. All I can find online are horror stories.
I'm booked in for 2 weeks time, she has prescribed me antibiotics to take in the meantime, hopefully it doesn't become painful while I'm waiting to go back.
Thanks for any replies

Been there. Was utterly terrified. Tried to fix the niggling tooth with a filling, but it still niggled so root canal was the next option.

My dentist is a total sweetheart. Used loads of anaesthetic - yes the injection are uncomfortable but his method is to go "wiggle your toes! wiggle your toes!" so you concentrate on wiggling your toes just for those few moment when he's doing that.

The treatment session is quite long, so I'd recommend taking somebody with you if you can, or being picked up after the appointment so that when you come out you can have a little hug for doing so well.

I had mine done all in one appointment because the dentist had one of those 3D printing machines which makes the crown right there and then.

So in my experience, a heck of a day but the result was good and I've had no trouble with it since.

And by the way - I went on my own so had nobody to hug or drive me home but I'm glad I did it.

To mis-quote Pam Ayres - look after your teeth!

I agree, @AmandaHoldensLips - I've had root canal work a couple of times, and was very apprehensive before the first one. The worst thing about it was the length of time it takes - keeping your mouth open for so long is tedious. But absolutely no pain, and my second experience was exactly the same.

Definitely take a couple of paracetamol a couple of hours before the appointment then have a bottle of wine ready to drink through a straw when you get home.

And definitely eat something before! Because afterward your mouth will be numb as boris johnson's heart.

Thanks for your replies, they've made me feel better about it.
Unfortunately I don't have anyone to be with me after, it is at 1.30 and booked in for an hour so I will pick my children up after - thankful for mask wearing rules so no one will notice the numbness, and go home and relax.

😆 at "numb like Boris Johnsons heart".

I've had a couple and they were fine. I've gone to work straight after so you should be fine to collect the children

You do see a lot of horror stories online! I remember when my mum had her first RC (thankfully I haven't needed one yet) and she was so, so scared because all she'd heard in the past was oh NO, not root canal! That's the worst thing you could ever need at a dentist!

So she was literally shaking when she went in. When she came out she was crying and I went to hug her and said oh my god was it horrible? And she said no, it didn't hurt at all, why does everyone act like it's torture .. she was crying from relief!

So don't listen what people say. I think it was a very different experience a few decades ago which is what people are referring to, but now, there's no need to feel any pain at all - and if you do, just ask for some more anaesthetic :).

I had one early this year and it's really not as bad as you think

Sorry for barging in, but is this NHS or private work?

Thanks for all the reassurance.
Arkadia, this is NHS work.

Are you in UK? As I'm surprised you're "allowed" root canal. Thought there was no drilling allowed or has it changed again!!

Grey shadow, I am in England. I know some dentists aren't seeing people yet but I'm unsure of the rules regarding this.
My children and I have all had our regular check ups recently while my friend in the next town can't see her dentist as they are only seeing private patients so it definitely varies dependent on the area.

Madness eh??? I'm desperate for a filling but can't get one!! Nobody seems to know what's going on!!!!
My friend is dentist in socks and and they def wouldn't being root canal. Just an extraction!!

Anyway good luck with your root canal. I had one done on a back tooth, wish I hadn't bothered. Second time I needed it on a back tooth, just had it taken out. :)

Hahahah dentist in socks!!!! Scotland!!!

A friend reported that at her dental surgery, any drilling appointments are made either before the dentists' lunch break or at the very end of the day so that the appropriate deep clean can be done afterwards.

I have had a root canal after a big infection and it was absolutely fine. I was also terrified beforehand, but it was mostly just boring.

My dentist (private) is now 100% back to normal and has been since they were allowed to re open in June. I had a filling last week. They are allowed to do anything as long as they have appropriate PPE. I think the reason a lot of dentists are not doing it is because they cannot afford the PPE for every procedure. As my dentist is private they simply charged me extra.

once you've had the anaesthetic you will be fine but it does seem to take quite a while and its not like you can even read a book.

I had a root canal with no anaesthetic as I really hate the numbing in my mouth.

It was slightly painful but only for short bursts so if you are happy with injections you will be fine.