Root Canal

[Emmaaa1990]

So I just had my very first root canal. I cannot believe how painful that was! My tooth is right down to the nerve the sensitivity was unbelievable! Now my cheek feels puffy and the pain is lovely. I don't even think childbirth was this bad!, I've even had wisdom teeth out awake and that wasn't as bad. I'm scared to go back for the next part now, can anyone share their root canal experiences with me please?

I’ve just been to the dentist this morning so I’m feeling solidarity with you! I had two fillings but it was pretty painless.

I really like the dentist I’m with now and have no issues. I did change from one though where they tried to extract a tooth that broke as they did it so it needed 3 extractions, took an hour and the dentist pulling for all his worth, I cried a lot throughout and it was hideous. It might have been a similar experience somewhere else but I couldn’t face that dentist place again!

So my two pennies are - change dentist if you feel like it’s necessary, but also well done. It was horrible and the extra kick is paying for the horrible pain but you’ve done the first part and are sorting before the problem could get worse. What else have you got to have done?

I’ve had 2 root canals done with a specialist (endologist?). Whilst it wasn’t the most pleasant experience I wasn’t in pain following the procedures. The specialist does these day in day out and whilst it wasn’t cheap to do privately, I think it’s worth it to dispel any pain. Definitely think it’s a dentist issue. Hi

I found the pain I was in before the root canal was worse than actually having the root removed and filled etc.
As horrible as it was it was a relief to know it was being sorted out!

I've heard it only saves the tooth for about 10 years though so I'm already dreading when it falls and I have a gap

I've heard it only saves the tooth for about 10 years though

Not true.

OP - your dentist was at fault if you experienced pain during RCT.

My adult DS had root canal treatment, after the first appointment he could barely talk or eat as he was in so much pain. The pain lasted about a week. However after his second appointment he had barely any pain at all.Hopefully it may be like that for you.

Oh it's awful isn't it! I never minded the dentist before! I'm 30 and only had first filling 2 years ago but when I was pregnant lost part of it then it's ended up needing this done! I have to go back for the second part of the root canal 3rd feb. Currently sitting here with it throbbing I've taken some ibuprofen so hopefully it settles down soon!

I'm not sure if it was more painful because the tooth is so close to the bone now or if it was the dentist to be honest! Oh god hate the pain from a tooth it's on a different level isn't it, hopefully a few days or max a week and I will be better. Got to then work myself up for the next appointment which I'm hoping as PP said isn't as bad 🤞🏼 teeth who would have them!

Thankyou for sharing your experiences 😊

My husband had his first root canal a month ago. He said there was a bit of pain at one point while the procedure was carried out but otherwise it was painless. After it was completed there was no pain, both the first and second part.

Commiserations, OP

I've not had one, but I did have terrible dry socket pain some years ago after having an extraction. The only thing that helped was oil of cloves (dabbed liberally into the socket with a cotton wool bud). My dentist later said it was probably very effective because part of the nerve had remained. I recommend getting some in as soon as possible. I think all chemists should have it x

I've had one and it was almost painless.
Tender and bruised after but much preferable to the pain I was in before the surgery.

Are you sure you haven't got some infection in there too?
I had excruciating pain right after one and a course of antibiotics made a huge difference before stage 2.
I also had to go to an endodontist for a root canal on the adjoining tooth as it was so complicated (and expensive!). That was lengthy and very invasive but didn't hurt at all to my surprise. Just ached a bit afterwards for a few hours.

I'd get straight back to your dentist and be insistent that you're in too much pain.

Your dentist was doing it wrong. A properly done root canal is painless after the anaesthetic injections, and properly done injections are nearly painless. I've had half a dozen root canals.

Your dentist probably failed to numb you up properly. Some people need the anaesthetic in a different place, or need more of it, or even need a stronger formula. And a lot of dentists don't know about these aspects.

I've had pain afterwards similar to the toothache before, but it goes away in a day or to. If you're in pain for longer, the dentist may have missed a root.

Thanks for your responses! He said no
Infection no, but the X-ray showed how close it was so not sure if that was why. But I have never felt pain like it, the way I would describe it was the most sensitive pain ever. Like he put something down there a few times (not sure what as I had my eyes closed) and it was sharp
And awful. You all have me thinking tho that maybe he didn't do it properly and maybe I wasn't numbed properly! I was literally thinking what is the point of being numbed if I ended up feeling most of the pain. I was happy to leave but I am now scared what the next one will be like. They couldn't book it with the dentist that done it today so it's a new one and this for me is actually a new dentist since I moved so I have no previous experience with them.

I think I will speak to the next dentist tho and express my worries etc. It's eased off with tablets and the numbness has gone now.

@SpudsandGravy ohhh yes I got that after my wisdom teeth awful isn't it! I will go and source some for sure!

You really should not have experienced pain like that during the procedure and I think it reflects very poorly on your dentist if they didn't notice your discomfort.
Next time, do tell the dentist beforehand that your pain was poorly managed last time and you don't want to experience that again - and, be a bit braver and pipe up during treatment if you're uncomfortable, they're not mind readers and you shouldn't be afraid to point out that you can feel what's happening.
What a horrible experience for you

@Beamur he definitely noticed as I was like making noises and flapping 🙈 he did stop a few times and I believe gave me more anaesthetic as I had several injections but this did nothing for the horrible pain as he dug down. I don't think he was impressed I kept moving and jumping but helloooo I am in pain that is why 🙈 I think when I do go back you are right I am literally going to explain everything to this other dentist because I am now so scared to go back and face it again. I've never been worried about the dentist but after today I am 😓

You poor thing, that's really bad.
My dentist has had to adjust my anathesia during a root canal but was patient and gentle and didn't carry on until it was pain free.
I'm not surprised you feel nervous going back. I would refuse to be seen by that dentist again.

@Beamur ah your dentist sounds lovely! Yeah definitely not counting down the days til the 3rd 🙈 Thankyou I will let them know at my next one hopefully this next dentist is better!

I've had two, one quite recently. Uncomfortable but in no way painful, and almost instant relief from the pain I was experiencing before.

Sounds like your dentist is a fault here. Did you tell them at any point you were in pain so they could give you more anasthetic?

Sorry x post OP. Tell him to stop and give you more anesthetic next time.

OP

I had to find a new dentist after similar experiences to yours, but it was worth it. Root canal is still not my favourite pastime, but it gives such a relief after the pain.

Good luck!

@JorisBonson he did give me more it seems as he could hear and see I was in pain but not sure it was in the right places or enough as PP has mentioned. But seems as though it shouldn't have been painful so I thank everyone for letting me know. He obviously is at fault here, I hope he hasn't done more damage than repair! Let's hope the next dentist and the next bit is less traumatic. Thankyou @YoutubeZoom I think I might do!!

@Emmaaa1990 never be afraid to ask the dentist to stop or for more pain relief. They're not mindreaders and can't make you comfortable unless you ask them

Definitely, they asked me if I could feel anything? TBH I wasn't sure so said yes I could and got another shot of lidocaine. My face was extremely numb. After the route cancel was done I had swelling on and off for about 6months but after that its all fine!

Yeah he did that and I couldn't so thought all was fine then as he was going down the nerve it was a sharp sensitive pain to which he noticed my pain and seemed to inject again. I don't know why I couldn't feel the outer areas he was touching but deep down I could feel it as if I had no numbing stuff.

And that is why I had my tooth removed....

The fact it is a two part procedure, I was like no way!
I was in incredible pain and just wanted an immediate solution- which also just happened to be several hundred pound cheaper also !

Hope second part goes well, I have no advice or reassure to give....

Yeahh I think that may have been easier!! Luckily I am on maternity leave so I have my maternity certificate so the cost isn't a worry currently, just the pain!

Thankyou @Bubbles1st