Sooo Root Canals

[Brill Weave]

I'm going in on Monday to have one done. I've never had one before and I'm extremely uncomfortable regarding the dentist in general. I had a panic attack before I was put under to get my wisdom teeth removed. I had a panic attack when I had broken a tooth and the dentist was getting ready to fix it. For some reason I just can't handle the dentist. I don't know why. Back on topic.

On a pain level what should I expect during the procedure?

Any discomfort after the procedure is done?

What kind of time frame am I looking at in the chair?

[Lost]

This might sound odd but are you a red head? I guess there was a study done that showed a certain gene had a link to having a fear of the dentist and like 90% of red heads have this gene.

[Hyan]

Well, it sounds extremely painful.

[Osede]

It depends on how bad is your tooth. Mine I took like almost 2hrs to finish the root canal. Actually, it was not so pain thought, except my credit card just cry badly.

[Mansin]

I had a root canal a few years ago and it didn't hurt at all. Actually, when they were done with the procedure (about 1 hour and 15 minutes), I had to ask them if that was it because it didn't hurt at all.

If you really have that bad of Dentist Anxiety, talk to your dentist and see what they can do. You might be able to get some twilight zone medication to put you out while they work.

[Brill Weave]

Thanks Mansin. I already checked to see if they would put me under for this and explained why. Unfortunately they do not offer that service at my dentist.

[Toxictaru]

Any dentist who isn't retarded should have no issue numbing you up. I've had 3 root canals done, and none of them has caused me any pain. The most recent one only hurt my wallet, but the actual procedure was entirely painless. The ONLY problem you might have is keeping your mouth open for that long, but I've been experiencing a lot of dentists using bite blocks, which allow you to keep your mouth open but jaw relaxed, which helps a lot (though I can't stand them so I don't use them). Root canals aren't worth worrying about, I find that the sense of relief I get from the pain because I've been numbed helps me more than anything.

[Karshe]

You'll be fine, the anxiety will be worse than the actual procedure. A quick novocaine poke will be the worst part, and that only lasts a few seconds.

[takethistoyourgrave]

OP, I feel your pain. Seriously HATE going to the dentist. Have ever since I can remember; I think I had a HORRIBLE dentist when I was a kid, and that is what set it off.

Every time I go to the dentist now, for anything, I just talk to them first --- tell them I unconditionally hate them, and ask them to be gentle

[Lucavi]

You'll have oh so much fun, OP. Just channel your e-thuggin' skills and you'll be able to put on a brave face!

[miokomioko]

Root Canals aren't all that bad. I really wonder how they got so notorious for being painful. The only weirdness to be experienced is if your teeth tend to have curved/hooked roots... which mine do. The drill bits that are used to clear out the roots are built to flex a bit to deal with some natural curve, but not a lot. My dentist (also close friend) was having a hard time getting to the ends of my roots, and the drill bit would go really slow due to it being flexed a lot, dealing with a lot of friction. That part felt a little weird/uncomfortable, but there was never any actual pain.

Including the new ceramic crown/tooth on said tooth, digital x-rays, medication, the procedure came out to like $1,800, but he only charged me $900. Which wasn't bad considering the guy he recommended I go to for the other root canal I need (now that I moved out of town) is probably going to charge me like $2,400. I am not happy about being freelance, and thus not having dental insurance right now.

[hey]

Had one a few weeks ago. I was in more pain sitting in the waiting room than at any point during the 1.5 hour procedure (or ever again afterwards). It was entirely painless.

Including the new ceramic crown/tooth on said tooth, digital x-rays, medication, the procedure came out to like $1,800, but he only charged me $900. Which wasn't bad considering the guy he recommended I go to for the other root canal I need (now that I moved out of town) is probably going to charge me like $2,400. I am not happy about being freelance, and thus not having dental insurance right now.

Holy shit. How do people even afford that? My recent dentist visits have/will cost about a total of $2k. Factoring in insurance, my total out of pocket cost is/will be $2: to fill a Vicodin prescription. I don't know how i'll even survive when i turn 26 and lose my parents' health insurance

[Xantavia]

I've had a root canal done because of a broken/rotted tooth, but the pain was hardly there. The only part that even bothered me was the sound of the drill when it was doing its work. When I went back a few weeks later to get a cap put on, I didn't even get any novacaine. (They asked if I wanted it because what they had to touch up was gonna take like 3 minutes, but trying to numb me up would take a lot longer. But, I do have a fair number of tattoos and piercings, so my pain threshold might be higher)

Holy shit. How do people even afford that?

If you are like me, you don't. You just have a mouthful of broken and rotten teeth. And good luck getting a job that will offer reasonable insurance if you really don't smile because you're embarassed.

[Pirian]

Tooth brush - $3, Tooth paste - $4, never spending this money and getting stuck with the cost of a root canal - $1,000+ and a nasty ass fucking mouth.

Seriously, even brushing once a day cuts your rate of cavities and decay to almost nil, what the fuck is wrong with you people? Enjoy a future with dentures

[Hyan]

Tooth brush - $3, Tooth paste - $4, never spending this money and getting stuck with the cost of a root canal - $1,000+ and a nasty ass fucking mouth.

I'd put dental floss up there as well.

Although my dad got some pretty painful procedure done to two of his teeth (which he has to redo every day until he dies now) because he used too much force while brushing. So from how I look at it, whatever you do you can still get fucked...

[Kooldachio]

Tooth brush - $3, Tooth paste - $4, never spending this money and getting stuck with the cost of a root canal - $1,000+ and a nasty ass fucking mouth.

Seriously, even brushing once a day cuts your rate of cavities and decay to almost nil, what the fuck is wrong with you people? Enjoy a future with dentures

Honestly, some people just have really poor saliva. Yes, taking proper care gets you 99% there, but some people are definitely having more troubles then others.

OP: Had a couple root canals. One done by a dentist and three from an endontist with root canal speciality (one was to redo the poorly done dentist one). The endontics place was pain free every time - i'm recovering from one right now. The one from the dentist was the worst pain of my life.

[takethistoyourgrave]

Tooth brush - $3, Tooth paste - $4, never spending this money and getting stuck with the cost of a root canal - $1,000+ and a nasty ass fucking mouth.

Seriously, even brushing once a day cuts your rate of cavities and decay to almost nil, what the fuck is wrong with you people? Enjoy a future with dentures

lol

[ikariiiii]

only one root canal here, they stuck what felt like a white hot file into my gum and i nearly blacked out from the pain

but i know that feel

[Odon]

only one root canal here, they stuck what felt like a white hot file into my gum and i nearly blacked out from the pain

but i know that feel

fuck you for posting this now I never want to have one done thank god I have good teeth.

[Mamimikun]

Make sure take Ibuprofen before the numbing wears and you will be okay, eating is kinda akward so eat before you go. I brush, floss ect and I have and still have issues with my teeth.