Root Canal

I had one done about a year ago. Once they put the injection in it wasn't bad although I did feel it when the pulled out the root - they stopped and put more pain killers in.

Overall it wasnt as bad as I had heard from others. But I did catch it quite early on.

Free advice from a dentist here:

Generally speaking, if you have had a decent temporary dressing placed, it shouldn't hurt the second time you go back, because the dressing is designed to kill the rest of the nerve and the bacteria inside the tooth that caused the problem in the first place.

So the rest of the procedure should be fine. Sometimes we can even do it without anaesthetic, although i wouldn't recommend that! You can ask for more anaesthetic or a stronger kind if its not working after the first injection.

Everyone knows someone who has had a horror story with a root canal, but if its done properly then you should be able to keep the tooth and have no more pain from it for years to come.

I know the cost seems high, but root canal is one of the most complex procedures we do.
To do it well it requires a decent amount of time, and expensive equipment and materials.
Its nearly always better to have a root canal than lose a tooth. (except maybe the very back ones)

(your dentist should have explained all this to you- sometimes when you are in pain its hard to take it all in though)

If your dentist doesn't use a rubber sheet over the tooth to do the treatment, then its a waste of time having it done- find someone who uses it, its called "rubber dam", and it should be used for all root canal treatment, but some people don't use it.

You should be able to ask your dentist to use it, especially as it stops you swallowing some of the chemicals they use to do the treatment which wouldn't be advised esp if you are breastfeeding.

Good luck and I hope its OK for you!



Edited by Lady Lizard

Thanks lady lizard for that info. I had 2 lots of anesthetic because they said i had a hot pulp, so hopefully now the nerves dying off.

Guess i just felt like having a woe is me post. i shouldnt really complain, it had been 10yrs since i last went. naughty i know. wont make that mistake again