Root Canal? Have you ever had one?

[Blue_Roses]

I have been in so much pain with this damn tooth and I finally went to dentist today, and he said I have to have a root canal. Ugh. I've heard some horror stories and I am not looking forward to it--not to mention the cost. :cry:

[mwdem]

1. I had mine 30 years ago. Wasn't bad, wasn't good,

but things have improved so much now, it shoud be okay. You do get over it quickly. Good luck.:hug:

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

38. Lots of improvement

I had one two years ago, and it was nothing. Seriously. I had worse experiences thirty years ago just having a cavity filled.

My 12-year-old "girlie-girl" of a daughter had one two months ago and had no problem.

They're a piece of cake.

[Fuzz]

2. Two.

Ouch.

One on a front tooth that I've had capped since. Sports injury. Played basketball and kept getting hit in the mouth while going for rebounds and the tooth kept chipping and I was spitting out parts of the tooth. Then the nerve was exposed and had to come out. :(

The other was a molar that cracked.

I'm falling apart piece by piece. lol

[Blue-Jay]

3. No, but I've had my wisdom teeth cut out.

Two of which were impacted and sitting sideways in my lower jaw. It hurt for a few days certainly, but overall it wasn't too bad. I can't imagine a root canal being much worse. If you've picked a good dental surgeon, you'll be fine.

[lizziegrace]

4. I've had 14

only 2 were necessary but that's another rant.

As soon as the novacaine (or whatever they use) kicks in, you will feel better than you have in a long time. It's amazing a tiny nerve can cause such pain.

:hug:

Hang in there.

[Blue_Roses]

6. Good God isn't that the truth

I am in so much pain that I think a hammer would help

[idgiehkt]

9. I can identify

I've had 3 and none were necessary. I'm still bitter about it, especially because one if full of amalgam. It helps to know there is someone else out there who has been through that. Damn dentists, endodontists.

[lizziegrace]

10. I have a cranial nerve disorder

it was diagnosed after 6 years and 14 root canals. I have toothaches in teeth that have no nerves. :(

[idgiehkt]

15. that is awful

I am sorry to hear that. I still have 'ghost' pains in my root canal teeth. My ears have been ringing since the day I had my first root canal 10 years ago. The day that I register any hearing loss I am going to have them pulled. They have caused nothing but trouble since the day that I started having them. I have one tooth that supposedly was in the worst shape that I did not have done that is totally fine 10 years later.

[edwin]

5. Well, I've had a couple,

and I have to say that a root canal is one of the "better" things to get done tooth-wise, way easier than a filling for example. I've had them by 3 different dentists, but my last few (it sucks to have bad teeth) by an endodontist and those were the "best".

Hope you feel better soon!

[Blue_Roses]

8. well, this is definitely reassuring

:) especially if it's better than having a filling. I'm just ready to get this behind me. It's amazing how much a tooth ache can make you want to die.

[texanwitch]

7. I had one a few years ago, no pain.

The name sounds really bad but the worst part was paying for it, $1000 for the root canal and crown.

It it worth it to save the tooth.

My Dentist told me everything that was going happen, after that I wasn't scared.

Just try to be calm about, it really isn't that bad.

My tooth was really bad to, didn't think it could be saved.

:hug:

[UndertheOcean]

26. I had a root canal like 10 month ago....

But I'm dragging my feet with the crown thing.... my tooth seems fine with just the amalgam, so is doing the crown really necessary ?

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

11. Yep. While I didn't get valium, they had me high as a kite on lauging gas and novcaine

If I recall, I actually enjoyed it.

[spindrifter]

12. My mouth is a gold mine!

Yes, I've had several root canals. I've had gum surgery and have crowns and a bridge. The root canals were not a problem--just time and money-consuming. The gum surgery was horrifying. It was the worst pain I have ever endured--and my pain threshold is pretty high. It was so freaking bad I am surprised I was able to return for the last two quadrants of work. But I finally got with the program--I'm now a flosser!

[likesmountains 52]

13. It's not bad at all really, the worst part is just having your mouth open

with the "dam" in it for so long...

[Deep13]

35. The most painful part was when I got to the cash register.

:yoiks: How much!?

[Redstone]

14. Yes, I have. And it didn't hurt at all. But then again,

that tooth had apparently been "dead" for many years (over 30) fromj being smacked (probably by a basketball or a football) when I was young.

Redstone

[sakabatou]

16. Yes

And I didn't hurt that much... hmmm

[Glorfindel]

17. Yes...it's not too bad, actually

Just be sure to get LOTS of nitrous oxide. That stuff can really put you in touch with the universe!

[Norwood]

18. I've had a couple

Both the result of biting a rail when skateboarding (it was pretty messy), I dont skate anymore needless to say lol. I've also had 3 wisdom teeth removed. None of it really hurt during the actual procedure, although the pressure against my gums and the sound of the drill/cracking teeth was quite unpleasant. :thumbsdown:

It might hurt for a day or so afterwards, vicodin was my friend :D

[Manifestor_of_Light]

19. Go to a biological dentist

Get 'em pulled. I had two teeth with Hg fillings, they cracked, I had root canals, and then just a year or two later went to a biological dentist. (google it).

This dentist pulled em because they don't sterilize your jaw properly and you get anaerobic infections in the root tips, which produce toxins. Anaerobic bacteria thrive in closed (non-oxygenated) spaces and cause some terrible diseases: Botulism, tetanus, anthrax, gas gangrene.
The toxins in my root tips were destroying the cells around them. And it's real close to your brain!

Within just a few hours of having those root canal teeth pulled, and the holes in the jaw disinfected three different ways, I could tell I was thinking faster!!! I got a partial to replace the teeth.

I also got my Hg fillings removed. Mercury is a known neurotoxin, a heavy metal and just bad all over. The American Dental Association will yank the license of any dentist who tells you it is a neurotoxin or poisonous. Keeping your teeth can mean keeping poisons and infections in.

Sorry I'm on a soapbox here, but I just have to get the word out. There are safer alternatives.

[Deep13]

36. What a load of crap.

Sorry to have to put it that way. There's nothing infectious about a root canal unless the dentist REALLY screws up. The human mouth cannot be sterilized, but the root canal is sterilized with clorine. Frankly, nothing can live through that. I have had a number of root canals. Most were successful and remain trouble free. The ones that failed did so because there was not enough structure above the gum-line for a crown to attach. Had nothing to do with infection.

ADA does not license dentists. They are merely a professional association. Consequently, they have no power to yank a license. Dentists are licensed by state licensing boards. Mercury vapor is a nuerotoxin, but dental amalgam is not. This is an alloy of mercury, tin and silver. It is being phased out not because it is toxic, but because newer materials are stronger, look natural and have better adhesion. White fillings are like epoxy that actually stick to the inside of the cavity. Amalgam has to rely on its shape to stay in there.

Flossing a restored tooth is a lot less trouble than wearing partials.

See
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/holisticdent.html

Scroll to the bottom for info on amalgam fillings.

[Blue_Roses]

20. UPDATE to add to previous post:

Any suggestions on dental insurance companies? Currently we don't have any and I have been searching the net tonight to see what's available. So far, I've found a couple, but just wanted to know if anyone has any advice in this area. It would be greatly appreciated:)

[Rosemary2205]

22. I have Blue Cross Dental

If you go to their Dentamax listed dentists it costs you less but I had trouble finding one I liked. My dentist's office hates BCBS with a passion but still takes it becuase so many of their patients have it. From the patient end I have no complaints and from an HR standpoint they are reasonable to deal with.

IMHO your best bet is to get a list of the insurance your dentist takes and check those out.

You could also check out dental colleges in your area that may do the work without the dental insurance but for the same price as you'd pay out of pocket at a regular dentist. I used to do that and although it took 3 times longer for everything it was excellent dental care and affordable.

[Blue_Roses]

23. thanks

We had BCBS with my spouse's last job and I liked it. Now with his new job we have no dental insurance. I've heard good things about the dental colleges. I may have to check the ones in my area. I'm just desperate to get rid of this pain. The dentist I saw today put me on antibiotics and gave me pain killers, but I know it's only for short term. I've been pretty fortunate so far with not having dental problems, but wow, it sucks now. I'm ready to just get a pair of pliers and go for it:cry:

[Rosemary2205]

24. By the way

a root canal with the necessary crown work was over $700 billed to Blue cross, an extraction for an abcessed tooth could be under $100 total. (retail)

If you are going to pay to preserve the tooth just make sure it's worth it. One of your far back teeth may or may not be worth the extra cost to you. I had a tooth crack on me from the inside out and there was no way to save it. I thought it would be the end of the world but now that my "hole" has healed up it's no whoopdidoo. I doubt I'll even bother to replace it with a bridge even though BCBS will pay half.

For what it's worth.

[Rosemary2205]

21. I felt BETTER afterwards on mine.

I was given narcotics and filled it just in case but I felt so much better the day after. I think the ice packs on my jaw when I got home helped a little to keep the swelling down - but really, it was like instant relief.

Make sure they give you safety glasses to keep the tooth chips out of your eyes and agree on a hand signal in case you need to stop for a minute just to catch your breath, cough, or shift your body. All that crap in your mouth and grabbing onto the dental chair is disconcerting even when it doesn't actually hurt.

[Skittles]

25. I've had a few, they are nothing

didn't feel any pain at all

[RebelOne]

27. It's a piece of cake. I've had two of them.

Dentist numbed me up where I didn't feel a thing.

[DrDan]

28. I have had 2

I also heard those horror stories.

It was nothing like that. Not much worse than a filling.

[Burma Jones]

29. Don't worry, it will be better once it's underway

I've had one, it wasn't bad at all.

[BlueIris]

30. Don't let them give you generic pain meds.

They don't work and aren't worth the money you allegedly save. Get your dentist to write "do not substitute" on the Rx and don't let the pharmacy fuck with you when you're filling the script. That is all.

[Deep13]

34. Honestly, I have never had a problem with that.

Generic medications are identical to name brands. Besides, for a root canal, narcotics are overkill. In fact, for many oral surgeries, all that is needed is a large dose of Advil.

[Bridget Burke]

31. I've had two--& they were both necessary.

The nerve damage was caused by injuries--from a fall & from a pearl in an oyster po-boy. Novocain did its job. The 2nd procedure took a long time & the drill-drill-drill was no fun. But not painful, at all.

And I didn't need pain medication afterwards.

[NewWaveChick1981]

32. My husband has had a LOT of root canals, and I've had one.

My husband is used to it and doesn't mind them at all. He has congenital dental problems, and about 60 percent of his teeth have root canals. All of the teeth in his mouth (he still has all of them, BTW) have crowns. He has one expensive mouth! :P

The one I had was about five years ago. The worst part was the ice test (YEEEOW!!!!), but it was fine otherwise. The most painful part was the bill. :eyes:

[Blue_Roses]

41. wow--is his mouth insured?

LOL--that is one expensive mouth! Sounds like it's worth it though.

I definitely can see how the bill is going to hurt...not looking forward to that part at all.

[NewWaveChick1981]

47. LOL...

His root canals started in the early 80s and have gone through the early part of 2006. Not all were insured, but the last 10 or so were. The crowns started about the same time, and he just had his final tooth crowned in Jan. 2006. The last 15 of the crowns were insured. And on the last 15 crowns, his uncle the dentist did them, so it was not nearly as painful financially as it could have been.

It's funny---his dental problems run in his family and are the result of a genetic mutation about two generations back on his mom's side. It causes a calcium deficiency in those affected, and the tooth size is smaller than average with weak enamel. He and his sisters were the "textbook" cases for the state dental school here in NC---they were the only documented people to have it at the time (in the late 1970s). He swears it's the result of a curse put on the family by somebody one of his relatives pissed off somehow. :P

[Deep13]

33. 9 or so.

If the dentist or endodontist is good, it is a piece of cake. The anesthesia is complete. The numb the tooth as usual, then open it. Then they put a drop of novacaine on the pulp to make that numb. If necessary they inject the now numb pulp directly. That's called profound anesthesia. Since a stream of novacaine precedes the needle, the pulp is completely numb before the needle ever gets there. In fact, it's easier than a filing because there's no vibrations from the drill. A dentist will usually do a single-root tooth. He or she will use a series of tiny files to make the root canal. For a multi-root tooth, an endodontist uses a microscope to find each root and uses a powered file.

I have had three that were pretty bad experiences. One was by a student who had no business being a doctor. The other two were by a dentists who just did not have the finesse necessary to use the anesthesia effectively.

The expensive part is not the root canal but the restoration. Once rendered nonviable, the tooth will require a post for added strength and a crown to replace the lost structure. There really is no way around this as root-out teeth become brittle.

If you are really nervous, maybe he can give you some Halcion for the procedure.

[QMPMom]

37. DH had one a couple of years ago and it wasn't bad at all - and

when it comes to pain and illness, he is Weenie Boy.

[Deep13]

39. Make sure you don't get that Dr.House.

He plays by no ones rules but his own.:evilgrin:

Also, avoid Dr. Quinn, medicine woman, as she is restricted to 19th century techniques.

Don't get me started on Dr. Pepper.

[Blue_Roses]

43. LOL...

I needed that laugh this morning...:D

[cboy4]

40. The cost of the procedure is far, far more painful than anything

else.

Don't be afraid. You'll be fine! :)

[Deep13]

45. That is so true.

You'll be fine, but broke.

[cboy4]

48. YUP! Why oh why didn't I go into medicine!!!!

:cry:

[MissMillie]

42. I had one, many years ago

It was complete agony for about 30 seconds, and then it was a piece of cake. Once the nerve is dead, it's pretty easy.

Getting the nerve dead hurts like a MOFO!!!!

[Deep13]

44. Not anymore.

A dentist who knows what he is doing can anesthetize the nerve without the patient jumping through the ceiling.

[MissMillie]

51. LOL, my reflex reaction was to bring up my hand--very quickly

and I knocked the dentist's eyeglasses clear across the room. Of course, I don't care much for nitrous (I can't explain why--I just don't care for it), so I was a "novacaine only" patient.

And my dentist never really explained the procedure to me, so I didn't know what it was he was doing to me. Quite an education!

[derby378]

46. I had one - the most painful part was the bill itself

The only time I was actually hurting was at some point during the insertion of the post. I took a couple of doses of ibuprofen 800mg and was just fine afterwards. For you, it might be different, depending on your tolerance level for pain.

[trackfan]

49. Not bad at all - the toothache is a lot worse.

From the patient's standpoint it's not too different from getting a filling - except it takes a looooooooong time.

[Phillycat]

50. Eh, it's nothing.

I had one on my front bottom tooth after I got kicked in the mouth in a mosh pit. I'd never even had a filling before so I was damned nervous. The Novacaine needle SUCKED, but the drilling itself was painless. It smelled kinda gross though. :D

[Left Is Write]

52. One? I've had FIVE.

Truly, they are a minor hassle but not a big deal. The root canal itself is done in one appointment. Usually you will have to come back later for a crown buildup and measuring for your permanent crown. When your permanent crown is ready, the seating takes 5-15 minutes.

If you have reached the toothache stage, you will be happy to have the root canal - it will take away the source of your pain! They'll give you Novocaine (a nearly painless procedure now, especially compared to when I was a kid. The most uncomfortable part for me is having to keep my mouth open for so long and drooling underneath the rubber dam (used to isolate the tooth). My dentist will give me a "block" for my mouth that helps to rest my jaw.

If you're nervous, ask them to explain the procedure, step by step, in advance and while they are doing it, so you know exactly what to expect and when. It is much, much better than having to lose a tooth.

[Strawman]

53. "I just had a short vacation Roy

Spent it getting root canal"

-Warren Zevon

It's not bad anymore. I had a one that took two visits and I didn't feel a thing other than sore afterward.

[bikebloke]

54. Had a couple

The worst part was paying for it. I was working without insurance. (Relatives and their friends got all the benefits, including the one where they didn't have to work.) Before installing the crown, one dentist installed a temporary cap. Ask for the plastic kind. I was given a metallic one that pinched my gums so bad, I couldn't sleep.