I have to get a root canal :(

[nessness]

Went to the dentist to get a crown today, and oops, there's too much decay so I need a root canal. She removed all the decay and filed my tooth, which was already super painful. She referred to me another dentist who apparently does nothing but root canals and is therefore really fast at it, and can use fewer meds, and I got it scheduled for tomorrow.

Someone assure me that it won't be that bad? My mom once told me that she had a root canal a month after giving birth to me and thought the root canal was worse than childbirth (and I weighed over 10 pounds!), which has me scared. But other people have told me no way is it THAT bad. Experiences?

[mannah]

Unfortunately I've had two. I hated them but not because they hurt--there really was no pain other than when they give you the shot to numb you up. I just hate having people all up in my business and the lack of control and nasty noises etc. But it won't hurt, esp if you're seeing a person who ONLY does root canals. (That's the kind of person who did mine too.)

Random--wear crappy clothes. I wore a nice sweater and something they used had bleach in it and tiny little flecks got all over my sweater and ruined it. The dentist paid me to replace it but would have been nice to avoid.

Also you could bring headphones and listen to music to avoid the yucky noises.

Good luck, you'll get through it and be so glad when it's over!

[nessness]

Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear!   Did you take any pain medication afterward? I got a prescription for vicodin (which I confirmed with my OB is pregancy-safe), but I'd like to avoid taking it if I can.

[mannah]

I was only given ibuprofen and it was sore for a day or two. Vicodin would have been nice! I think I only took the I Ibuprofen once. I think you'll be ok without the Vicodin and you could take Tylenol if it's too much to go without nothing

[pinotgrig]

I had to get one last summer. It wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting! It was just like a really long filling. I actually went to work afterwards! I filled the RX pain killer, but never ended up using it - aleve was enough for me. And I'm a big baby when it comes to pain, so I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[mandymay]

The actual procedure didn't hurt me. The soreness of placing the temporary crown (and permanent crown) is what bugged me. My gums were torn up last time and I needed to take Advil twice, but I was fine after that.

[FastHands]

I had one at about 12yo. I know I cried when it was over, lol, and I remember my dad asking if it hurt and crying "Noooooo.. Idk WHY I'm crying." Lol. I tend to tense up when having my teeth worked on (even a cleaning, and I love cleanings), so I think it was just like an adrenaline response. I was laughing about it by like 20min later when I got home.

[D2M]

I've had two in the past 1.5 years (one while 20 weeks pregnant) and I am a HUGE weenie but they were a piece of cake. I haaaaate needles, get angsty over most medical procedures, and do not love the dentist, but the root canals were nothin'. I actually dozed off during both procedures -- seriously. For my first root canal, I pre-emptively took Alleve right after and I did not have any noticeable pain. For my second, because I was pregnant, I took Tylenol. I was totally fine.

Dentistry has improved by leaps and bounds since your mom had hers done. Do not freak out. It will also take much less time than you think. My root canals were done in an hour or so. The most painful part? The bill at the end.

Good luck.

[nessness]

Thanks for all the reassurance! It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, and it seemed like it went by really fast. I have a feeling I'm going to be sore tonight though, so maybe I'll take some Tylenol before the anesthetic wears off.

And I hear you @d2m, paying that bill was no fun!

[pinotgrig]

May 13, 2014 14:30:04 GMT -5 nessness said:

Thanks for all the reassurance! It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, and it seemed like it went by really fast. I have a feeling I'm going to be sore tonight though, so maybe I'll take some Tylenol before the anesthetic wears off.

And I hear you @d2m, paying that bill was no fun!

I didn't realize it was today! Glad it wasn't bad for you - I hope you heal quickly!