Root Canal?

I just found out yesterday that I have to have this procedure done to me. I have never had a root canal and I have heard some horror stories about it. Has anybody here ever had one? I would like to get some feedback from the forum-goers as to how uncomfortable it is. One person says that there is an injection of Novocaine to the roof of the mouth involved. Is this true? How uncomfortable is it after the numbing agent wears off? Is it anything like a wisdom teeth extraction? I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted in one sitting back when I was like 22-23 yo and it was a shitty experience. Is a root canal any better?

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Originally Posted by KindMidasSoundman

I just found out yesterday that I have to have this procedure done to me. I have never had a root canal and I have heard some horror stories about it. Has anybody here ever had one? I would like to get some feedback from the forum-goers as to how uncomfortable it is. One person says that there is an injection of Novocaine to the roof of the mouth involved. Is this true? How uncomfortable is it after the numbing agent wears off? Is it anything like a wisdom teeth extraction? I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted in one sitting back when I was like 22-23 yo and it was a shitty experience. Is a root canal any better?

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You'll probably get several shots of Novocain in different areas.

I've had a number of root canals and it's OK with Tylenol after the 'caine wears off. This is because the nerve is removed. It's more complex than an extraction, but less healing is involved.

I had an infection for years in one of the gums that I had a root-canal in, and had to go to an Endodontist last year to open it up and clean it out. It was totally painless, and has not flared up again. He was not very complimentary of most oral surgeons' abilities to do root canals correctly, and said that there were only two good places in Brooklyn to have it done. If I ever need more root canal work, I'm going back to him.

Good luck.

I think I had a small route canal, although the details are a little fuzzy cause it was around the time I had my wisdom teeth pulled :(

I asked my friends before the route canal and I heard some serious horror stories. It wasn't that bad though. There was moderate pain (eg. Needle in the mouth area) but it all depends on the dentist. Some dentists will go about it different ways.

Either way, I survived and the pain wasn't anything that I couldn't handle. I'm sure you'll come away from it just fine. But post and let us know how it went :thumbsup:

i had one done, not bad at all no pain , just feels funny

With modern technology,root canals aint shit no more. I had about a year ago, and it wasnt bad at all.

Okay. Listen up. I'm a dental student.

If the root canal is in your lower jaw, you will probably have two injections, both of which should feel like a little pinch, not much more. Then, theoretically, you should be entirely numb, and you won't feel anything after that. You will hear the sounds and there might be some pressure but you shouldn't feel pain if the injections are effective.

If it is in your upper jaw, there will probably be two injections, one of which is a little pinch and the other of which can be unpleasant (the one in the palate you were worried about). But again, once you are numb, you are numb; you shouldn't feel much.

NOW. This is important. CANNABIS SMOKERS ARE LESS RESPONSIVE TO DENTAL ANESTHESIA THAN NON-SMOKERS. So abstain a few days beforehand. It will help.

Other reasons you may feel pain:
* usually a root canal is done because you have an infection. the infection changes the pH of your cells. dental anesthesia is dependent upon the cells' pH for its efficacy. so, if you have an infection, the anesthetic may not work as well, and there is nothing the dentist can do about that. you could ask for nitrous oxide (laughing gas) if you are exceptionally nervous about it.
* the injection may numb most of the nerves, but not all of them. sometimes this is due to your particular anatomy or is a fluke of the injection. so you may feel twinges here and there, but overall, you SHOULD get numb.

And remember, TELL your dentist if you are feeling it. We will gladly give you more anesthetic if we know you need it - we don't want you to be in pain.

Hope that helps.

i didnt find it hurt too much when i got it

Oh yes... and one more thing. Take 800 mg of ibuprofen (if you can) an hour before the procedure, and then another 400 mg afterwards. Repeat as needed. This is important and will help a LOT.

I also recommend this for tattoos and piercings.

Thanks, TSM!

My affected tooth is in my lower jaw, so I guess that's good (I don't have to worry about the palate injection now, right?)
I wondered how the weed would affect anything. I told the Dentist that I am a heavy potsmoker at the initial appointment, so hopefully he will take that into consideration when evaluating my anesthesia dose. I don't know if I will be able to abstain for that long before but I'll try.
Also: he gave me Tylenol 3s at the initial appointment. Should I take those right before I go in, or the ibuprofen? Both?

Interesting on the tattoo/piercing factor too! I'm a big tattoo fan and plan on having a lot of work done this year. I'll keep that in mind for that too!!

Thank you to everybody for your kind advice!!

Okay, do the Tylenol 3's if that's what your endodontist gave you. You shouldn't need the ibuprofen if you have those.

Good that your dentist knows about the cannabis; it sounds like he is pretty thorough and knowledgeable so you will be in good hands.