I'm getting a root canal........
 

Never had one before.

Relatively healthy dental history but a week or so ago started feeling pain in the left lower back area of the mouth.

My dentist got me in this morning, took some x-rays, did some hands on diagnostics, and determined the very back molar has dying nerve(s) inside.

So I have an appointment for March 5 for the root canal.

In the meantime I'm taking amoxicillin for a week, which should address the infection and thus the pain.

He said it's about a 2 hour procedure give or take. Take some Ibuprofen before I come in because my mouth will be open for a while.

Ive had a few root canals. The worst part for me was sitting there with my mouth jacked open for what seemed like days.

Easy peasy, not even queasy.

Yea, the Novocaine shot is the worst part. Once the job is done, no more pain at all as the nerves are gone.

That tooth will last about 15 to 20 before it has to have a crown, or an implant.

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Thanks, Glen.

It's already got a crown so he'll drill through the center of it, he said. Then plug it back up when done.

He stays pretty up to date on everything so I trust he'll do it right.

Thanks everyone for your posts!

And the clip, Steve....lol....

Piece of cake, don't waste a minute worrying.

Are you going to an endodontist or is the dentist doing the digging?

OMFG! My dentist told me he was starting the procedure to make it easier for my endo. By all means, have the endo do it from start to finish.

Thanks Dentist is doing it.

Don't do it. Go to an endo.

For a skilled practitioner with the proper equipment, it is less painful than a filling.

Baz, you'll have no problems. Just don't think about the nuts and bolts of the procedure while it is being done. I was following along during one and suddenly realized my weak stomach wasn't going to like the knowledge. I immediately had to switch to re-indexing the rear suspension in the old E in my queasy mind.:D

Best
Les

Today makes the 4th day I've been taking the amoxicillin. I thought the pain would have gone away by now by it's still sore, although not as bad as it was.

From what I understand it takes a few days for the amoxicillin to work, so maybe this is normal.

I will call my dentist tomorrow but in the meantime, wondering if anyone has any other thoughts.

Thanks!

I’ve had three or four over the years. One tooth, I had done twice due to infection years later. Then I had an Endo go through the gum on another tooth. That was actually easier and less stressful than the traditional root canal.

I’m headed to the oral surgeon this Tuesday, for a consultation, to get a wisdom tooth pulled, that fractured.

Yup, they just drill through the crown. Part science and part art. They 'feel' the passage ways. Last time I sat in that chair, he was fixing an infection that the last guy missed MANY years ago. He found a little branch-out root that is normally not there. Like what you see on antlers often enough. I asked him if he plays a musical instrument and he said no. That's a shame.

I would advise not to go to a strip mall dentist.

I had a strip mall dentist advise to a root canal… After the RC it was determined that i had the inflamed nerve from a wisdom tooth. she also ground down the tooth too much so that a crown won’t stay on.

I don't think it is normal. When I had my root canals, there was no pain afterwards. Didn't even take the Oxy. However, when my dentist started it, he informed me after he started it. Not the best experience as it was my friend's dad that did it. She is also a dentist, but was on the mainland at that time. She has moved back and is taking over her dad's practice.

I have not had the root canal yet. It's scheduled for March 5th.

I'm sure your dentist can get you an appt with a specialist before then.

Good luck Baz.

After it's done you may find your health in general improves. As you know a bad tooth is a direct route for bacteria to get into your blood stream. So with this plugged up your body won't be fighting evil bacteria and can concentrate on the good times.

i went to a specialist. it was a difficult root system.
zero pain/discomfort. i was amazed.
i went in fearful - had my wisdom teeth taken out while in the chair (in the 70’s) all four of them.
i recall sweat running down my back, as he put his knee into my chest and went at it. it was absolutely brutal.
he left me with dry sockets - it was a f’n nightmare. for a full month.

Yes. Go with the specialist. Get a reference from the local endo association.

The only thing difficult was the dental cam not catching chips and the harsh chlorine chem used to sterilize the canal. Other than that you will feel so much better. The thing is full of bad bacterial and the pain is from the part of the root still alive. Less pain and easier than a filling or cap.

Hey Baz,

I’m not a dentist or have any medical training for that matter, but I’ll remove it for half price! (Found some old drills by the curb while driving around)

Good luck to you and I hope you get some relief soon.

And yes, I already gave Moose a scritch for you.

My endodontist will not schedule a full day ever because they know emergencies will always fill the open spot. When the pain starts, the only thing to do is get it done.

Now.

Having an infection near the blood vessels is not a good thing. OHOH, the antibiotic is having a hard time getting to the tooth socket. All it is for is so you don't start to get septic.

It's normally 2 hours from start to finish and they may shoot you up once more at the one hour mark. Ask them for a one time Valium script to be filled that day or the day before. 2 hours before the procedure take the Valium. Since they prescribed it they know it's in your system and act accordingly AFA anesthetics.

You'll weather that 2 hours very well. There are some periods where they might leave the room for a few minutes while a a topical antibiotic marrinates down in your tooth roots. They will take a series of x-rays while a needle in inserted in the tooth to gauge depth.

Yea, I always uses an endodontist to do my root canals. Never a bit of pan after he is done, and all the nerves of that tooth are just gone.

Thanks, everyone. I will see if we have a local endodontist and ask my dentist about it.

There are no endodondists in NSB so I contacted one in Port Orange and was told their doctor wouldn't be back in until March and the soonest they could get me in would be March 7....2 days after my already scheduled appointment with my dentist. There are other offices further away but to be honest I don't want to do the extra drive...1 hour each way. At this point I will just stay with Plan A. Maybe my dentist can squeeze me in earlier.....

Jeebus. Sorry you have to be in pain that long.

Baz, stick with Plan A. The antibiotic has to have time to reduce and eliminate the infection which is the pain trigger. Failure to achieve this might result in the nerve blocking injection not being able to freeze the site. (Don't ask how I know)
Depending upon which tooth is involved the procedure might be fairly simple. My dentist did a root canal on a front tooth in his office but sent me to a specialist for the procedure on a molar. I saw and experienced about the same with each.
Best
Les

This. I went through this recently. I had an old crown on a tooth with a root canal. My dentist prepped it for a new crown but in between the temporary and permanent, the tooth broke and got infected. The pain was horrible.

The tooth had to be pulled. They tried numbing me several times but the shots didn't work because of the infection. You want that cleared up before the procedure. They ended up having to put me under for the removal. I'm now down a tooth. Luckily it was back right bottom so no implant needed. Best of luck. I root canal isn't a huge deal. I've had 3.

I went with the "gas" for mine. Worth the $200

OK thanks again everyone for the help and info.

I didn't know about the salt water but did this very early this morning and it actually helped me get back to sleep. Great tip!

I was on the phone with my dentist and they're going to keep me posted should an earlier opening become available. Also called another practitioner they work with in Daytona but no openings there until late March. Everyone is booked up.

I think I've done everything I can at this point.

I also learned that it's a good idea to take probiotics to replace those killed off by the anti-biotic I am taking. Never thought of that.

I'm going to try and eat mostly soft foods until I get this thing taken care of too. Maybe that will help.

The stuff we take for granted on a daily basis.......SMH......be grateful for your health when you have it.....

That's strange. I've never been to a dentist that will do root canals in his/her office. No extractions either. They always refer to a specialist. Big city I guess.

Good luck Baz! I hope you can minimize the discomfort before the procedure.

My endodontist had the latest equipment and it was state of the art.

Good luck, Baz!

The dentist last week was $100 to tell me I need to see the oral surgeon.

I’m at the oral surgeon’s office now for a $122 consult. We’ll see what the cost is to pull a wisdom tooth. Actually, two. The upper and lower on the left side. They pull them in pairs.

R - root canal
C - crown
W - wisdom teeth being pulled.

Lots of cavities. :(

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1708565645.jpg

$1803 for two. $275 after insurance. Not too bad.

OK thanks, Rocket. The quote for my root canal was $1,040. I have a credit card with a balance on it for dental, but not sure how much is on it. Hell at this point I'd pay more than that out of pocket just to get this in my rear view mirror! :eek:

Good luck with your dental work, my brother....keep smilin'! :D

Baz, have you tried any topicals? There's Anbesol, clove oil...

Yes and have been using them...mostly late in the evening before turning in. That seems to be the time the tooth hurts the most for some reason. They do help.

Thank you! SmileWavy