Tooth problem/Root Canal?

[TBgirl]

Oh my. I have been in such pain these past two weeks. I had a wisdom tooth on the bottom right side that came in sideways and was pressing on another tooth. Back in May I had the wisdom tooth extracted. However, it created a big cavity against the molar it was pressing on. Well, about 2 weeks ago I went into my dentist and had the filling done on that tooth. After the filling I started getting sensitivity to hot and cold foods, then pain in my lower jaw and gums which is now radiating to the top part of my jaw. This is all pain on the right hand side.

Sooooooo...I went back to the dentist and he took an x-ray and said I have an abscess under this tooth. Well now I am supposed to be going in tomorrow a.m. to an endodontist for a root canal, and eventually get a post & crown. I am really scared. I have anxiety and I have had so many problems this year with my teeth, I am in fear of pain (after the wisdom tooth extraction I got a BAD dry socket, etc.).

Have any of you had a root canal? What can I expect? I am really dreading it and the thought of having a terrible weekend and more pain to come. Any info is greatly appreciated!! Thanks.

[pandorasmom]

Horseaholic is good with things like this if I'm not mistaken. I'm of not help except to say I'll be praying for you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

:grouphug:

[oursarge]

First off good luck. Sounds like you had a terrible time with the other work you had done. That's every person's nightmare if they are afraid of dentists like I am! I had 2 root canals and my dentist was so good I never felt a thing, I don't know why I'm terrified to go there because she has never once hurt me even pulling teeth she never hurt me. She is very gentle, she knows how terrified I am so she will stop and ask me if I was OK, tells me the local gossip etc. It seemed to take forever, that was the worst was waiting for it to be done. I had a bad infection in the tooth so it took awhile for her to be able to complete it but finally she was able to finish it off. I had heard all kinds of horror stories but with her I never felt one thing but the needles and didn't even feel them much since she numbs things before she sticks the needle in.

I had my oral surgery on Tues. I was a total wreck, I sort of didn't want to get put to sleep but the oral surgeon was so nice and pretty funny and he told me with how scared I was and with what he had to do [The roots were curled into my jaw so he had to cut me, I sort of don't really want to know what he did but I have stitches so I know he cut me] I needed more than the stuff they give you where you are awake but you don't care what they're doing. He said I'd probably jump out of the chair and take off on him so he wanted to put me under. I was TERRIFIED, beyond terrified and it was so fast, when they woke me up I didn't think that they started yet and they were done. I've hardly had any pain or swelling on the outside [Inside was swollen some] I'm taking it real easy though because I'm afraid it'll start to bleed again or I'll get dry socket or more swelling or infection. I just worry about everything so I can understand how you feel. I hate getting dental work done.

Good luck, as I said I don't know about other dentists but mine didn't even give me a twinge of pain, not even afterwards. She's very gentle, I think that is why she has such a huge patient list, you have to wait a long time to see her unless it's an emergency because once people found out she is gentle they all started going to her! Good luck, I hope all goes well.

[oursarge]

I forgot to say that I had such horrid pain before the surgery it woke me up out of a sound sleep, I had it for days it was almost unbearable. I almost did a "Grandpa" I saw the needle nose plyers on the counter and wondered how bad it would hurt if I pulled the tooth out on my own! Thing is the tooth that was real bad was the one behind the one I thought was the bad one but I hurt from my jaw to the top of my head, my eye everything, a throbbing almost unbearable pain so I can so feel for you. I'm glad I didn't use the plyers because of the way the roots were growing I would have just caused myself more pain [My grandfather used to pull his own with plyers if he had pain] especially since the teeth were not loose at all they were just hurting something awful. I had an infection but not an absess I guess. Good luck, I hope it will all be pain free for you.

[Remali]

Oh man, I sure can relate!! Well, I can tell you that I've had about 3 root canals, or maybe it's 4?! LOL.
I never felt a thing, but I made sure that I went to an endodontist. There are a lot of regular dentists who do root canals too though. I asked for nitrous oxide to help me relax, and that really did help me a lot..... because I was scared to death and a nervous wreck. But honestly, the dentist numbed me up a LOT, and I never felt a thing. Also, I never had any pain or any problems afterwards.

[grandmadeb]

Have had 1 root canal and I felt no pain . Have had numerous crowns too and the only pain I felt was when my dentist did the under the gum impression for the crown. I have very good gums and they did not want to co operate for the impression. I was a little sore for a day or so. When I had the first crown done, I could feel that it was different that my real tooth and it bothered me but only for a few hours. Talk to the specialist and tell him of your fears and have him explain everything to you so you are not afraid of what you don't know.

[Horseaholic]

Oy sorry TBgirl.
Since you are going to an endodontist this should be a one shot deal for the root canal..if not it will be two visits. You will be a bit bite sore but you shouldn't really experience any INTENSE pain. You will be a tad sensitive overall but no shooting pains when just sitting still. He will prob give you a pain killer just in case- depending on how well the procedure goes. A root canal is actually a pretty cool procedure (boring for me and the patient but pretty cool nonetheless) What he's going to do is drill an access hole through the top of your tooth...this will open up to a "chamber" (for lack of better word lol) where your pulp is...he'll remove the nerve there and proceed down into each root (There is an access hole to each root once he opens up the "chamber" to remove all of your nerve tissue...he'll clean it out , rinse it and fill the nerve canals back up with a material (most likely called gutta percha) (he may place your post as well- some dentist prefer the endodontist to do this and other prefer to do it themselves) and put some cotton in the larger part of the tooth and poot some "cavit" or temporary material to keep that hole closed.
Once you are done with the root canal you will be pain free since that tooth no longer has any nerves! So no worries after you're all healed up from the root canal (Unless a root is cracked- but lets not get into that :p ) You may need a small shot for the impression..as grandmadeb mentioned your gums may be a bit sensitive. (They stick a cord into your gums to pull the gum away from the tooth so you can get a good impression and fit for the crown). PLEASE go back immediately to have your tooth restored once you have the root canal done as most people who are out of pain don't realize that the tooth will still deteriorate. So it's important to just do it all and not have any complications. :) I wish you the very best!!!

Oh and I highly recommend that you ask to see the x-ray of your tooth once they are ready to fill!! You want ALL of the nerve tissue OUT all the way down to the tip of the root.
This picture- off of Google- is a good looking root canal...if you look at the white stuff in the second tooth from the left, you can see that the white extends to the very tip of that tooth (apex)..this is what you want your root canal to look like.
http://www.affordabledentistryandorthodontics.com/images/rootCanalXRay.jpg

This x-ray - also taken off of google- the first tooth from the left is filled too short..You can see the tip of the root and the white does not go all the way down to the tip.
http://www.fortunedentalclinic-thailand.com/images/root_canal_treatment6.jpg

:) lol I hope I didn't bombard you. It's important that patients are informed though!

[Remali]

Great information Horseaholic!

Just wanted to say Good Luck and it will be alright for you TBgirl! I know everything will go really well for you!

[Remali]

How are you doing today TBgirl? Hope it went well for you and you are feeling better.

[TBgirl]

Oh you are all the best! You all helped put my mind at ease :) I read through the replies quick this a.m. before my appt. but didn't have time to write.

Well, had my root canal and it went well. I actually had a mini panic attack before he began the procedure. At first I asked the poor endo like 20 questions lol. My mom finally convinced me to just get the darn root canal done and over with. After he gave me the novocain I got real shaky. I had to get up and start walking around. They gave me a glucose tablet and told me to just chill out and that it was probably my adrenaline. So, like 10 mins later I was fine. I didn't feel a thing at all during the whole procedure and it only lasted like 15 mins. I took 2 advils right at the office after he finished at 10 a.m. and haven't taken anything since! My jaw feels sore but I am not really in pain. I do have a slight sore throat though. I didn't fill my prescription for stronger pain pills because well, I just don't like meds. I have my advil with me if need be. I am having a super hard time not chewing or getting food on that side though! I will keep doing the salt water rinses. Oh and I have to go back October 14th for him to do the 2nd part of the process.

So, all in all I made out good! Thanks again guys for explaining your experiences with me, I appreciated it!

[TBgirl]

Oh and P.S. thank you much horseaholic!!! I appreciated all of the info! Your our forum dental girl lol! I may have more questions for you down the road! ;)

[oursarge]

So happy you made out OK, I've had panic attacks before going to the dentist. I take a little bottle of Peppermint Oil with me everywhere and sniff that a couple times and that seems to calm me down. I don't know why so many people have such a fear of dentists but as we can see from just this board there are alot of us. The only time I wasn't terrified was the last time I went to my dentist thinking that anything she did couldn't hurt as much as the pain I was going through then she sent me to the oral surgeon! I told her one time I went without having a panic attack and then she couldn't do the work. It figures! I'm just glad you are OK and the pain isn't bad. Take care of yourself. I just started the salt water rinses today, he said wait 72 hrs. That does hurt, I'm not anxious to do it again but have to in about an hr. I am wondering when the threat of infection goes away? That's what I'm most scared of now. The pain and swelling have been managable I just worry about infection.

[Remali]

Glad it went good for you! I was thinking about you this morning.

I get like that too, sometimes I get so panicky at the dentist I can't breathe.....

[Horseaholic]

I'm so glad it went well and that I could help! :) I'm not sure if they told you but you got shaky like that because there is adrenaline IN the anesthetic. It's a normal response. (Especially for women) :) You can ask me questions anytime you'd like! I love talking dental just as much as I love talking horses. (Except I'm more knowledgeable with the dental stuff) :P

[Horseaholic]

Oursage - there shouldn't be any infection. Your mouth is an incredible healing tool. Our bodies need it to eat so it heals VERY quickly. You would have already had problems if u were going to get an infection. You still aren't out of the clear for a dry socket though but you'll know if that begins to happen. (Bad taste and smell and pretty painful!- VERY sensitive)

[Remali]

That's right, there is adrenaline (or something like it) IN the novocaine, I had forgotten that..... I'm glad you mentioned that Horseaholic....because in the past it always caused troubles for me (I have a heart arrhythmia).... That was another reason I always needed the nitrous oxide, it helped with the reaction I'd get from the novocaine.

[oursarge]

Oursage - there shouldn't be any infection. Your mouth is an incredible healing tool. Our bodies need it to eat so it heals VERY quickly. You would have already had problems if u were going to get an infection. You still aren't out of the clear for a dry socket though but you'll know if that begins to happen. (Bad taste and smell and pretty painful!- VERY sensitive)

Thank you! It looks good inside, a tiny bit swollen where the stitches are but where the teeth were almost looks healed. Today has been 4 whole days. I worry about the dry socket too, hopefully that won't happen, I worry about everything as everyone can tell! Thanks again for the info. about infection because I was worried about that since the tooth had some infection when I went there. I had taken anti biotics before, not sure if the meds took it all away or not. He didn't give me anything so I assumed that he didn't see any infection in there. I hate taking anti biotics, hard to find something that doesn't make me real sick so I was happy to leave without a presctiption for anything but pain and I didn't even need one of them but will hang on to them just in case I get a bad pain somewhere else!