Root Canal Treatment

I have had root canal treatment once before a couple of years ago. This morning I had a dental appointment to reassess a round lump on my gum which he originally thought was an abscess, after taking a course of anti biotics, it is still there. I think it has perplexed him somewhat and he asked a colleague to have a look at it too, he has now down graded it to a cyst. I now have to have a further appointment with an endodontist (never heard of one of these before) who will clarify what course of treatment I need to have, but it will eventually be root canal I'm told.

I had root canal treatment about two years ago. I used to be a dreadful patient but the dentist I have now is brilliant and I never felt a thing. The only slight problem I had was cramp in my leg due to lying still for so long. I was so intent on focusing on my leg I was completely unaware of what was going on in my mouth.

I've lost count of the root canals I have had dealt with - so much so that it became virtually routine after a while! It's no worse than having a big molar filled, though it might take a bit longer. And every time, it got rid of the toothache which made it worth every penny (OK, pound)

I had treatment - I had to go back several times until they had gouged out all the badness inside the tooth, right down to the tip of the root. I' not sure if that's actually root canal treatment.

Anyway, the pain was OK, with an anaesthetic but for months - even years - afterwards, I needed physiotherapy and what they called "manipulation" to get my jaw joint into shape. I was lucky that the dentist prescribed me the treatment, when I told him that since I'd had to sit with my mouth wrenched so wide open for such long sittings that I was having trouble opening my mouth fully, and it was sometimes painful.

You may already have had your treatment Suzied, but if not , I second the others in saying its absolutely nothing to worry about. No different really from having a filling except I needed two visits, the first was a prep and cleaning of the channels , and remove the nerve and the second was the actual filling. Hope it all goes/gone well.

I have had several root canal treatments, probably between ten and 15 years ago. Was worried each time but no need, they sound worse than they are. The very best thing about them is there is no root left to cause agonising pain again, very good for me as I am a complete wimp with toothache. Mine were done by an NHS dentist. Cannot remember how long each appointment took, I am sure your dental surgery has specific time slots for various procedures. Good luck Suzied, I am sure it will go well.

I've had several root canal treatments the most recent last week. No pain whatsoever. Dentist says to put up my hand if I think I'm feeling anything and he can then top up with more anaesthetic.
It's always done on the NHS so not too expensive.

Over the years I've had root canal fillings to many of my teeth, which have then been crowned or had bridges fitted. My lovely dentist puts something on the gum before the injection so I don't feel the needle going in and then the area is numbed, making the procedure painless. It takes quite a while though and my dentist likes to chat while he's doing it. Unfortunately, with the noise of the saliva sucking gizmo and the drill I can't hear a word he says.

Christine - the same happened to me (only once though TG).
When I eventually got off the chair my knees nearly gave way.
I think they try to avoid the anaesthetic to save time, pack in more patients. It's the way they're paid.

I have had root canal work twice here in France. A very unsympathetic dentist who said " the nerves are dead you won't feel it, no need for anaesthesia " I hung onto the chair like grim death. Apart from some discomfort it was fine, just scary. The bill here is much the same as UK.

I had a root canal back in the late seventies, with an RAF dentist. I can't tell you how terrified I was but he was brilliant and I had no pain at all and the large back tooth, which was not crowned, is still sound. Without it I would have had a large gap.

I agree modern dentistry should not be painful. My dentist is young and seems to have a different, calm approach to dentists I've had in the past. She even make the anaesthetic injection painless. I think she puts her finger on a part of the gum so the injection doesn't hurt. So my advice is get the most recently trained dentist you can find.
As someone said the only painful part is paying!

I had a phobia about dentists until I found the one I see now, I always had sedation until I started going to him about 12 years ago.. I had a root canal a couple of years ago, I didn't feel a thing, I no longer dread my check ups or lay awake worrying when I have a dental appointment.

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Thanks everyone for the reassurance. I am much less apprehensive about the procedure now.

I wish I had had one done years ago when I had a problem tooth; she just said she could do a 'root canal filling' or take the offending tooth out. Not realising I could have had a crown (she didn't explain that could have been an alternative) I said, oh, take it out. So there is a gap there now, fortunately not one that shows.

I had one last year - no problem and no pain.

He dug it all out, packed it with some sort of antibiotic stuff and sent me away for a week. Then I went back and he checked that all was infection clear and then did the filling.

On both occasions I had just one injection and had no pain at all.

Fear not!

I must have gone to the wrong dentist, admittedly many years ago!!!

I had root canal on a recent tooth that then needed a crown . I have an implant also.

I go to a private dentist because I have a huge dental phobia and they guy I chose about 5 years ago has more than earns my trust.

My one criteria is no pain AT ALL.

I saw a root canal specialist at my own practice. He was awesome. I had a number of injections which I tolerate but totally numbed the area. He then used a special drill and microscope combo to be sure he only removed the root and nothing else.

There were lots of special equip used. As I had an infection , I had to make a couple of trips because that needed to be cleared up. It wasn't terrible , a bit lengthy in terms of appt time which I'm not a fan of . But all in all, it was no worse than any other dental treatment so don't worry.

I have I was pleasantly surprised I really didn't feel it. I had a lovely south African dentist in Essex and he said wave your hand if you feel anything and I will top up the anaesthetic. It was fine. I had a crown. The painful bit was paying. Good luck with yours.