OT - Anyone had a root canal done before?

Meeeeeeeeee and it seems we might have the same tooth.

That happened to me a few years back and I ended up getting treatment, which then had to get re-done and i still havent got my tooth back, just a big silver metal one is there at the moment.

what do you want to know about it? I had about 5 appts in total! currently the 2 wisdoms on my left hand side are rotten and need removing and i dont even have a dentist!! I am not looking forward to wisdom removal.

I too am a dentist phobe and have had root canal treatment. It isn't nice.

That said, there are few pains worse than teeth related ones, and keeping a tooth is probably better than erring to have it out.

Hmm, what to do.

Peter, how long did your root canal take?

I've had it done a few times and whilst the procedure can last about an hour (different in all cases) if it means saving the tooth it is worth it. I had a massive infection and root treatment initially didn't work and the fact I ended up having a fourth canal (very unusual) so the treatment was more difficult but now my tooth is absolutely fine.

I HATE dentists but I am at the place every other month because I have such weak teeth so getting used to it now.

teehee I had my wisdom tooth out and was terrified but believe me it was such an easy procedure. I had considered being knocked out to get it out because I was so scared but in the end the pain was so bad it got taken out on a Sunday as an emergency. I didn't even know the tooth was out because it happened so quickly.

Yup, me twice - once at the front and the last tooth at the back at the top. It is a bit of a long drawn out job but it saves your tooth and they do dose you up good and proper so you can't feel anything when they do it. It's worth it to save your tooth - even if it's third from the back, you will notice the difference chewing. Don't leave it too long because the pain does get worse and don't mean to frighten you but the pain before I had it done was excrutiating - I cried like a baby in the waiting room the pain was so bad before I went in. But as soon as he gave me the injection, the pain had gone.

If you have an absess which sounds likely there is NO pain worse, so although a root canal is painful (no point saying it's not) it is over fairly quickly. I had one removed before xmas while I had an absess and although I have had one out before with no problem. This one hurt like hell for a week and took 3 weeks to feel ok. I wish I had had it root filled again as it had already been done once. If you don't have something done with it, it will come back.

I was meant to years ago but didnt turn up ? - however it was a private dentist and touch wood i have had no problems from that tooth or any NHS dentist since mention that i needed work on the said tooth.

I had to have three fillings in one side of my mouth recently after getting an abcess and am with everyone who says there is NO pain worse - so bite the bullet and go before you do get saddled with anymore pain/sleepless nights.

good luck x

I have had it done it couple of times and can say it was no worse than a normal filling. I felt no pain whatsoever. Maybe it depends on your dentist and how he anaesthetises it. Choose root canal treatment over an extraction anyday, it is always better to have a full set of teeth. If you do feel it hurting ask the dentist for some more anaesthetic.

Not much to add that hasn't already been said but just to say in my opinion the pain of the toothache and the pain of paying for the treatment (unless you're lucky enough to have an NHS dentist!) are both MUCH worse than the actual root canal treatment!