# Arghh.... I need a root canal! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 28, 2007, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950 "2007-04-28T12:28:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/1 "2007-04-28T12:28:56Z")
Never had one before… please, convince me that it won’t be that bad. I do have a bottle of Vicodin to enjoy for the week prior, though. The only other time I had surgery (got fixed in order to fix the family at a total of 5), I was offered a sedative just to mellow out the procedure. Do you think that is an option this time? I googled root canal and read up a little but I think I’d rather stay away from the clinical descriptions in favor of your real world experiences. TIA ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/2 "2007-04-28T12:33:32Z")
[QUOTE=What the … !!!] I googled root canal and read up a little but I think I’d rather stay away from the clinical descriptions in favor of your real world experiences. TIA [/QUOTE] My dad and son have both had recent root canals. They said it was a cakewalk. The new technology is just soooo much better than it was back in the days when the horror stories were created. However, if I were you, I’d save the vicodin until after the procedure. You just might need it and if you don’t, a nice vicodin buzz is in your future. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/3 "2007-04-28T12:44:41Z")
Dude, dude, dude, dude! I just had my first root canal on Thursday, and it was NOTHING! Either people are huge whiny babies, or \*\*Kalhoun \*\*is right and they’ve totally changed things. I was so freaked out, because I’ve never had even so much as a \*filling \*before - that’s right, I had a root canal before a filling. AND I had an abscess, which I read online can make the novocaine/lidocaine not work, so I was extra freaked out. But it was, I repeat, nothing. The worst part was literally and honestly the x-rays. I hate how those bitewings dig into my jaw - they tear up the bottom of my mouth. But the root canal? A couple of twinges that felt like slight aches. Not even as bad as a sunburn, and over in seconds. And the novocaine worked fine, despite the abscess. He even put some down into the root through the top of the tooth for extra effect. The oogiest part was smelling burnt tooth when they drilled, but if you’ve had a filling, you’ve already done that. I did take a heckuvalot of ibuprofen about an hour beforehand, and a bit of Tylenol (Tylenol makes ibuprofen work better), and all day afterwards I kept taking those two to ward off pain, but I didn’t feel a thing. Yesterday (one day after), I took nothing for the pain and I’m so fine I can’t even tell you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist, 'cause this is a larger dose than usually recommended, but when pain is severe, I take 3 ibuprofen every 4 hours and 1 extra-strength Tylenol every 6. Write down the schedule or you’ll get mixed up. This is what they had me on the week after my c-section, and it worked wonderfully. Seriously, there’s absolutely nothing to the procedure. I’m honestly shocked they prescribed Vicodin (unless you have it through other sources.) ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/4 "2007-04-28T12:45:52Z")
I just had one last Tuesday. The dentist spent more time telling me what could go wrong with a root canal than doing the actual operation. It only took a couple of minutes, and when he was done it was perfect. There was no pain or discomfort. His assistant put on a temporary crown, and I went home. When the lidocaine wore off, there was still no pain. No vicodin this time. If you’re hurting now, take the vicodin. I’m reasonably certain that after the operation, you won’t have any pain there anymore, and won’t need it. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/5 "2007-04-28T13:16:25Z")
I’ve had five root canals - only one was bad and that was because I wasn’t completely numb before they started grinding away at the tooth. All the others have been simple - no real pain before or after, just soreness that an OTC painkiller took care of. And not much of that - I was at work the next day. My first root canal felt so much better afterward (the only one that had an abscess), that the root canal was a relief. I ate raw carrots that night as part of dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/6 "2007-04-28T13:20:59Z")
A coworker told me before my root canal that she has been through root canal and child birth, and she would choose the latter. I was freaked out. For no reason. There was no pain at all, before or after. Not being macho, there was simply no pain. The hardest part is keeping your mouth wide open for that long! ---
**Author:** ![carterba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85e7bf/32.png) [@carterba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carterba)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/7 "2007-04-28T13:45:25Z")
I had one a year or so ago. Went to class right after. It was completely painless. In my experience, basic dental checkups are more painful than a root canal. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/8 "2007-04-28T21:19:22Z")
I have had two. One was a horrible experience because there was sepsis and inflammation (which prevents the local from working properly) and I was so wired with nerves I think my adrenaline buzzed through what was left in no time. I also am redhaired which typically means 20% more painkiller is needed. Long story short, the local wore off before it was halfway done. They had to give me more shots in the middle of the procedure which hurt like a mofo for some reason. Apparently my screams of pain/outrage alarmed the other patients. The second one was a breeze (same endodontist); I got nitrous oxide to settle my nerves, and they gave me 5 shots of novocaine spaced out at 10 minute intervals. 🙂 Other than being uncomfortable because the tooth was way in the back of my jaw, it was pretty ok. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/9 "2007-04-28T21:21:57Z")
I’ve had 5, and I am due for a 6th. No sweat. I’d rather get a root canal than sit through a bad faculty meeting. My guy has a very light touch, listens to what I tell him, and works fast. I’ve never needed the painkillers for after. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/10 "2007-04-28T21:42:35Z")
I didn’t have any pain at all. I took Advil when the novocaine wore off but that was it. Don’t ever take aspirin or pain medication \*\* before \*\* you have dental work done. Actually any medication you take before you go to a dentist, tell them about it. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/11 "2007-04-29T06:46:32Z")
I’ve had several. There’s always a small amount of pain/discomfort getting the anesthetic shot, but it’s really not bad and it’s over quickly. As for the rest of the procedure, I never had any pain or discomfort during or after. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/12 "2007-04-29T07:08:11Z")
[QUOTE=Gary T] I’ve had several. There’s always a small amount of pain/discomfort getting the anesthetic shot… [/QUOTE] I hope there aren’t any dentists left who stick the needle in your gum with no preparation! The two dentists and the endodontist I’ve gone to most recently dip a cotton swab in a gel that tastes a bit like toothpaste and a bit like Orajel, and apply it to the area of your gum. It freezes the surface enough that all you’d feel when the needle goes in is a bit of pressure, but no sensation of being stuck with a needle. It’s _loads_ better than the old way. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/13 "2007-04-29T10:12:42Z")
I’ve had several, both in the US and Thailand, including one just last month. If your dentist is any good at all, there shouldn’t be any pain during the procedure. Might ache a bit afterward but not all that much. Check out [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=414227&highlight=root+canal) for more info. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/14 "2007-04-29T16:19:53Z")
[QUOTE=Caridwen] Don’t ever take aspirin or pain medication \*\* before \*\* you have dental work done. Actually any medication you take before you go to a dentist, tell them about it. [/QUOTE] Actually, most dentists prescribe NSAIDS such as naproxen and ibuprofen to be taken before procedures to lessen the swelling. -foxy ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/15 "2007-04-29T16:39:29Z")
I had my first root canal ten years ago and it was horrible, mostly because it takes a while for me to get numb and the miserable bitch of an endodontist wasn’t willing to wait because, and I quote, “I don’t have all day lady, time is money”. I’ve had a few more since (at Gentle Dental of all places, I highly recommend them), and they were a breeze, albeit a horrifyingly expensive breeze. Seriously, the sticker shock (especially if you haven’t gotten a quote yet for the post and crown) is worse than the pain. The procedure itself is occasionally uncomfortable, but not really painful, and if your tooth is already hurting badly enough that they gave you Vicodin pre-procedure, then you’ve got nowhere to go but up. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/16 "2007-04-29T16:55:42Z")
[QUOTE=ladyfoxfyre] Actually, most dentists prescribe NSAIDS such as naproxen and ibuprofen to be taken before procedures to lessen the swelling. -foxy [/QUOTE] I said don’t take aspirin. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/17 "2007-04-29T17:04:14Z")
[QUOTE=DianaG] Seriously, the sticker shock (especially if you haven’t gotten a quote yet for the post and crown) is worse than the pain. [/QUOTE] My long-time dentist in Bangkok is first-rate. Depending on which tooth it is, a root canal runs 4000-6000 baht. At the current exchange rate of 35 baht to the US dollar, that’s about US$114 to US$171. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/18 "2007-04-29T17:09:57Z")
[QUOTE=Caridwen] I said don’t take aspirin. [/QUOTE] You said aspirin OR pain medication, I think was the point. While I agree it’s best to check with your dentist, mine was certainly amenable to my taking ibuprofen (an NSAID) and Tylenol beforehand. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/19 "2007-04-29T17:13:05Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] My long-time dentist in Bangkok is first-rate. Depending on which tooth it is, a root canal runs 4000-6000 baht. At the current exchange rate of 35 baht to the US dollar, that’s about US$114 to US$171. [/QUOTE] My last root canal with post and crown cost around $1800 out of pocket, and I have dental insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950/20 "2007-04-29T17:16:12Z")
Ok WhyNot. Aspirin or pain medication that contains aspirin. Whatever it is, check with the Dr or Dentist beforehand. My husband is an oral surgeon. He’s had people that have come in that have practically overdosed on aspirin because of pain and it can cause problems. I’ll learn one of these days to say out of these threads. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arghh-i-need-a-root-canal/401950.md?page=2)