Fezmid Posted March 1, 2005 Author Posted March 1, 2005 I had one 20 years ago and I had two about two years ago. It was like night and day. Years ago it was a multi-visit ordeal and they removed the roots with an object that was like a metal straw. There was a reason for all the jokes about it. Now, it is all in one sitting, they take x-rays every 5 minutes to make sure they are not missing anything. I've had more painful trips to the regular dentist. One note- sometimes after a root canal your tooth gets very brittle. There is a chance it cold crack after the proceedure. Ask your doc about it. I personally like to go with a filling for a while and then the cap. Although if I remember right the cap can take about 10 times the biting pressure a filling can. So there is a little risk either way. Again ask the doc. BTW, it was a good decision on the flex spending. It makes the wallet hit a little less painfull. 257542[/snapback] Metal straw? *cringe* Sounds scary... She definately said that as soon as the root canal is done to come back and schedule a crown prep with them. She said that she's seen people put it off and crack their tooth off in a few months after the root canal. I'll be there, definately... CW
Rico Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 Well, just got back from having a couple of fillings done. Was supposed to be no problem, but apparantly one of the teeth had more decay than they saw on the XRay and I'll now need a root canal Everyone at the dentist's office kept saying that it's no big deal, but I've heard a lot of horror stories throughout my life about them so I'm not sure what to believe... Needless to say I'm extremely scared about it. To make matters worse, there's no appointments available until March 8th, although I'm going to try to get in on an emergency basis sometime this week. To make matters even MORE worse, she said that it may hurt because the pulpl was exposed while she was drilling and I need to take a bunch of ibuprofin and if that doesn't help to get something stronger from them. This sucks. Didn't hurt at all until I went to the dentist (although it was something I know I needed to have done - the fillings, not the root canal). Moral of the story - don't do like I did and avoid the dentist due to fear. You have to face it sometime and waiting just makes things worse. *sigh* CW 257478[/snapback] I had a root canal done about 10 years ago, it was no big deal.The hardest part was having to keep your jaw wide open for so long during the procedure... really no tooth nerve pain what-so-ever.
Greybeard Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 Metal straw? *cringe* Sounds scary... 257560[/snapback] To be fair they didn't really show you what they were doing until they were done. Must be the same as not showing you the needle with the novacaine. When I had the two of them done, after the first one, I was willing to get the second one done the same day, just to save me a trip. The guy wouldn't do it but it shows it is really no big deal anymore.
SilverNRed Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 Well, just got back from having a couple of fillings done. Was supposed to be no problem, but apparantly one of the teeth had more decay than they saw on the XRay and I'll now need a root canal Everyone at the dentist's office kept saying that it's no big deal, but I've heard a lot of horror stories throughout my life about them so I'm not sure what to believe... Needless to say I'm extremely scared about it. To make matters worse, there's no appointments available until March 8th, although I'm going to try to get in on an emergency basis sometime this week. To make matters even MORE worse, she said that it may hurt because the pulpl was exposed while she was drilling and I need to take a bunch of ibuprofin and if that doesn't help to get something stronger from them. This sucks. Didn't hurt at all until I went to the dentist (although it was something I know I needed to have done - the fillings, not the root canal). Moral of the story - don't do like I did and avoid the dentist due to fear. You have to face it sometime and waiting just makes things worse. *sigh* CW 257478[/snapback] You'll be fine. I had a root canal back in 2002 and it was so painless I went straight to work and worked a full shift right after it was over with. I didn't feel a thing.
TigerJ Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 I've had a number of root canals done. No big deal. The first was about 18 years ago. I have to admit that was uncomfortable. The problem was the oral surgeon weighed about 500 lbs or more and had hands like hams. I think he tried to put both of them in my mouth at once. On a serious note, a root canal proceedure kills the nerve to the tooth, if it's not dead already. That means your tooth will turn brittle. I have lost two teeth to breakage within a few years after root canals. It's kind of frustrating paying big money for a root canal AND a crown only to end up losing the tooth after four or five years.
Fezmid Posted March 1, 2005 Author Posted March 1, 2005 On a serious note, a root canal proceedure kills the nerve to the tooth, if it's not dead already. That means your tooth will turn brittle. I have lost two teeth to breakage within a few years after root canals. It's kind of frustrating paying big money for a root canal AND a crown only to end up losing the tooth after four or five years. 257594[/snapback] Ok, don't want to get freaked out further, but what happens if it breaks? Can they insert a false tooth or something? How does that work? CW
Alaska Darin Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 How does that work? CW 257620[/snapback] They put you down.
IDBillzFan Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 They put you down. 257624[/snapback] It's not pretty. But at least it's quick.
Fezmid Posted March 1, 2005 Author Posted March 1, 2005 It's not pretty. But at least it's quick. 257629[/snapback] That works for me. I better finish everything I want to do in the next week or so, just in case... CW
Alaska Darin Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 That works for me. I better finish everything I want to do in the next week or so, just in case... CW 257641[/snapback] Make sure you spell my name correctly in the will. Thanks!
IDBillzFan Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 That works for me. I better finish everything I want to do in the next week or so, just in case... CW 257641[/snapback] Seriously, it depends on which tooth is having the problem. If it's in the back and the thing comes out, they probably won't recommend you replace it unless you want to. That would entail one of two options. Option 1: They have a bridge made, and shave the adjacent tooth to a nub, and then glue the bridge over the nub. Solid as a rock for about 10 years and the only downside is that brief moment when they're done grinding the adjacent tooth, and you run your tongue over it. Option 2: Implant. They insert a thing metal bolt inside your gum, and have a fake tooth with a screw in it, and it literally screws and gets cemented permanently. Most popular way to do it...but insurance won't cover it.
Tux of Borg Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 I heard they were growing human teeth on the back of mice. Maybe CW can get in on that deal.
Fezmid Posted March 1, 2005 Author Posted March 1, 2005 Most popular way to do it...but insurance won't cover it. Considering my insurance is a joke anyway (only pays $1,000/year and I pay roughly $120/year to the insurance company for that insurance!), that's not a big deal, depending on the cost of the procedure itself. Neither solution sounds great though... One step at a time though - I first need to get the root canal and then see what happens after that. Thanks. CW
bleedinblue Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 I've had 3, not much different than a filling, no big deal.
Mark VI Posted March 1, 2005 Posted March 1, 2005 I've had 2 and it's a non-issue. They stick you in a chair and then Jab a long needle into your gums. After the screaming subsides, they start digging. Then you start screaming again. When they're done, they put on a temp. crown. 2 weeks later, you return for your permanent crown. Nut up and take it like a man.
Fezmid Posted March 1, 2005 Author Posted March 1, 2005 I've had 2 and it's a non-issue. They stick you in a chair and then Jab a long needle into your gums. After the screaming subsides, they start digging. Then you start screaming again. When they're done, they put on a temp. crown. 2 weeks later, you return for your permanent crown. Nut up and take it like a man. 257695[/snapback] At least they wait for the screaming to subside... CW
Surfmeister Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 I have had a few root canals. No big deal as long as you can't feel what they are doing during and after the appointment. The big deal is proper pain management. Tell them on a scale of 1 - 10 your pain is an 8! Don't be a hero. Heroes get baby asprin. Percocet is good stuff to kill dental pain. Percodan has caffiene in it that may keep you awake once the pain med wears off. That is no fun when you need to sleep. For that reason, I prefer Percocet. 10 mg is the adult size pill. If they give you the 5 mg size just take more. Percocet and its narcotic brothers and sisters cause constipation. To beat that go to the health food store and get lots of golden flax seed. Mix it with apple sauce or whatever and eat a cup or two a day. It doesn't taste bad at all. Its just crunchy. You won't have the constipation problem and your pain will be managed. Oh and if you get crowns, get the ones that look like real teeth. Good luck !!
spidey Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 Considering my insurance is a joke anyway (only pays $1,000/year and I pay roughly $120/year to the insurance company for that insurance!), that's not a big deal, depending on the cost of the procedure itself. Neither solution sounds great though... One step at a time though - I first need to get the root canal and then see what happens after that. Thanks. CW 257664[/snapback] I have dental ins but they only pay usual and customary, so they claim some dude in my area will do a crwon for 200$ and root canal for 300 so they only will pay that amount . My view is I dont want the guy who only gets 200 for a crown I will pay for better services. Sometimes dentist will charge what they can and ins will just cover some amount and than dentist will wave difference since they will take most they can get from insurance company as long as its reasonable. Flex spending definite best since its pretax but folks should be carefull with the one that allows rollovers since anything taken out is taxed as income versus the annual programs thats are use it or lose it.
TigerJ Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 Ok, don't want to get freaked out further, but what happens if it breaks? Can they insert a false tooth or something? How does that work? CW 257620[/snapback] I had a molar that needed a root canal about 5 years ago, more or less. After a couple years, when the tooth broke off of the root, the dentist put a couple titanium rods in the root and inserted a crown over that. It came out several times and he had to glue it back in, Then a couple months ago, when it came out again, he told me the root broke. I had the root extracted at the end of January. If it was a tooth I really needed for cosmetic reasons or other reasons, I could have a dental implant or a bridge. It wasn't a critical loss, so after $700 I'll live with the empty space. Fortunately, insurance paid for 80% of the cost, but I'm still a bit miffed that after all that expense and effort to save a tooth I've got nothing.
billsfanone Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 My neighbor, or ex-neighbor, died from a routine root canal. Just kidding!!!
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