I'm getting a root canal, how badly will it hurt?!
Question: I'm getting a root canal, how badly will it hurt.?
I'm extremely nervous and am getting one in about 30 minutes. Do they hurt and how bad.? Thank youHealth Question & Answer
Answers:
Actually, you should feel a LOT better after the root canal. The innermost layer of your tooth, called the pulp, has died in that tooth and the resulting infection and decayed tissue is causing the pain and infection. (Pulp is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and various fibrous stuff so it's very much alive until there is a problem.) There may be some pain or sensitivity afterwards as there might be for any dental procedure, but it shouldn't last too long and you will probably love how it feels once it all heals up. After all, you're fixing and saving this tooth and people often find great relief after a root canal. Here's what to expect:
--You'll get local anesthetic to numb the area. There is very little drilling involved in a root canal, so you shouldn't feel ANYTHING. If anything is uncomfortable, don't be afraid to tell the dentist, who will gladly give you more anesthetic. Don't just lie there in pain! Some people metabolize novacaine quickly, so also let them know if it's starting to wear off.
--They may place a rubber dam over that tooth to isolate it. They do that by putting a metal clamp over the tooth to hold the dam down, then stretching the dam over the tooth. It may take a few minutes to get used to the rubber near your mouth, but it will be a lot better for you because you won't swallow anything that's being used for the procedure and the tooth stays nice and dry for the dentist.
--The dentist will use a handpiece (drill) to get access to the inside of the tooth. You will hear and feel drilling for this part, but it usually only takes a few minutes.
--The dentist will then begin the main part of the root canal therapy, which is to find the canals and begin to clean and shape them. For most of this, he or she will use something called "files", either held in the fingers or put on a very slow handpiece. They will look like long wires, but you won't feel them at all. They are used to clean all the dead tissue out of the canals and shape them so the walls are smooth and can receive the fake pulp better. This is the most important part of the root canal, so it may take some time and patience on both your parts. It takes a lot of poking around to find the canals and make sure they're smoothed.
--The dentist may use an "apex locater." You may get a metal hook draped over your lip, which doesn't hurt at all (it just rests on your lip.) The dentist then places a file in the tooth which is connected to a machine, and the machine can actually tell if the dentist has reached the tip of the root yet. It's actually a really interesting device! ask plenty of questions if you're curious.
--The dentist will fill the canals with fake pulp, called "gutta percha." It may be heated or put in a solvent to soften it to go in the tooth, then it will be inserted. It may take a few steps to pack it in because it's really important to make a good seal.
--The dentist will place a temporary filling on top of the tooth and you're done! The tooth may need to be crowned later.
Remember, you have the right to ask questions, express your concerns, and discuss everything with the dentist. Good luck!Health Question & Answer
--You'll get local anesthetic to numb the area. There is very little drilling involved in a root canal, so you shouldn't feel ANYTHING. If anything is uncomfortable, don't be afraid to tell the dentist, who will gladly give you more anesthetic. Don't just lie there in pain! Some people metabolize novacaine quickly, so also let them know if it's starting to wear off.
--They may place a rubber dam over that tooth to isolate it. They do that by putting a metal clamp over the tooth to hold the dam down, then stretching the dam over the tooth. It may take a few minutes to get used to the rubber near your mouth, but it will be a lot better for you because you won't swallow anything that's being used for the procedure and the tooth stays nice and dry for the dentist.
--The dentist will use a handpiece (drill) to get access to the inside of the tooth. You will hear and feel drilling for this part, but it usually only takes a few minutes.
--The dentist will then begin the main part of the root canal therapy, which is to find the canals and begin to clean and shape them. For most of this, he or she will use something called "files", either held in the fingers or put on a very slow handpiece. They will look like long wires, but you won't feel them at all. They are used to clean all the dead tissue out of the canals and shape them so the walls are smooth and can receive the fake pulp better. This is the most important part of the root canal, so it may take some time and patience on both your parts. It takes a lot of poking around to find the canals and make sure they're smoothed.
--The dentist may use an "apex locater." You may get a metal hook draped over your lip, which doesn't hurt at all (it just rests on your lip.) The dentist then places a file in the tooth which is connected to a machine, and the machine can actually tell if the dentist has reached the tip of the root yet. It's actually a really interesting device! ask plenty of questions if you're curious.
--The dentist will fill the canals with fake pulp, called "gutta percha." It may be heated or put in a solvent to soften it to go in the tooth, then it will be inserted. It may take a few steps to pack it in because it's really important to make a good seal.
--The dentist will place a temporary filling on top of the tooth and you're done! The tooth may need to be crowned later.
Remember, you have the right to ask questions, express your concerns, and discuss everything with the dentist. Good luck!Health Question & Answer
Well I got one done yesterday for the first time ever and I was very nervous but the medication they give you before they start will take care of you feeling anything thing....
You will feel pressure thou.Health Question & Answer
You will feel pressure thou.Health Question & Answer
That is correct. They numb the area like for a cavity and you don't feel it. And when it's all done, the pain is gone. Health Question & Answer
Mine didn't hurt.Health Question & Answer
No...you;ll have sedation and freezing...good luck...Health Question & Answer
It won't hurt at all!Health Question & Answer
it hurts after but not too muchHealth Question & Answer