Burning kind of pain

[Gordon]

I did it and survived!

You wee star, well done I'm very proud of you for being so brave.

A little bit of knowledge of what's going to be happening is really helpful I think, fear of the unknown is the scariest thing (for me at least).

Would you fancy posting up in the success stories bit of the forum to give some other folks a bit of encouragement too?

PS Crowns are much easier to get done than root canals You won't even need local anaesthetic for this one now.

 

[Kitty84]

Thanks Gordon that means a lot! I feel so relieved it’s out of the way now, and feel like a grown up for getting on with it - adulting win!

Also means that I now know that knowing what’s going to happen, and maybe seeing some of the things that might be used is what helps me which is a good thing to know for future

Thanks a million for all your help - and ooh yes I could do that in success stories xx

 

[Gordon]

Thanks a million for all your help - and ooh yes I could do that in success stories xx

You're very welcome and thanks in advance for doing that

 

[AG1981]

@Gordon Hi - I hope it's ok jumping in on this post - I have a massive fear of the dental dam/bite block situation and I'm potentially going to need a root canal on a cracked bottom molar. Can you physically swallow when you have the dam and the bite block? This is what's freaking me out, I know I won't feel anything and there will be suction but not being able to swallow sends me into panic. I can potentially go to a different dentist for sedation but I'm just wondering how bad it is.

It's been great reading that you managed to get through it all @Kitty84 - I can completely empathise with how you felt, I bet you feel amazing now it's all done!

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Kitty84]

I could swallow

 

[AG1981]

@Kitty84 Really?? Fully & properly? God, it sounds like such a stupid problem to be worried about - would you mind if I messaged you? Not even sure if that's possible on here, but I've been in complete meltdown about this for so long.

 

[Kitty84]

Hiya, I don’t mind chatting on the answers, but PM’s make me a bit anxious (it’s a me thing). I could swallow but it felt a bit different, but it wasn’t too bothersome for me. I have a really easily triggered gag reflex and that was fine too. It felt a bit awkward at first but it was ok for me. Try swallowing with your mouth open - that was what it was like. I’m sure others have more useful things to say, I guess I was worrying about other things as I didn’t really notice this being difficult. Maybe that’s a good thing!

Hope you are ok and sending lots of positive vibes your way x

 

[AG1981]

@Kitty84 Of course! Thank you for being so honest. I have a bad gag reflex too, especially at the back of my mouth, which is of course the tooth that needs work.

Do you think it was more the bite block (how big are they?) or the dam that made it more difficult. I don't know if it's just worth paying extra for the sedation, but then, I can't really do that every time I need something done (which I hope is never again).

It's the only thing I can focus on, which means it's likely to be an issue when I get in the chair. Plus I have TMJ because of all the issues with my teeth (long story) and it's such a long appointment.

 

[Vaidile]

Hi @AG1981, I've also recently had a root canal with a dental dam (though no bite block) and I concur that I had no trouble swallowing. Can you swallow with your mouth open (I know not all people can)? If so, you'll likely have no problem.

For some reason I didn't have as much of an urge to swallow as when I have work done without the dam, though. Probably because there were no additional liquids in my mouth.

 

[AG1981]

@Vaidile Hi, that's so good to hear, thank you. All the dentists have said a bite block needs to be used, but none of them have ever actually shown me one & so I think the worst.

I can kind of swallow with my mouth open yes, but it does close a tiny but, which is where the bite block issue comes in because I can't picture how big it will be (if at all).

How did you find the root canal, were you nervous beforehand?

 

[Vaidile]

I've had root canals before so I wasn't as nervous as before a completely new procedure, but it'd been a while. I was mostly afraid that the tooth would be hard to numb because it was hurting when I went in. Had no issues, though, a couple shots and the process was entirely painless. All in all, it was boring and completely noneventful.

Mine is not done yet; there was active infection, so after cleaning it out the dentist left it for a week to settle. The tooth was sensitive for a day afterwards, but calmed down quickly. The dentist said next time no numbing will be needed at all because there are no more nerves (but she promised to still give me some if I wished, which I will!)

 

[AG1981]

@Vaidile I've never had more than a filling before (aside of wisdom teeth removals!) but I had to have a back molar removed due to the impacted wisdom tooth damaging it below the gum & was planning on getting an implant done. But the dentist has cracked the tooth next to it during the extraction, so now I'm not even thinking about the implant because the cracked tooth hurts, my bite is completely out of line & I've started grinding my teeth at night. I think a top tooth has a chip or a crack now too. It's been 6 weeks of misery & I've just worked myself up into a massive panic about this flipping root canal that hasn't actually been confirmed but I think it's likely.

Do they have to the whole dental dam thing again when you go back? It amazes me how some people just cope with dentistry and others would rather birth a human with no pain relief! (I'm def the latter).

 

[Vaidile]

Do they have to the whole dental dam thing again when you go back?

Probably; but I can honestly say I didn't mind it. It made me feel safer from random bits falling or harsh chemicals getting into my mouth, I didn't have to worry about what my tongue was doing, and it gave me a kind of distance from the proceedings - like it was just the one tooth worked on, not my whole mouth. At first I was unsure whether I could tolerate it, but I really grew to appreciate it. You might, too!

I would rather do a root canal than extraction any day. I'm now looking for an oral surgeon because I'm in need for some and am already freaking out a bit. So you're definitely not alone in getting worked up about things.

 

[AG1981]

@Vaidile Extraction is mental but over so fast (aside of the healing obviously) but honestly, I've had 2 wisdom teeth and one molar removed and you don't feel anything but pressure. The worst part for me was biting on the gauze at the end. Good old gag reflex kicking in again. Good luck with the extractions, I really think you'll be ok - if you can do a root canal and not panic, you're hardcore. Thank you so much for your messages - I'm going to try and keep repeating them to myself!

 

[Vaidile]

I've had extractions before, but none of them were very quick (my teeth apparently are very reluctant to leave my mouth) and I hated every single second, that pressure was so intense and scary! Triggered my vasovagal response, too. So in my mind, anything who's okay with those is hardcore You'll handle your root canal just fine!

 

[Kitty84]

@Gordon I got the crown too! I was still really scared it was going to hurt - even though logic tells me that there was no nerve I found it really hard. But I did it!

 

[Gordon]

Congratulations. You're a star!