Dentists soon. Root canal?

[Dentist hater]

I am supposed to have a root canal on the tooth that did have an inlay on it, that i mentioned on my other posts, am scared about this procedure, a filling i can endure but this type of procedure is only going to make me very nervous. Also i have the other tooth to deal with, the one i mentioned as having to have it pulled, i know he will say he wants to extract it but thats not what i want.

1) Does the root canal mean i have to have all sorts of equipment in my throut. (i heard of a rubber dam covering my throut or my airway) and that sounds really frighteneing.

2) Will be in the same pain when i have had the root canal done as i did when i had an infection there after the procedure?

3) Regarding the other tooth, if i tell the dentists my real feelings about the tooth, do you think he will understand and try to look at it and see if there is a possibility of doing something with it befre taking it.

The appointment was brought forward a week because they rang me saying they needed to change them, Just need some support am scared of everything thats gonna go on with my teeth at the moment.

 

[Gordon]

1) Yes and no, rubber dam is pretty great stuff at keeping things out of your mouth and throat, a lot of people on here have had it and really like it.

2) No. Not much point in doing the endo if that's the case! It seems to be a staple "joke" in US "comedy" programs about how painful endo is, I can't honestly see what the big deal is, and I've had 2 endos done!

3) Well he certainly should take your feelings into account, if he doesn't, do you really want him treating you at all?

 

[Dentist hater]

Thanks Gordon, well you are a dentist and have had two root canals done so i will take your advice in. The rubber dam scaredme because i thought my breathing would be disturbed or something.

 

[lorelie]

Rubber Dam is just a sheet of rubber that sits over your mouth, a hole is punched in it, and the tooth that is being worked on pokes through. It doesn't seal the mouth at all so you can still breathe normally.
It is usually put on during dental procedures, especially root canal work so that saliva does not contaminate the root canals during the procedure, and also so that you don't get bits floating around in your mouth. It's actually quite comfortable once its on.

Here is a link with more information:

The Dental Dam

Why do dentists use rubber dams? Can you breathe with a dental dam on? What can you do if you feel claustrophobic? Find out here!

www.dentalfearcentral.org

As for the pain part, you will have been given a local anaesthetic, the same as for a filling, so if you are ok having a filling, it should be no different for root canal work.
I agree with Gordon, the whole thing about root canal work being painful is a mystery to me!

 

[Dentist hater]

Thanks Lorelie that clarrifies the rubber dam thing, i though it went inside your mouth, silly me, lol

 

[ScaredMama]

I had a root canal and if the dentist used a rubber dam (whatever that is), I didn't know it. My root canal was actually no worse than a filling, just took longer than a filling. I was surprised. (pleasently)