First Dentist Appointment in Over 5 Years. Need Root Canal

[Coconut]

Today I finally went to the dentist after 5+ years. The reason I havent been going for so long is because I had horrible/very painful experiences as a child. Earlier this month, a piece of an old filling broke off on my lower right molar. This scared me so much that I could no longer put off going to the dentist. I KNEW it would only get worse so I looked online for a new dentist and found one that had amazing reviews.

I went in today for an xray and I met my dentist. BEST MAN ON THE PLANET! He is unbelievably understanding, caring, kind and calm. He really made me feel MUCH better. After going through the xrays, he told me I needed 2 small fillings to be done, and UNFORTUNATELY... a ROOT CANAL on the broken molar. The moment I heard those 2 words I couldnt breathe properly, I started sweating and I felt like I was about to throw up. He showed me a little cartoon on his IPAD describing what the procedure was and he promised me over and over again that it would be 100% painless and that if I felt even the slightest bit of discomfort he would stop and numb be more (which my old dentist NEVER did. He just told me to deal with it).

I told him I would prefer it with IV Sedation but he told me I could do it if I wanted, but it costs $500 and it would be completely unnecessary for RCT. He said I better save it for my Wisdom Teeth extractions later on (all 4 impacted btw so im TERRIFIED about that as well) . He perscribed me ATIVAN. He said I needed to take one pill before the RCT (which I have yet to set an appointment for). I was wondering does anyone have any experiences with ATIVAN? Whats it like? Does it work (calm me down)?

Anyways sorry for the long rant but I needed to get it off my chest. Tomorrow I have a cleaning at 8:30 in the morning. I am not TOO worried about that. I just need people to comfort me about the RCT and share their experiences, as well as with the Wisdom Teeth as well.

Thanks

 

[norwegianchick]

Hi!

Your dentist sounds awesome, just the type I like!

I've had RTC done on a few teeth that were very painful and inflamed, but my endodontist (root canal specialist) had no problems anesthetizing me, and at most I only felt some slight discomfort. It was no problem topping up the anesthetic, which she did as soon as I told her that I needed it. If you're not in pain now, I doubt you'll feel anything at all when he works on you.

You get to wear a rubber dam, which is a thin sheet of rubber that isolates the tooth being treated from the rest of your mouth. What's good to know is that if you're feeling at all uncomfortable in it, the dentist can easily move it aside so it becomes easier for you to talk. I found that I could relax in it: I had a very good excuse for not saying anything. Also, it gave me some privacy within my own mouth, as all the treatment happened on the other side of the dam.

It really sounds like your dentist is very understanding and easy to communicate with, he'll make sure you feel nothing during the RCT procedure, and that you are completely comfortable. If you still feel that you'd rather have the IV sedation, then insist on it, but it sounds like your dentist can make you comfortable without it, so you should be OK either way.

Good luck!

 

[brit]

I think you are in good hands - your previous dentist was a sadist. Info on root canals here - take it from me with the right dentist they are not stressful at all...even with just local anaesthetic - some people find themselves nodding off in fact

My root canal experience

Do you want to find out what root canal treatment really feels like? Get a blow-by-blow account (and no, it's not scary)!

www.dentalfearcentral.org

 

[Coconut]

Thank you for replying. Its always nice to hear comforting comments

My appointment is scheduled for June 16 . I cannot wait to get this over with and I really hope its as painless as everyone says RCTs are. I am just glad that my tooth is not in any pain at all which, I guess, would make it easier to numb.

 

[brit]

The way around this fear is to make a bargain with yourself that if for some obscure reason you are not having a comfortable experience, you call a halt and rethink (e.g. sedation on another day, an endodontist instead or whatever). There is no need to approach this with the attitude that you have to stay and put up with whatever comes your way, you do not, you are in control, you decide what you are willing to let happen and how.

It will be fine I'm sure but it's nice to have these 'Plan B's'.

 

[Coconut]

AAAHH! The day is almost here... My root canal is on Thursday the 16th.. My anxiety REALLY started to kick in now . I have a few questions though:

1) My tooth does not hurt by itself at all, only when I bite down hard on it. Is this good or bad? I heard lots of people already have pain in their teeth thats why a root canal is needed?

2) I am DEATHLY afraid of not being numb enough.. what can I do about this?

3) As I mentioned in my first post, the dentist perscribed me Ativan. I have to take one ativan (LORAZEPAM) (1mg) sublingual an hour before the procedure.. What can I expect with Ativan? Will it calm me down (I am SO freaked out right now that I feel sick ... imagine Thursday ). I hear people getting 2-3mg of Ativan and I am scared if 1mg is not enough.. Should I take two tablets or stick to dentist's orders?

4) IF I somehow manage to survive my RCT, I have to get a crown.. IS THIS GONNA HURT? What happens when getting a crown?

 

[brit]

1. Good
2. Tell your dentist this is what you fear so he can give you a extra large dose. Ask for a top-up if you feel pain which I doubt you will - agree a stop signal at beginning although not essential they all know a raised hand means stop
3.Stick with what they said or speak to them to ask if you can take more, have never used so no personal experience.
4.No. I have always waited a few months after rct before getting a crown but I know in USA they like to do it sooner sometimes.

 

[Coconut]

Thank you for always replying to my thread brit!
I will ask my dentist for more injections because I am afraid of not getting numb.