I have to get 3 root canals done in one day, not sure what to expect?

[implants14273]

I'm literally losing sleep over this. I've had EXTENSIVE dental work done over the past few years and this will be the last chunk of it, but I have to get 3 root canals done in one appointment on 3 of my 4 bottom capped front teeth (I could be wrong, but I believe they're teeth #25,26,27?)

I had a root canal done on my 4th bottom tooth about 4 years ago and can't remember having any issues from it at all, but I'm still terrified. I'm not afraid pain, drills, shots or needles, I'm actually phobic of gagging therefore I hate having too many fingers/instruments around my mouth as well as keeping my mouth open for an extended amount of time. I'm also worried about the dental dam, I hate things that obstruct my mouth.

I feel like throwing up just thinking about this procedure.

I haven't met the endo yet, but he has almost all 5 star reviews online. He's apparently very patient, precise, and understanding, but I'm still so nervous. My appointment is at 8:45 AM, which makes matters even worse

I didn't even know it was possible to do three root canals in one sitting.

I would love any advice on what to expect or how to cope. I'm counting down the days to this procedure in the worst way possible, I'm absolutely dreading it. I don't have any anti-anxiety meds (they calm my body slightly but not my mind) and I'm not opting for conscious sedation, I save that for the big stuff (like multiple extractions or implants).

Thanks in advance

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Implants14273,

Wow. 3 in one sitting.. that is alot of work.. is this something they preferred to schedule it this way? Anyway you could break it down into a few appts ? or at least agree to see how it goes and potentially stop after one or two based on how you are doing? I'm curious how long they scheduled you for? Even with my kind , fun dentist I don't know I would even want to schedule 3 root canals in one day. You would be very brave for trying this..

 

[implants14273]

Implants14273,

Wow. 3 in one sitting.. that is alot of work.. is this something they preferred to schedule it this way? Anyway you could break it down into a few appts ? or at least agree to see how it goes and potentially stop after one or two based on how you are doing? I'm curious how long they scheduled you for? Even with my kind , fun dentist I don't know I would even want to schedule 3 root canals in one day. You would be very brave for trying this..

Well I'm leaving to go back to college at the end of August so we're kind of in a crunch time-wise, but I don't know why it was preferred to do 3 in one setting. My general dentist was just like "yeah, the endo could definitely just get all 3 done in 1 sitting". I have no idea how long they scheduled me for, they didn't say. Not looking forward to it :/

 

[MountainMama]

Wow, that is a lot, but honestly, I think I would rather just get it all done at once, especially if your fear is the mouth obstruction. One appointment vs having it done several times might be easier. I recently had a root canal and opted for the conscious sedation, as the whole process freaked me out.

Good luck! I hope it goes well for you.

 

[Enarete]

Hi there,

well, generally you can do any amount of dental work in one sitting, the only thing that plays a role is the comfort of you and your dental team. If you had a root canal treatment on three molars, then it could be pretty challenging, but in the case of front bottom teeth I wouldn't worry too much as they are much quicker than molars, which might be the reason why your dentist chose to do so. The anesthetic might play here a role too because the teeth get numbed all together, so instead of having to get numbed three times on three separate visits, you only get numbed once and all of the teeth are happy.

What is more important is, that you are the boss in your treatment so if you would like to do only one tooth at a time or just would like to know what to expect and how long it will take, talk to your dentist and get everything you need to feel safe and ready. You should always be able to decide what gets done and under what terms.

All the best wishes and let us know how you are doing.

 

[robg128]

I had 4 done in one day. Three on one side of my mouth and the 4th on the other side.
I cheated and went with halcion to relax me. I might have even dosed off a bit during the process.

The next coupe days my mouth was pretty sore, but at least all 4 were done.
Good luck!!

 

[implants14273]

Wow, that is a lot, but honestly, I think I would rather just get it all done at once, especially if your fear is the mouth obstruction. One appointment vs having it done several times might be easier. I recently had a root canal and opted for the conscious sedation, as the whole process freaked me out.

Good luck! I hope it goes well for you.

Thank you! It went wonderfully. I'm so surprised I did it with no sedation no nothing. I got all 3 done and while uncomfortable it was honestly a piece of cake.

 

[implants14273]

Hi there,

well, generally you can do any amount of dental work in one sitting, the only thing that plays a role is the comfort of you and your dental team. If you had a root canal treatment on three molars, then it could be pretty challenging, but in the case of front bottom teeth I wouldn't worry too much as they are much quicker than molars, which might be the reason why your dentist chose to do so. The anesthetic might play here a role too because the teeth get numbed all together, so instead of having to get numbed three times on three separate visits, you only get numbed once and all of the teeth are happy.

What is more important is, that you are the boss in your treatment so if you would like to do only one tooth at a time or just would like to know what to expect and how long it will take, talk to your dentist and get everything you need to feel safe and ready. You should always be able to decide what gets done and under what terms.

All the best wishes and let us know how you are doing.

Thank you! We did all 3 and although I was uncomfortable and a bit nervous it went great

 

[krlovesherkids777]

This is awesome,, so glad for you!!

 

[implants14273]

I had 4 done in one day. Three on one side of my mouth and the 4th on the other side.
I cheated and went with halcion to relax me. I might have even dosed off a bit during the process.

The next coupe days my mouth was pretty sore, but at least all 4 were done.
Good luck!!

Thank you!! All 3 are done and I'm feeling great so far, hoping for no pain! Towards the end of the third one I closed my eyes a bit so I see how you could've dozed a bit, especially with halcion haha!

 

[MountainMama]

I am so glad it went well!

 

[kellieo]

ive gotten 4 done at one time on my top front- ish teeth. My dentist was able to do those. Tomorrow I gotta get 3 in the top- right back done in one day as well. Honestly it’s not bad at lol your numb. I just came here to see if anyone else did this and knew how long it took when I got 4 in one day, I was there for about 6 hours but I’m going to an entirely different dentist for these ones and molars are more work/ take longer and have more to them and like everyone else on here said , it’s better to knock them out in one appt vs splitting it up . Just think about having to get you numb alone , if your already there and numbed up then might as well do it all then rather hwn coming back multiple times and stuff and honestly it wasn’t bad at all being there that long when it comes to like the pain aspect of it bc I can tell you I had no pain whatsoever . But I just started to get ansy and wanting to just be done towards the end (plus I’m also a cigarette smoker too so I really wanted a cigarette lol and had to wait the entire day to have one so that too lol) didn’t do any breaks or anything just pushed through .

And for anyone who comes here bc they are scared and worried about it hurting, DO NOT BE AFRAID. You will NOT feel anything at all like someone else said, im pretty sure I fell asleep during mine as well. I constantly fall asleep at the dentist the only pain involved is the tiny pinch you feel from getting numbed up and that’s it