Teeth...

[Angelica 0]

Anyone had root canal work done ? Does it hurt ? How long does it take ? any other info would be appreciated

Kim

[JenT 0]

Yes... the only part of mine that hurt was the stupid injection they give you so it doesn't hurt.

Time depends on the tooth and the root... I think I was in the chair for 20 minutes-ish.

Once it's out, if feels wierd, but there's no pain. No root, no nerves, no pain. Just a little soreness.

Jen

[moondancer627 0]

I have had 3 or 4 root canals, I can't remember. I went to a specialist called Southern Az Endodonics, expensive, but at least they knew what they were doing. Lots of weird sensatations while the process was going on, but most definately better than the pain. I know I had wait for a day and 1/2 before I could get the referal from my dentist the first time and drank lots of whiskey, actually rubbed it on the gum every 2 minutes.

Good Luck,

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

Kim,

Strange you should ask. I just had one today, took about 20 minutes-ish. My tooth is still a bit sore after the anethestic wore off but it's better than it was. And I have Lortab for if it hurts too much. I have to go back in a few days for them to finish it off completely. Then I'll have to go back for a crown.

But I think it was worht having. If you're in pain, I'd say get down there to your dentist.

[Angelica 0]

Phew !! I'm feeling a bit better about this 20 mins is do-able lol....Thanks everyone

Kim

[samantha_lou 0]

I've never had RCT, but I do know (and work with) an Endodontist...and I've watched him perform the procedure a couple times. They have a far worse reputation than is deserved, the procedure is *usually* no more "uncomfortable" than having a filling done. Although, you will be in the chair slightly longer. My Endo usually takes between an hour and hour and a half, depending on whether its an anterior (front) or molar tooth...molars tend to have larger roots and canals, so can take a little longer.

Usually the relief for the tooth is fairly immediate, and most teeth can go on to live a full and happy life post RCT - just make sure you and regular dentist know what the long term plan is, i.e. is the tooth going to be crowned after the root canal?

Good luck!

Edited September 26, 2006 by samantha_lou

[danae 0]

Im half way through a disastrous one. My tooth was infected, and causing me ALOT of pain. So he performed an emergency root canal. Took about an hour to remove the nerves,then he fitted a temporary crown- I was to take the antibiotics and have it finished once the infection was clear. Well 5 days later I was back in with severe gum pain- I was allergic to the crown! So he removed that. A few days later I went in to have the posts fitted. 4 days later I was back in to have them removed! - the tooth was STILL infected and the posts were inflamming in. *sigh* So the saga continues.....

But if your tooth isnt infected Im sure youll be fine!

[JenT 0]

Definitely felt more comfortable after I left the endodontist and the crown did not require any anesthesia. Piece of cake!

Jen

Im half way through a disastrous one. My tooth was infected, and causing me ALOT of pain. So he performed an emergency root canal. Took about an hour to remove the nerves,then he fitted a temporary crown- I was to take the antibiotics and have it finished once the infection was clear. Well 5 days later I was back in with severe gum pain- I was allergic to the crown! So he removed that. A few days later I went in to have the posts fitted. 4 days later I was back in to have them removed! - the tooth was STILL infected and the posts were inflamming in. *sigh* So the saga continues.....

But if your tooth isnt infected Im sure youll be fine!

There's always one in the crowd...

[William33 110]

Setting aside the procedure pain for a moment, what does a root canal and crown cost?

If not covered by insurance, that could be more painful!!!

Any insight?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I had a crappy dentist turn a filling into a root canal here in NY. The root canal from a different dentist was a huge relief because it relieved so much pain.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

What bothered me the most was the vibration that goes through your entire skull when they drill through the bones. It doesn't really hurt but it's a very odd feeling...

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

My root canal cost $158 and with my insurance I can get some of that back (I had a $50 deductable). The build up (patching up the filling they drilled through to get it) and crown will cost about $317. Again, I'm going to be able to claim some of that back from my insurance company (I think about half of it).

I think it's quite a bit more expensive if you don't have insurance. I was offered an extraction of the tooth for $78 if I decided I didn't want the root canal, or couldn't afford to pay for a root canal.

But I'm sure there must be places that will do it a little cheaper than most if you don't have insurance. If it's the case that someone had to have the procedure I'm sure people on VJ might be able to suggest a few places that might do it cheaper.

[JanaknJanet 0]

Aughh the saga of the ROOT CANAL..

Ive had a few. 4 in total.. (Im a grinder) wear down my teeth too much..

anyhow.. Normally I would really prefer to do a RC over any form of dental work.. .. once it is done.. wala.. no pain.. yeah..

'Then there was theeeee RC...(from HELL) ..

went to a new dentist.. (didnt have insurance anylonger starving student at the time haha ) had to find one i could afford.. aughhh. first mistake..

He did the root canal.. and ohh lucky me.. he proclaimed ohh nooooo... damn... .. .. I have learned in my med school training while I was interning.. those are not words to speak aloud..

breathe.. ohhh ok... lets see what is happening.. the dentist swings his chair around.. mumbling... i cannot say a thing got that dang dam in my mouth. haha.. he comes back . and slowly begins to tell me.. ohhhh.. you are the lucky one today... the drill that clears the canal broke off. .. yes shirlock.. broke off.. in my canal.. .. he then proceeded to tell me he will try and get it.. sooo.. he sat there.. numbed me more... worked on the canal some more... played.. squirted water sucked with suction.. ohhh yessss he mumbled.. almost... .

the broken file/drill thing floated to the top.. ohhhhhh sheitttttt... he said.. dammm .. oopsss sorry .. have to tell you it just went into the other hole that he drilled... soo he proceeded to work more.. . and guess what... ONCE AGAIN.. another frekin drill/file broke... .. now let me tell you it is all of what the size of a small tip of a toothpick.. tiny part.. but hey.. it is preventing him from continuing on with the proceedure.. ..

He steps out.. comes back and tells me.. he has to stop. packed my tooth.. and told me that a "specialist is waiting for me.. .. to go to his office to have him see if he can get it out... WHAT>????

sooo I get in my car.. drive 15+ miles .. across the other side of town... in traffice.. ie 430pm.. .. to find a office of some dentist i have never met... just so he can try and get these dang drills out of my tooth.... hmmm..

I am brought in seated.. more xrays... .. and this endodondist tells me.. im sorry I cannot get it.. you have two choices.... one .. surgery.. or two.. to be sent up to the dental school.. and get them to try.. ?

Not going to do surgery.. helllooooo....

SO i accept the second option.... get the tooth packed .. temporary etc.. given drugs for pain.. and sent on my way... .. cannot get in for 2 weeks for the appointment to the dental school even with the emergency referal... .. finally got there... phew... thought I had some hope.... they did ultrasound.. tried. lil magnets things bla bla bal.. after all said and done.. .. the chief endodontist specialist of the school said.. lets just seal it up where it is... if it starts to give you trouble. then. only option is surgery.. but if it isnt causing trouble... then.. fine.. dont do it..

after a total of like 6 visits.. to the specialist.. we finally got the tooth sealed.. crowned.. etc...

Want to know what is sooo wrong about all of this..??? I still had to pay for it all... specialist and all.. even thou the sob was the one that broke the file in my root canal.. .. .. .. 1300 later.. aughhhh.. i still have a chance that one day I may get a pain in my jaw... and off for surgery .?/? sucks...

Normally I say .. heck yeah.. root canal... I think that still if given the choice. I would do again... .. but I would be choosey.. very choosey.. and make sure that the person doing the procedure was a specialist in this treatment... these specialist are called endodontists. no one other than them would ever again perform this ... ... but hey.. I think Im good to go .. and teeth are good.. soooo fingers crossed.. ..

[moondancer627 0]

Setting aside the procedure pain for a moment, what does a root canal and crown cost?

If not covered by insurance, that could be more painful!!!

Any insight?

Root canals in Tucson, especially at the specialist are pricey. Mine was $750 and that happened 3 times.

That was with insurance which covered 1/2. The crowns x3 were about $800 too which was 1/2 covered by insurance.

Some people drive down to Nogales, Sonora Mexico and go to dentists there.