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Friday, September 11th, 2009
Dentophobia

I have a fear of dentists. It's no big secret. In fact, I put off going to the dentist for six years and got to spend my spring break getting my cavities filled. The dentist told me then I had a close call with a cavity in the back of my mouth and just missed getting a root canal.

Well, funny story...the root canal has caught up with me.

I'm at home today with a toothache. It's been bugging me all week, but yesterday the pain was unbearable. I could hardly open my mouth to speak. I called the dentist, and he figured it's some sort of infection related to my cavity. I'm feeling slightly better today thanks to some antibiotics and some pain relievers.

Anyone have any positive experiences with a root canal?

Tags: cavities, the dentist

6 Comments

1) I was cursed with a terrible set of teeth. They think maybe I was allergic to my braces. Anyway, I've had several root canals. Honestly, I've never had a bad time with any of them. They numb everything entirely and it doesn't feel much different than getting a filling. And in the end the major pain is all gone. They are more of a relief than anything.

Snelly Friday, September 11, 2009

2) I only had one bad experience (just had my 14th root canal, inherited crappy teeth from my dad). The problem was that I let the tooth get so diseased (no dental insurance) that by the time I took care of it, they couldn't get me numb. I had 13 shots of novacaine to no avail. (this was months of me ignoring it, not weeks).

I've had a few done where the pain gets to be ridiculous and like Snelly said, it's a relief to get it done. Like the shot of novacaine actually feels good.

Jules Friday, September 11, 2009

3) good luck! i haven't ever even had a cavity, but the dentist isn't what i enjoy either.
our dentist has plasmas in every office that helped!

Moore Crazies Friday, September 11, 2009

4) All my molars have root canals. Its what leads up to it that is bad. The hardest part is keeping your mouth open so long. The pain is the before not during. A little laughing gas and you will be fine. Where have you been? We missed hearing from you.

dannie Friday, September 11, 2009

5) I agree with Dannie here...I ignored a cavity for too long, as well, thus leading to my first and only (so far) root canal. I had it done by Dr. Maurer in Springfield vs. an oral surgeon because she uses Nitrous Oxide. And though my jaws did hurt from holding my mouth open so long, the gas TOTALLY helped me since I cannot have regular Novocaine due to my heart condition.

Good luck and if you're really stressed about it, have them RX you some Ativan or something.

Angi Friday, September 11, 2009

6) Thanks for the encouragement!! I'll just get novocaine, as I have to go to class after the appointments, but I'm hoping between that and my anxiety meds, I'll be good to go.

Everyone I've spoken to who's had one has said they aren't as bad as most people suggest. So...hopefully it won't be awful.

Sarah S. Sunday, September 13, 2009