I haven't been to the dentist in years... When I turned 19, I was dropped from my dad's insurance and just never felt like paying for a visit out of pocket... Well, I've been on my husband's insurance for about 2.5 years now and I just finally made myself a dentist appointment... I'm scared though because I KNOW I'm going to have at least one root canal done. I've had fillings before and they didn't bother me but I've heard that root canals hurt really bad.

If any of you have ever had a root canal, can you please share your experience here so I kind of know what to expect?

No... but root canals are apparently very nasty. Sorry... :grouch:

i have never had one before, dont plan on it, but i can tell you this, my relative had one once and said it was horrible, and painful, and nasty, hope it works out for you though ...

Root canals are NOT that bad. I dont know why they get such a bad hype. I had one on my left front tooth when I was around 13 or so, and I didnt even feel a thing. Really - its not anything to worry yourself over. I'd be worried about them telling me I had to get my wisdom teeth out! I haven't had that done, but I heard its horrible.

But how do you know for sure that you will need a root canal?

<offtopic>Like your siggy vtangyl! I love that show!</offtopic>

I had 4 of my front teeth pulled, didn't hurt one bit. The only part that hurt was when they jabbed a needle about 4 inches long into my cheek. Like I said, doesn't hurt much. Yah, root canals aren't bad. Hope you've been brushing your teeth! One year I had 11 cavities. :buckt:

I'd be worried about them telling me I had to get my wisdom teeth out! I haven't had that done, but I heard its horrible. some people say it's horrible, others didn't have a problem with it. my dentist said I may need mine out, but when he said that they weren't causing problems- yet. so I could get them out now to avoid any trouble, but I don't know if it would be bad or not. if it is going to be, I'd rather take my chances, and only get them out if I have to. no point in messing around in there now if they're going to be fine. my roommate had his wisdom teeth out over the summer, and he said he bled for about a whole day. after the fact he was told that if it bled for like half an hour after he should have called them, but he didn't know that it wasn't normal to bleed some :P

^Pretty much the same for me. Mine aren't impacted, they grew in straight. The dentist said as long as they weren't bothering me, I didnt have to get them out. The problem I have is that there is still gum tissue over them, even though they have completely grown in, so (sorry this is a little gross) food can get stuck under the gum and it hurts really badly. So I can either deal with that, or get them taken out. I'm too chicken to get them out!

I still have my wisdom teeth, and it's basically the same thing - I can keep them as long as they don't bother me. Meanwhile last time I went to the dentist he was like, "hmm... you still have your wisdom teeth..." where I quickly let him know that they're fine where they are.

Good luck Linsday with your dentist appointment, I'm sure it won't be that bad ;)

I am incredibly afraid of the dentist. =/ I've never had a root canal but my dad's had a couple and he says he hardly felt anything at all.

I'd be worried about them telling me I had to get my wisdom teeth out! I haven't had that done, but I heard its horrible.
I had my wisdoms taken out a few years ago, and it wasn't bad at all. Your mouth is just numb for a couple hours afterwards and it feels like your lips are taking up your whole face. :P

Never had a root canal though.

bah dentisits i hate them, i'm ment to have a root filling soon, i have no idea what that is but i hard of root canal before.

Never had a root canal, but I've had all 4 of my wisdom teeth out, when I was 14, they came in early, and the operation wasnt that bad, it was the gapping hole left in my gumes and jaw that we're bad, but if there had been something in those holes I dont imagin it would have been that bad...

your gonna feel latent soreness and whatnot, but wisdom teeth can take weeks to heal, but...granted they do give you good drugs

ok, I'm rambling, I've been up to long

bottom line, its your mouth, so we're all parinoid, just stay calm, and relax, think about puppies, enjoy the laughing gas, and this too shall pass

root canals aren't as bad as you think. The procedure is not the worst part, the after pain is moderate. It'll hurt, but not dreadfully. I know because my cousin got 2 root canals done in one day.

The problem I have is that there is still gum tissue over them, even though they have completely grown in

Uh... I thought that was normal :eek:

Why did I have to click this thread? *scared*

I'm sure you'll be fine :) , though I have never really had anything done to my teeth. Actually, I haven't been to a dentist for a few years and never in the US...the reason for this, I think, is that nobody bothers to set up an appointment...

But how do you know for sure that you will need a root canal?


Well, kids, when your parents say "Don't forget to floss!" make sure you listen! I never floss and now one of my teeth is rotting. At first it wasn't that bad, probably just a small cavity, but I kept putting it off and putting it off and now it's pretty bad. I won't go into detail.

Yes, root canals aren't that bad. It just seems like a really long time having to keep your mouth wide open. It doesn't hurt much. Mainly uncomfortable. But other than that, the pain wasn't all that horrible. Not too much to worry about.

I've only had a couple cavities, one root canal, and my wisdom teeth are growing in the back. They don't hurt, sometimes they are a little sore when they are getting bigger. I'll probably have to get those removed in a few years. Which I hear is painful. >.<

^Yah, one time they had to bring out a little thing that looked like pliers, but when you pump the handles the end gets bigger. They had to jack my mouth open :hehe:

Well, I went to the dentist today and I have 7 cavities, one of which they might have to do a root canal instead of a regular filling. I found out today that a root canal is pretty much like a cavity but they remove the nerve. I've had cavities filled before so I'm not stressing it anymore. I also found out that they want to take out my bottom wisdom teeth =/

HOORAY!! I got my teeth fixed yesterday! I know you guys probably don't care LOL! I've just had an embarassing smile for so long now and it feels good to be able to smile with no holes in my teeth! If you want to see before and after pics, http://labeled-b*tch.textamerica.com/

*you know the drill... replace the * with an i

Congrats! :D

I haven't been to the dentist in like 8 years, and 8 years ago was the only time I ever went to the dentist.

Ooh they look great! congrats! :D
I really regret not brushing my teeth for 3 months. At one point. when I was 9. Ergh I had white teeth now they're just normal! :(

I go to the dentist every 6 months, and I go to the orthodontist every month. This is what (http://community.webshots.com/album/180598192ulTmBc) I have been going through. :( ...there not very good pictures.

This is what (http://community.webshots.com/album/180598192ulTmBc) I have been going through.

Yikes! Looks painful!