Question:
I had a root canal a couple of months ago. It really wasn't a big deal at
all. Other than taking longer, it was no worse than a filling.
Answer:
ok, this doesn't have to do with migraines but i have to have a root canal
next week and the thought of having it done, is enough to give me a
migraine!! anyone have this done? is it as painless as the dentists say or
painful as real people say?????? i figure with enough drugs and alcohol
before the procedure, i should be ok. haha.
I'm not fond of dentistry at all, but have had two root canals, and they
weren't bad. My doc was so gentle my jaw wasn't even sore from all that
yawning.
Before I realized I was killing my teeth by clenching, I had 3 of these
done. The first was VERY painful but then, I had cracked my tooth.
In addition, the endodontist I went to see saw "has dental fears" on
my chart and rushed through it. I had a panic attack while having it done
(which triggered a migraine). The procedure also took 2 visits but
the second one wasn't as difficult as the first (and I left pain free).
My dentist spoke to him about his "chair side manner" and he
was much better for the second and third root canals.
The other 2 were much less painful, also. I'm not sure if that was
because I didn't have a panic attack or not :-) All were multiday
events (3rd molars take longer). The first 1 took 2 visits, the
second one took 3, and the 3rd one took 2. This didn't include
the crown (done by my regular dentist) which was totally pain
free (as were most of the things he did to me).
As I understand it, most people don't find root canals painful so
much as scary and uncomfortable. If you are light sensitive, they
might trigger a migraine (my son has had this problem just going
to a dentist). It can also bother people to have their mouths
opened for long periods of time. All my first appts were over
an hour. I did have REAL pain when my first was done but, again,
I had cracked the tooth (it was an emergency root canal). In
addition, my mind magnified this a bit (panic attacks tend to do
that :-)
I've had several, and if your dentist is *any* good at all the only thing that
hurts is the shot. I've never had any pain with a root canal. Pain before,
yes.
I agree with all....the ONLY thing I dislike about root canals is that DAM
(no, not the swear word!!thing plastic thing they put in your mouth to surround
the tooth being worked on.) that they use...it makes me feel a little
"chokey." I sorta have to talk to myself so I don't get upset..
All root canals take at least 2 visits..plus the crown visits,,which take
2 more...and talk about expensive!!
I'm the only patient my dentist has had that managed to fall asleep in the
middle of a root canal (probably with my customary loud snoring). Its not that
I find it relaxing, more I get nervous and then try to mentally calm myself.
Generally, when the dentist is doing the operation you won't feel much (I get
twinges every so often), but you will feel some pain after the novacain wheres
off later. I generally find Tylenol helps, but I did get the stronger stuff
when I had 3 wisdom teeth removed. Don't expect to be able to talk without
slurring your words or drink on the side of the mouth where the work was until
the novacain wears off either. Another pain that occurs with the dentist is
keeping your mouth open that long.
I find that migraines have given me a new view on pain. When I broke my arm 2
years ago, it took some time for it to sink in that I should get it looked at
(well that and my wife insisting I go to the doctor). At its worst, the pain
from the break was only a 5 or so. On the migraine scale, the worst the pain
at the dentist was maybe a 1-2.
