Root Canal

[crd08]

I know this thread has probably been made a billion times, but I need a root canal very soon. I have BAD BAD dentist anxiety. I'm not afraid of the needles, not afraid it might hurt, etc. I watched a youtube video on a live root canal and seems pretty quick and my dentist promised me it's way easier than what he has done to me (Bad teeth genetics = HOURS in a dental chair being tortured lol). The procedure itself didn't bother me & I know the procedure wont make me sick.
But just watching the video made me gag multiple times. Because of the dental dam they were using. I can't do dental dams or anything like that. I have had 4 hours of work done just holding my mouth open on my own. The dental dams cause me such great anxiety. I feel like I can't swallow and when I am anxious I swallow hard and a lot, and of course I will be anxious. And it's weird but I correlate having my mouth open like that with getting sick. Like my body will be like "oh okay she wants to throw up" lol Like if you stare at a toilet when you're n* it can sometimes bring it on for people when they are sick. (Sorry if that triggered anything) When I get anxious I am very tight lipped and i keep my jaw clenched and tightly shut, so having my mouth forced open like that..not good. I also feel like I am choking on my own saliva with those things.
I'm afraid I am going to make a fool of myself when I go. My personal dentist is used to it. We have a system, he knows me, and I trust him fully. He wont do a root canal though, so I have to see a specialist and I honestly feel bad FOR HER. I am a terrible patient. My mom told me I just need to grow up when I expressed concern...and I guess I do. She said to do what I want, let my teeth "rot out" since I don't care. I was kinda upset because even "normal" people have dental anxiety especially with things like root canals. And obviously I care or I wouldn't be so diligent with my teeth and have all this crap done. So I was hoping to get some support here.
I know to breathe in through your nose to help not gag, but i can't seem to focus on it. Is there anything else I can do too? any tips from those who have had them? I don't even know which tooth needs it honestly, but I have a bad feeling it's a far back tooth, top of my mouth..so not easily accessed :/

[andee]

OK, I can try to help because my brother in law is a dentist. First, did you go see the specialist yet? You should DEFINITELY tell her all your concerns, esp about the dam. They have seen it all, believe me. And I will bet she will give you some ativan or xanax or similar to take before your appt, sometimes even the night before and then right before (someone will need to drive you home though). There are many ways to work around it and you will feel much better and so will she when she is aware of your fears. There are tons of people who fear or just hate the dentist, and they want it to be as easy and comfortable for you as possible (it makes their job easier too!!). Good luck and keep us posted.

[gumdropper1]

I have had several root canals and never felt like throwing up or worried that it might happen. The only time I was anxious was when they were fitting the crown and I was worried that I would swallow it and they would want me to puke it back up!

[thecheesecake17]

If you have it on one of your back teeth, I'd say that's when you should maybe mention your concerns but if its at the front or middle you'll be absolutely fine. So maybe call up and see if you can know... I'm not gonna lie, I went to the dentist for the first time in four years just three weeks ago and my gosh, its horrible isn't it ! Everything you described happened to me, the multiple swallows, the chokey swallows and well, the mouth x-ray was a real close shave. I literally felt like I was gonna gag all over the two people calming me down... It got so bad that they refused to do it as I kept slapping the dentists hand away. I just couldn't help it! My mom is also very much apalled at me and says "get over this thing cos you won't get anywhere in life".... So bad!

When is your appointment?
They should definitely tell you which tooth it is! I think you'll be fine cos of 'emet willpower' just remember you're not sick and it will be over and done with before you know it. Good luck.

[crd08]

I am going to tell her about my concerns, I figure that's my best bet. I haven't seen her yet, so I don't have any information other than I just know I need one. They will have to give me a whole bottle of xanax I think haha
I'm known for slapping away dentist and nurses hands too. I basically punched a nurse once for trying to use a tongue compressor on me lol It was awful haha And I have bent my dentists needles/equipment with my tongue trying to force him out of my mouth and I have bit him many times on accident lol Thankfully, he's family and doesn't hold it against me. I make him work for his money that's for sure.

[reevagee]

i have had way too many root canals. i have the SAME problem w the swallowing. its like a nervous habit when i have anxiety and i actually LOVE going to the dentist but the not being able to swallow really bothers me. def take something before u go like a xanax. it will help keep u calm. if u take enough u may even just sleep right through. lol. sometimes if i feel embarrassed ill tell the dentist ahead of time that i have had an itch in my throat so if i tap during the procedure it means i have to clear my throat. then hell stop a sec and i can clear my throat a little and swallow and its a huge comfort. i hope that helps u! good luck!

[crd08]

i have had way too many root canals. i have the SAME problem w the swallowing. its like a nervous habit when i have anxiety and i actually LOVE going to the dentist but the not being able to swallow really bothers me. def take something before u go like a xanax. it will help keep u calm. if u take enough u may even just sleep right through. lol. sometimes if i feel embarrassed ill tell the dentist ahead of time that i have had an itch in my throat so if i tap during the procedure it means i have to clear my throat. then hell stop a sec and i can clear my throat a little and swallow and its a huge comfort. i hope that helps u! good luck!

Glad i'm not alone on the swallowing thing! haha I am going to be honest with her. So far I have only spoken on the phone and they asked if I required medication and I laughed and said "Yeah, unless she likes a challenge" haha My regular dentist is great about working with me. I think a lot of my anxiety is I'm worried the specialist wont be. How long do they on average take? I have read sometimes they cant be done in one setting? I am also worried about missing work/school.

[andee]

You could also have your regular dentist talk to this specialist. He could let her know how you are and underscore your concerns. Let us know...

[crd08]

The place I was going with could not get me in till May 5th. However, I am in pain (not bad but annoying) and really want it over with. I called back and asked how they were planning on doing it and if they offered sedation. They did not. I called around and found a place even closer to me that can get me in next Wed. and they specialize in sedation dentistry. I will be getting sedated for the procedure, so hopefully that will help. I do feel a lot better about it knowing I will have something to help me.
Now I am a little worried about sedation but I know I will be fine. I have been sedated a few times with no issues.
My dentist now thinks I may need more than one, so if I do, this will make it much easier.
Wish me luck!

[andee]

Good luck!!! I think that will be much better for you, and you should be fine with the sedation. Just take your time when you wake up, eat and drink very lightly, and if you can, try not to take any narcotics for pain. Just ibuprofen, if possible. Keep us posted.

[rrosedawsonn]

I have zero to contribute to this conversation other than I know your pain with the dams! Ive had to have so many of them with my teeth work. I usually refuse to swallow unless it gets too far down my throat. They either see Im drowing in my spit and will suck it up or theyll let it leak out.. sorry so gross but I rather have it on me than try to swallow with my mouth wide open! Its painful and so difficult to do. Also the angle when swallowing doest help. Im usually a sweaty stiff as a board mess the whole time

[crd08]

So the place I thought could do my root canal and sedate me couldn't. After 30 mins of trying to get xrays they realize its the back tooth (which i told them) and they don't do root canals on molars. They send me to a specialist who does sedate. I go in, after 45 mins of trying to get xrays he sees that TWO need it. One in the back (which i knew) and one up front (which my cousin thought might need it). He suggested IV sedation since it was going to take 3 hours to do both and since my anxiety level is so high. The earliest he could get me in was almost May. So I scheduled it and hoped my antibiotics would kick in. I was having AWFUL jaw pain. None of my teeth hurt, just my jaw. I can't remeber the last time I got a nights sleep :/ Then from the two trips of xrays I broke out in a cold sore where my mouth opens and about 10 canker sores all along the inside of my mouth and under my tongue. So I have that lovely pain now! Finally my jaw stopped hurting yesterday, but now my actual back molar is killing me. It feels spongy..it's so gross! I can't close my mouth or chew because it hurts my tooth too much. I have taken so much ibuprofen that my stomach hurts and I probably won't have a liver lol Plus, I only have two more penicillin left.
I called my cousin today and asked if he could just pull it. I was so desperate and the thought of waiting a month was NOT possible. He said he wasn't pulling it but that he would take care of it. So now he's calling in a favor and getting me in with a personal friend of his. He said hopefully this friday or next monday. He basically said it had to be done and be done now and that they should have known my looking at it that I could not wait a month.

I'm pretty worried because he doesn't IV sedate, only does oral sedation mixed with happy gas. Hopefully it's not just a tiny xanax, as I already take that and it does nothing for me at the dentist. lol

I'm only getting the back molar done right now as the other one can wait the month and it's right up front. Really anxious and worried it'll be a waste of my anxiety and money (if the root canal goes bad and i loose the tooth anyway) Trying to trust my cousins judgement though lol He's calling in something stronger for the pain but I probably won't take it lol Hopefully I am getting it done for real this time!

[emmalinda]

Can't be bothered to read through all the comments and people have probably helped you and offered you good advice but if you're still feeling anxious and unsure about this dental treatment or any other future dental treatment, feel free to talk to me. I've been a dental assistant for 8 years and worked in clinics for anxious people and all kinds of practices as well as with an Endodontist (specialist in root canal). Good luck with it, most times it's never as bad as you think it's going to be

[andee]

I think that sedation will be enough for you....especially if they know about your anxiety. Good luck with everything...best to get it done sooner than later. You will do great!!

[crd08]

Thanks, I'm getting it done monday morning. All they could give me is a pill of Halcion (triazolam). Idk if it'll be strong enough, but I guess we will find out. I take xanax now for the dentist and it doesn't seem to help lol IV sedation is what the other place was going to do, but I had to wait over a month for that.
He gave me stuff for the pain, but of course I won't take it lol.

[crd08]

I was goon to post this in another thread but I didn't want to be annoying. I had my root canal today at 8 am and we were done by 845!! My previous Endodontist said it would take 1hr and 45 mins at least to do the far back molar! He was so quick and it was totally painless! He numbed me two or three times but they weren't like regular needles that are big and bulky in your mouth. Didn't even feel them. I was extremely worried about the dental dam and the mouth bite but it was totally fine. I couldn't even tell that he was in the far back of my mouth. I was on some extra Xanax pills but I didn't feel a extreme effect since I do have some of a tolerance to it. It helped but honestly I think I could have done it without it. My advice, ask questions, find someone you trust (and a specialist). It's really nothing like what people make it out to be. I have one more to do and I'm not even worried about it

[tdunham21]

I have to go to the dentist tomorrow due to a tooth ache. i think it might be infected, but i haven't been to the dentist in a few years due to a bad experience last time. I really struggled with the cleaning last time because of the swallowing, the suction thing and all the water in my mouth. I got really n* from swallowing to much blood i think so im terrified to go but i know i need to before it gets worse. need advice ad support

[crd08]

I have to go to the dentist tomorrow due to a tooth ache. i think it might be infected, but i haven't been to the dentist in a few years due to a bad experience last time. I really struggled with the cleaning last time because of the swallowing, the suction thing and all the water in my mouth. I got really n* from swallowing to much blood i think so im terrified to go but i know i need to before it gets worse. need advice ad support

you really do need to go! I go regularly and this still happens :/ But the pain I had from the infection and abscess was AWFUL. No amount of ibuprofen would take it away. My biggest struggle is that swallowing too. But they use the suction, so really, you shouldn't be swallowing much blood at all. It takes a lot to make you physically sick. Talk to your dentist about your concerns. They have given me valium before having cavities and stuff done, but now I just take xanax as it works better for me. You could just need a cavity filled, but the longer you wait...the deeper it goes, which is when root canals can be needed.
I have terrible dental anxiety (shaking, panic attacks, crying, gagging) but it's a mind over matter thing. Make sure you like your dentist, that's really important! I cant use the dental blocks and so for regular cavity work/crowns/etc my dentist just lets me hold my mouth open on my own. I am free to swallow when I need to and can just raise my hand. Communication is key