I've had several, and survived. It does require a needle to numb you--in my my case more shots than normal because I'm hard to numb. But dentists know how to do it with minimal discomfort. So I would be more anxious about the cost and the time spent in the chair than the procedure itself. :-)

Never done it? Better off not to know. Patients can get gassed, but ungodly expensive. And need a driver. Think of it as a diet, your pocketbook will be lighter.

It's been so long since I had a root canal that I can't remember the process, etc. What I do remember is that I had to pay a huge amount, even though I had some dental insurance. The other thing that stands out is being in the dental chair for a very long time, but maybe they have quicker procedures now.

Shirley

I had my first one about 10 weeks ago~~I was a bit nervous about it, nothing to it. Do not stress about it ;)

I just had one last week. My first! I was worried about it but it was a breeze. I actually minded it less than fillings as there was less drilling. My biggest problem was boredom but my dentist put on a movie on Netflix for me. Only felt the initial needle poke and not a thing afterwards.

It's really good to have it taken care of now. It sounds similar to mine. It had felt a little off and sensitive but no pain for a while now, and then all of a sudden I was in excruciating pain. I have had kidney stones before and this was worse than those. My filling had been slowly leaking and caused a massive infection in my jaw that I didn't really feel until it was really far gone.

Two weeks of hell - not able to swallow even water without a lot of pain. The root canal and antibiotics have taken care of things but the dentist told me it will take 6 months to heal completely.

Hopefully this helps you feel better about getting it done because it can easily get much more serious and unpleasant. Sounds like your dentist is on top of it! Good luck!

Why does it take so long in the chair? I can see that I need to do some research.

Chi83, that awful pain is what I pray to avoid. I can't even imagine how terrible that must have been for you.

I have had two. Usually the get a throbbing pain. I'm not sure if I would agre to one without symptoms.

I think what Chai went through is not the norm.

Not gonna lie, it was pretty bad! But since you're doing it now before you're in pain, it shouldn't get as bad as mine did. I just wanted to give an example of what can happen if you don't take care of it at the earliest symptoms, which it sounds like you're doing.

As for the time - he drilled the tooth open and then used these small files to clean out the tooth. That took a little while. After each root was done, he would x-ray it to make sure it was all cleared out, and then he disinfected it and sealed it. This was done 3 times, with breaks in-between for me to rest my jaw. Then he had to make the crown and apply it. Maybe 3 hours total. Yours may be faster if you don't take the breaks and don't need the crown. My dentist also had other patients too so I'm sure that factored in.

Rhizo, relax, modern dentistry has made them easy, it's mostly the time involved thats inconvenient. Use the ladies room immediately before or when you arrive at your appointment ;)

It takes a while to get each of those roots cleaned out and filled if you are having a molar done. Just meditate, think about something else, it will go more quickly than you'd guess. I'd be surprised if you feel any discomfort at any point, no need for gas or something that affects your whole body, they've only working on a tooth.

A great and cost effective way to save a tooth, compared to losing it and finding a workable replacement. I've had two, neither of them within the last few years. This summer though I had two ancient fillings removed and those two teeth prepped for crowns, impressions taken for the crowns and temporaries affixed....it was a longer appointment than a root canal. And required two more shots because the teeth were not next to each other, they were immediately above and below.

You'll do great, the endodontist knows how to execute these flawlessly...don't waste your energy being anxious ;)

I've had 6 or 8...I can't remember. Just close your eyes during the procedure and it's done before you know it.

I've had two, no issues or pain during or afterwards, except for maybe a little soreness with the injection. You will be numbed up more than you would for a filling and possibly with a longer acting novacaine. Some endodontists will do a RT in two stages. The length of time in the chair depends on how many canals. Whenever I go to the dentist I bring my ipod, I like my own selection of music.

I have had about 6. Most recent one was last spring. Nothing to it. My endodontist was very entertaining. The time flew by. The most painful part will be to your wallet, even with dental insurance.

Chi, 3 hours would be easily twice as long as my experience with a root canal, it was more like 90 minutes. I left with a temporary and saw my own dentist later at my convenience for impressions and seating of the crown.

Morz, yes I think mine went long. But it did include the entire crown process, which was half of the time. They made it in the office while I waited and then attached it so I saved time over having to come in twice.

I'm glad to have all of the information, thanks so very much!

Ellendi, I am having symptoms.....they are just quite mild, thus far. My dentist, whom I trust implicitly, saw enough in the x-rays to warrant a consultation with the specialist.

I'd be very grateful if I can have this procedure done before the infection becomes so serious that I end up in considerable discomfort, having to take antibiotics and pain killers.

I think I had mine done in two appointments; I don't know whether that's easier or not. I never go to the dentist without earphones and music. It drowns out the sounds and sensations. For a long appointment, an audio book might be a good idea.

Well, there may not be an infection yet if he didn't indicate so (they show up on xrays usually), but an old filling is how mine started. I didn't mean to scare you into thinking that's what's going to happen to you. It's good that you're getting an extra consult though!

Just had one two weeks ago which wasn't my first. But this one was easier than the others (at least pain wise). I think it took about 2 hours. The reason it took so long is because they lost power in the building for about 30 minutes. I'm get terrible anxiety when I go to the dentist but he made it tolerable. He gave me some type of gas that made me a bit sleepy. They gave me oxygen to take me out of the sleepiness. I'll do that again when I have to sit in the chair for a long time.

You''ll be fine. Just please don't make the mistake I did-I waited too long to go back for the permanent crown and when I did go the tooth in the gum that the crown would be posted on was gone. Hello $4000.00 implant... Sigh...

I had one 8-10 years ago.....not nearly as bad as everyone makes them out to be. Minimal discomfort and soreness. I did not like my dr at all...referred by dentist....kind of rude, barely said two words. Walked into the room and did not even say hello....I finally said " well, good morning dr. How are you today?" He was embarrassed and rightfully so. He may be a great endo but I would never go back to him.

As far as I'm concerned, my dentist had BETTER have a great chairside manner! I mean, really! I'd be very tempted to tell such a health care professional that he or she needs go out and find a good personality somewhere, lol.

Someone you see regularly like a dentist, it's nice if there can at least be a pleasant relationship. But a specialist dealing with a one time issue...not so important to me as the skill.

My SIL was looking for a surgeon specializing in re-doing foot surgeries that hadn't turned out to have the best possible outcome. I asked my Seattle doctor for her, and was asked in turn....'does she need to feel warm and fuzzy about her doctor or does she want the best d*mn foot guy on the west coast'. I said best foot guy and was given a name with the warning he had no bedside manner at all, was abrupt and demanding of complete compliance to post surgical instructions he gave.

Worked out wonderfully, she came out of that surgery with not only flawless, pain free feet with old pins and screws removed - they are even pretty in sandals again. ;)

I've had several and its nothing to fear. There's some discomfort during the numbing process with the needle, but after it takes effect, you don't feel any pain.

It is a 2 step process. For the first session, the root of the tooth is cleaned out and a temporary plug installed. An impression may be taken if a restorative crown is needed. The dentist sent me home with a prescription for a narcotic pain killer in case I needed it. However, in my case, the area stayed numb for a couple of hours and after that, I did not need any more pain management.

In a week or two after the dentist is sure there is no infection in the tooth, he'll remove part of the temporary plug and install the permanent filling. If a crown is to be fitted, he may install a post on which to secure the crown.

In many cases, the second session can be done without numbing since there will be no nerves in the tooth.

The cost varies considerable depending on what is needed. The lowest cost is for a simple root canal and no work on the tooth, The next level up is if a crown has to be installed and the metal chosen for it (gold alloy is the most expensive). The 3rd cost level is when a ceramic crown (with post) is installed. I recently had this type since the entire top of my tooth broke off at the gum line.

I mentioned that it was a 2 step process, but it can be more if the bone socket is infected around the tooth. The dentist will take measures to insure the infection is cleared up before proceeding (after the first step). This can take 2 to 3 weeks and the tooth is opened each time, inspected, and packed with medicine until the infection is gone.

Thanks for the great information, everyone. Between you and my own research, I feel prepared.

I admit that it has been many years since I needed any numbing or any kind of dental work other than cleaning. I am always geekishly interested in medical technology so will be curious about the process.

If only I didn't have that baseless fear of needles in my mouth. I wonder if that goes back to my first 'real' dentist, Dr. Speicher. Pronounced SPIKER, ha! He didn't much like kids ; I remember getting shots with big needles and then he wouldn't wait for them to take effect before he started!

I agree with Morz8, don't waste your time worrying and being anxious! It's 2014...MODERN dentistry. I've had two and I didn't think they were any worse than a filling. Don't stress, really, you'll be fine.

I had one done years ago and I really don't remember much. It was my front tooth, so it didn't take as long as a molar.

But I got a molar pulled last week that was abscessed. The needle is much more painless now.....especially because they brush your gum with a numbing gel first. He waits a while then gives you the needles. I had 3 just for my molar.

MANY root canals for me!

I'm sure 'Root Canal' was a pain legend years ago, but it's easy today with modern pain killers. There's just one 'pinch' with the first needle to numb. I've never needed any oral pain meds after a procedure. Your body will ache, though, if you tense up in the chair.

I've always had a temporary crown after a root canal, then waited a week for the area to 'settle down' before going to my regular dentist for impression, then crown.

I ask for a chock to hold my jaw open for any dental work that's going to take more than ten minutes. A root canal can take an hour or more. It's harder to perform if the tooth is in the back of the mouth. (I have three erupted wisdom teeth and a small mouth and jaw.) ALL of the nerve has to be filed out, using progressively thinner files to get to the root ends. You need strong hands and fingers to do this work!

Hope all goes smoothly for you!

Root canal are no big deal. Relax. The most pain you will have is in your pocketbook.

I didn't read all of the other replies so this may be duplicative, but I've never understood why root canals are considered to be so worrisome. I've had two and in both cases the numbing process is the worst part of the procedure. Everything else was easy and pain free.

Maybe when someone gets sent out to take courtesy lessons that might be more painful for the subject than a root canal.

Mine was done several years ago ... at the dental school, so not so painful in the wallet.

It was nothing to be concerned about - as someone said, they rub a gel on first to partially numb, then use the needle, which isn't a problem.

Should you happen to not survive ... would you try to have someone come to let us know?

ole joyful

Lol, that's funny, ole joyful. I'll be sure to get a message back to the KT!