Dental Work - OUCH.

[baab95]

I've just spent the last hour at the dentist. Admittedly, its long overdue! I broke a tooth several years ago and had a temporary cap put on it whilst I decided whether to: have it pulled out, have an implant or root canal & crown work. All options seem unattractive to me, on the basis of associated physical pain and financial impact. Anyway the ongoing discomfort has won out and off to the dentist I went. Apparently the tooth is salvagable so I had the first root canal treatment today. I am rather sore and swollen, and dreading the next appointment. Has anybody had root canal work done? Was it successful?

[keepersdaughter]

Baab, I've had several root canals, I'm sitting here trying to count my crowns with my tongue - 8 !:eek:. Too many sticks of rock I think when I was a child :(. The root canals are not the most pleasant experience, but I'm always numbed up to the hilt, so the worst part for me has always been keeping my mouth open for so long :D . I had to have a crown replaced at the beginning of the year. It was a pretty tight fit, I nearly went back to the dentist because it didn't feel right, but I think it was just a case of the other teeth having to adjust a bit to the newcomer and now it feels fine. You've probably had the worst part of the treatment I'm guessing, so when you go back it should probably be for the fitting of the final crown. Good luck, I'm sure it will be fine.

[Crocus]

Root canals, hhmmm, I've been there as well - and as you've said KD, that's actually the worst part of the whole treatment (apart from keeping one's mouth open for so long). I don't want to think what people went through those long long gone days when there were no dentists, as we know them today, available. It must've been a totally and completely terrifying experience!:eek:

[baab95]

Thanks Crocus & Keepers it's nice to know I'm not alone! My jaw feals quite stiff this morning, but it sounds as though this is perfectly normal. I've got another appointment in about four weeks. The intial diagnosis was to remove the tooth and have an implant put in (at an exhorbitant cost), thankfully the root canal/crown option is considerably cheaper and quicker. I think you're right Crocus about the rather terrifying prospect of any medical procedure in days long gone. I think many people would have to have just put up with pain and discomfort.

[dragonfly]

I had root work a few months ago. After an hour, with me being so nervous, I was dying to go to the loo. I put up with it until I thought if I don't go I shall have an accident but couldn't speak with my mouth propped open so had to flapp my arms about until he asked what the proplem was. I don't think he had done root work before so didn't know how long it would take. When I walked through reception to the toilet everybody stared at me, they must have wondered what I was having done that took so long. It took another half hour and was extremely sore for a couple of weeks and is still tender now but hopefully successful.

[Crocus]

Oh goodness Dragonfly, I can just imagine how it must've felt to go to the loo while stuck onto a dentist chair! Being nervous urges me to go to the loo more often.........xxx

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Root canal work is not the most pleasant, but I find it preferable to extraction, for at least I know the tooth will be saved and false teeth avoided for a wee bit longer. Also, the tooth can be crowned, further extending the life of 'real' teeth.

[Oola]

I have only one filling, and it's in my wisdom tooth. The thing is, I keep getting horrible tastes in my mouth from the tooth, and I think there could be an infection in there. The problem is, I cannot afford to go to the dentist. And I've missed my annual check up so they may have thrown me off the list. In which case, I'll have a hell of a job getting them to put me back on their books, as they're so oversubscribed.

Anyhow, I digress! Apparently the filling is quite close to the nerve in my tooth, so the dentist said I may need root canal work or an extraction eventually. Sometimes the tooth does get tender, and having had it for well over a year, I think perhaps it's a sign that I need it out. My sister had a root canal and said it was fine. I have to admit, the prospect of a root canal worries me less than the prospect of having the thing out, given the fact that the dentist had to put his knee into Mum's chest and almost wrench her head off the chair to get her tooth out...

[Primrose]

Oola

Just read these postings very quickly. If you are unlucky enough to not have an NHS dentist in your area then you could try the Primary Care Trust I think they have a list of emergency dentists and you can be seen by one of them on the NHS.

Stangely enough in our area you can drive in one direction for about 6 miles and there is an NHS dentist that will take to you. Drive the same distance in the opposite direction and there is a private dentist who will take a few NHS patients but you have to go on his waiting list.

Gilly

[dinger]

I would advise anyone to take good care of their teeth .I always tried to look after mine but alas have more false teeth than my own now . Which is'nt pleasant at all. I am terrified to go near a dentist but that is only because I had a very bad experience years ago . I now have to have an injection which puts me out only trouble is not easy to bring me round again .my husband has recently had crowns fitted but is lucky has never lost one of his teeth and still has them all.

[lesleyhannah]

It's worth taking care of your teeth, if only for financial reasons! When I moved to Surrey from the north of England I was shocked to find the only dentist around here who could take me was 'private'. I've reached the age where all my bits are dropping off or going bad or whatever, and dental work is no longer just little fillings, but bridges and crowns etc that require a mortgage to pay for them. The difference between private and NHS prices is enormous. I think if I were young I'd think seriously about taking out private insurance to cover the inevitable bridge work etc. As it is, I put up with nagging aches for as long as possible before making an appointment.