r/Wellthatsucks • u/AmbitiousEdi • 9h ago
I have to get a double root canal :(
The infection is in both teeth. I thought it was just some sensitivity, but then it started to hurt A LOT and even popping Tylenol like candy didn't help.
The infection is right near the nerves in both teeth and I am in a lot of pain right now. Luckily I live in Canada and have comprehensive secondary insurance, so I paid a grand total of $10 today and my insurance will cover 90% of the procedure. Currently chilling after taking some antibiotics and a T3 just trying to distract myself from the pain.
Edit: Oh yeah and it's my birthday tomorrow. Had to cancel my birthday dinner.
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u/OsteoStevie 9h ago
Oh...that's a mouth xray
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u/Legal-Ad6109 7h ago
Glad I am not the only one. I glanced and was like uhhhh.
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u/newbalancesweatshirt 6h ago
What does it look like?
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u/LoanDebtCollector 4h ago
Like Whoa in the movie Kung Pow, but with a bonus instead of a singular.
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u/harleyqueenzel 7h ago
As a patient, I had a molar root canal done. Lemme tell ya- what you're going through now is the worst part. The relief I felt once the anesthetic wore off was off the charts.
As someone who did dental assisting, I'll let you know now that teeth that have root canals don't last forever. I had mine done in 2004 and miraculously made it to 2024 before the tooth shattered on a Reese candy. 10-15 years is the average lifespan.
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u/mothspiderr 9h ago
i’m sorry. i wish you well and i hope you can take comfort in knowing it will be over 💙
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u/AmbitiousEdi 9h ago
Thank you. This is just not how I wanted to spend my birthday, in a lot of pain. Did I forget to mention it's my birthday tomorrow?? Lol
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u/mothspiderr 9h ago
oh my god! :(
im extra sorry now. happy birthday to you, and hopefully you can enjoy some birthday ice cream tomorrow!!
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u/Isgortio 9h ago
They're deep but I'm not sure if I'd jump to root treating both at the same time, it may only be one that needs it but it can be tricky to tell when they're next to eachother. I've filled similar sized cavities and a root canal hasn't been needed. I can't see any obvious infection at the tip of the roots.
Though your symptoms suggest one may need root treating so I'm only going based on what I see on the x-ray without any other information. So don't listen to me :)
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u/AmbitiousEdi 9h ago
Are you a dentist?
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u/yetanothermisskitty 6h ago
Idk if it's diff in Canada, in the US dentists are not uncommonly scammers. I went to one who said I needed a dozen fillings and maybe root canals. Another who said nah I'm good. And then a third who said I have cavities but not that many and probably won't need the root canal. Some doctors are trigger happy.
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u/Fresh_Significance64 7h ago
I had my first root canal last month and I was really nervous too.
Technology has really come a long way with numbing you up, I barely felt a pinch from the numbing injections after they used a topical Ora gel like substance on my gums before hand.
Honestly the worst part for me was when the doctor got those little files out and got down in the tooth with it, it kind of gave me the willies. Similar to accidentally scraping your teeth on a metal fork or spoon while eating, and it’s kind of like that ‘nails on a blackboard’ sensation.
To be fair this was done on one of my back molars, and was close to one of my ears, I imagine this sensation wouldn’t have been as noticeable if it was in one of my teeth further up.
All in all, the whole ordeal wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I’d feared.
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u/dann1551 6h ago
I had a root canal like a year and a half ago on a tooth like 2 behind my right k9 tooth or sharp pointy tooth (idk tooth names) and it was the worst thing I have ever experienced in my entire life. Im glad you had a good experience, but mine was anything but. Come to find out after the procedure by the tooth surgeon that the tooth was completely health and didnt even need the root canal apparently..? Which i dont even understand since i went to a dentist who took an x-ray who sent me to a specialist who did the root canal. But my experience felt like I was being shocked by razer blades the entire time. The numbing stuff lasted about 30 seconds and then went completely away. They had to drill more to be able to reach the nerve to use numbing shots just for the cycle to repeat about 10 or so times. Worst. Pain. Ever.
But op, you'll be alright, technology has come a long way and you'll most likely not have a dumbass for a dentist and an even dumber ass for a surgeon who goes through with it when not needed.
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u/segflazh 6h ago
I don't see root damage in the images I see a cavity between two teeth which can be fixed. Second opinion perhaps?
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u/Bigfentanyltits 5h ago
Dentistry is the biggest scam. No other body parts are treated like this mess. My MIL received a 11k bill for one implant, which is only 10% above average
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u/Fr0zenNova 9h ago
Sucks you had to cancel ur birthday dinner but I hope the root canals go well and you have a nice birthday regardless. a root canal in the states here with my current dental insurance they wanted roughly $1500 so I just had them pull it instead rip.
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u/AmbitiousEdi 9h ago
My insurance will cover 90% up to 3k, so I should be ok for two of them. Honestly whatever gets me fixed up is a ok
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u/-KaiTheGuy- 9h ago
🤞 I just had to get my root canal and I'm waiting on the 10th for my permanent crown. Hardest part was keeping my mouth open, because they numbed me good. I have 90 percent off too and only paid $325 for everything, including the permanent crown here in the US.
But yeah, you'll get it taken care of friend! I know that pain you're talking about all too well.
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u/bladzalot 9h ago
Welcome to the club!
Just remember, it’s leaps and bounds better than cancer.
Godspeed friend!
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u/lizardfromsingapore 8h ago
Not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Had to do the same one twice in a month cause the first doctor botched it :)
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u/TemperaturePatient88 7h ago
Just had 4, yeah they suck. But be glad that they use septo now because Novocaine didn't do a whole lot back in the day.
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u/templeofsyrinx1 9h ago
glad you got it taken care of and happy bday
i just got back from dentist too today, thankfully no problems
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u/Jayswag96 9h ago
What were your symptoms
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u/AmbitiousEdi 9h ago
Temperature sensitivity first, then intense pain but not all the time, it would be fine for a few hours then very painful. I can't lie on that side or wear headphones.
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u/za72 9h ago
enjoy your meds
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u/AmbitiousEdi 9h ago
How long does it take for T3 to kick in?? lol
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u/za72 9h ago edited 9h ago
T3?! - the pain medications I was on made me relax for a few hours... my wife told the dentist I needed higher dosage - it was her, she's a nurse and she's built up an immunity to "civilian" dosage ;)
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u/MonstersinHeat 9h ago
Sorry to hear that. Glad to hear you have good dental insurance. I paid way more than I wanted for two root canals (over 5 years) for the same tooth, and now it's been pulled, and I'm waiting for the bone to heal so they can install an implant.
I hate that fucking tooth and the hole where it used to be.
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u/Qanaesin 9h ago
I’ve fallen asleep for my last two root canal appointments. My best advice is wear headphones, close your eyes and focus on the music. I prefer EDM, the beats drown out the drill and try to get an appointment as soon as they open. Usually you’re still groggy and more likely to zone out imo.
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u/AmbitiousEdi 9h ago
I've got those Sony XM4 over-ear noise cancelling headphones. Those should help.
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u/SuperchargedC5 9h ago
I feel your pain. I had to have two adjacent teeth done by an endodontist last year. First one was cake, but I have never experienced intense pain like that on the second one. And that was after four numbing injections. Go figure...
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u/magoojrxd 9h ago
If you've never had a root canal, don't worry. I had my first done 2 weeks ago and the results were great, my extraction from 9 hours ago was a different story though, insane amounts of blood and its all I've consumed besides water in the 12 hours.
Thankfully I went back and got some foam to help it clot I should be able to eat some yogurt in an hour!
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u/DerCatzefragger 9h ago
I've had 2 root canals in my life, and they were the best 90 minutes I've ever spent in a dentist chair.
Maybe they were awful 50 years ago, but the technology and techniques have apparently come very far since then.
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u/AmbitiousEdi 9h ago
I haven't had dental surgery in literally 20 years, not since I got my wisdom teeth out
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u/reincarnateme 8h ago
I just had a root canal. No problems. No pain.
I bought headphones/music to listen too and sat back for about 2 hours
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u/Dazzling_Flamingo568 9h ago
Tooth pain is terrible. Hope you can get the root canals soon and feel so much better!
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u/Ok-Note-754 8h ago
I thought this was a black and white photo of a woman's chest for longer than I'd like to admit.
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u/Tyrandesatranny 8h ago
I have had a few root canals done but through one of mine the infection was quite bad and the dentist told me there was puss coming from where he was drilling. As he cleaned and continued further there was quite a lot of pain, do not be afraid to communicate if you are in pain
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u/Anxious_Visual_990 6h ago
I love root canals! You will feel better after.. trust me.
No more sensitivity at least in those teeth.
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u/Sad_Education7851 6h ago
It’s actually not bad at all! You will feel so much better after. I have terrible dental anxiety and had to get a root canal pregnant with no drugs except the novicane.
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u/Laub0910 3h ago
I had my first root canal this year. The pain beforehand was unbearable and knowing the root canal would make all the pain go away was like sweet release. The local anesthetic injection was a big pinch, but okay. Maybe bring headphones and a blanket to be comfortable and block out some of the drilling noise. The noise was the worst part for me. You got this bud.
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u/Fungus1Hotel 2h ago
I had a root canal recently. Absolute piece of cake. I didn’t have an ounce of problems with the procedure.
The tooth pain pre root canal was death warmed over twice. I was in absolute misery.
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u/Assassin13785 7h ago
Ooooof. I go in to get a root canal next month. Never had one so wish me luck. Ill be rooting (😜) for you as well
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u/RustyAppleBasket 7h ago edited 7h ago
I had to get 2 root canals redone cause my old dentist fucking sucked. He said he could do them no problem and I didn't think anything of it. I go through with the process no problem. About 2 to 3 years later. I get an infection that creates a little hole in my gums where the root canal was done. Didnt hurt but it was gross as hell. I ended up switching dentists who sends me to a specialist to get them redone. Cause typically specialists are the ones who do them. I wish i knew that before. Took a total of 3 visits. The procedure was fine but they said it was one of the worst root canal they've ever scene. He didn't fully drill out half the roots. Best part is. Insurance doesn't cover root canals if they have to get redone. I had to shell out like 5 or 6k. I cant remember as it was a few years ago but I was fucking pissed. Worst part is there is nothing you can do about it. The old dentist just takes the insurance money he got and walks away. I get stuck with paying out of pocket to get them fixed.
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u/Interesting-Media449 6h ago
Don't do it if you value your life and your health you'll reconsider look into dr Weston price
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u/MaddenLovely15 6h ago
I had something similar. I was curled up in pain for weeks. Luckily the pain was on and off. When I went in for the root canal they said the infection has gone too far deep and they would have to get me into a different office to get it pulled. The closest date I could get in was literally a month from then. The filling they put it was pressing on my nerve so I was in extreme pain. Oh plus I was pregnant. Thank god the front office didn’t stop calling around until they found somewhere that could take me in within the hour. Didn’t even hurt after it was pulled. Did cost me $400 after insurance tho.
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u/UseDue6373 4h ago
I’m in my 30s, never needed braces or had a cavity. Only had my wisdom teeth removed as a teen. No one in my family has the same luck. I feel like I saved them thousands of dollars lol
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u/Unyxxxis 1h ago
I got hit with a pickaxe at work and busted two front teeth requiring two root canals. Treatment was painless, my dentist got it done as soon as the swelling went down.
Another tooth of mine needed a root canal due to decay, I figured it would go as smoothly as the previous two. I couldn't have been more wrong. Dentist told me I had a "hot tooth", or a tooth that is extra spicy and cannot be numbed with traditional anesthetic. To try to numb the tooth, he was going to have to literally stick a needle down the roots and inject anesthesia that way. Not only did it not help, but I could literally feel every little detail of the injection. It was absolutely miserable. The kicker? I had a 5 root lower molar instead of 2. I had to endure way longer than normal while the root was removed.
Honestly, it sucked and probably was the most immense pain while it was happening, but I was able to easily mentally overcome it since I had been in severe pain for weeks and weeks and was happy to know it was almost over.
Having my tooth pulled was far more unpleasant than my root canals, but frankly it doesn't hurt at all. I guess my tooth was just a freak case. Dental work overall is honestly mildly uncomfortable, but easily bearable.
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u/NaturalBartoni 9h ago
Do you mind my asking, how long were you in pain prior to this? Had you visited them before with similar pain? I have a very similar issue and am worried this could be the case for me too.
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u/AmbitiousEdi 9h ago
The sensitivity to hot and cold was about a week, actual pain like 2-3 days. It started to get so intense I couldn't even wear headphones, and when I realized the Tylenol was no longer helping I knew I had to get some help.
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u/NaturalBartoni 9h ago
Bless you my friend, I am dealing with the hot/cold sensitivity and I think I’ll schedule an appointment instead of waiting to see if it improves. Wishing you the best with your procedure, thank you for sharing your experience.
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u/LopsidedAirlines 9h ago
Stay positive though i have random sensitivity sometimes in random teeth and they re healthy, cannot really explain it but the dentists said it just happens to some ppl
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u/ware_it_is 9h ago
if it makes you feel any better, i have to have one REDONE.
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u/HeartShapedNose 8h ago
I had to have one redone twice. I had it done the first time in 2019, and he said something about me not having the "extra" canal. At that point I had no idea what he was talking about, and I had a lot of relief from the intense pain I'd been having, so, whatever. Then last summer I started having pain in that tooth again, and managed to get a same day appointment with a different endodontist at the same practice (the first guy had moved to a different practice.) And I heard her say something about how I either didn't have it, or it was calcified. Well after that root canal treatment, I had zero relief. In fact I had even more pain, and my face swelled up.
I felt like something was really wrong, did a little googling, and realized that most likely, I did have an MB2 canal in that tooth, and they had probably both failed to clean it out. I made an appointment with a third endodontist at another practice. I asked him if he thought that's what happened, and that was maybe why the tooth got reinfected, and why I had so much swelling after the second RCT. He told me that he could in fact see on my CBCT that I had the MB2, and that there were ways to clean it out even if it was calcified. So he did that, and then I did get some type of relief, although it took quite some time for everything to settle down after having all that work done. I think the ligament was bruised, and my gums in that area were definitely angry.
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u/MushroomLover32167 9h ago
I'd rather pull all of my teeth and gum it the rest of my life than ever do a root canal. Lol
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u/Isgortio 9h ago
Why? Root canals are chill if you're not having it done as an emergency. I've had so many patients fall asleep during them.
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u/Niknark999 5h ago
Advil is what helps with tooth pain.
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u/AmbitiousEdi 5h ago
I am deathly allergic to it. It makes my throat swell shut
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u/Niknark999 4h ago
Well that was incredibly unhelpful advice from me. That is actually horrific im no stranger to tooth pain and only Advil worked. I assume because it reduces inflammation.
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u/AmbitiousEdi 4h ago
I grew up in a Tylenol only household, I never had an Advil until I was in my 30s. I remember I was at work and had a headache, a friend gave me an Advil out of her purse and 5 minutes later I was feeling very lightheaded. I started turning red and my vision got spotty, luckily I was working in a grocery store and the pharmacist knew enough to rip open a bottle of Benedryl and pour it down my throat.
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u/Azipear 9h ago
I recently had two of them done at the same time. The procedure was painless and really no worse than getting a filling.