Kailani at An Island Life is the host of the delightful “Aloha Friday” meme. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day everyone takes it easy and looks forward to the weekend. Let’s take it easy on posting Fridays too. Simple questions. Nothing heavy or too thought-provoking. It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s a good way to get to know each other. For more Aloha Fridays stop by
First thing this past Monday morning, after suffering with a toothache for two weeks, I finally went in to see my dentist. After a few x-rays and applying a tiny bit of ice to my tooth he diagnosed the need for a root canal.
Bummer.
“I won’t do it”, my dentist said, “I know my limitations”.
So home I went with prescriptions for both penicillin and vicodin and a referral to an endodontist.
The next morning NY phoned the referred endodontist and “Oh Boy!” they could see me that very afternoon. Two and a half hours after sitting down under the microscope, I left with a record breaking “five canal” root canal on my bottom right molar and feeling like the Ultimate Fighting Championship had taken place in my mouth.
Have you ever had a root canal?
Heart of Rachel says
Several years ago I was supposed to have a root canal (molar) but the dentist gave me another alternative, to have my tooth pulled out and have a permanent porcelain tooth put into that space. I chose the latter and haven’t had any problem with it since then.
Shauna says
FOUR root canals…yep! That would be my Root Canal Total!
I would love some of your apricots! I have an Apricot Bar Recipe I am looking for. I have only made it with dried apricots, I am not sure how it would be with fresh. When I find it, you will have it from me!
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
JHS says
Yup. Oh, excuse me, I have to take my clindamycin. Be right back.
Now then . . . I have had 3 root canals & was scheduled for a 4th on the molar I have been trying to save for a year and a half. I kind of like having my teeth in my head. My dentist said root canals rarely work on the rear molars and wanted me to have it pulled. “Not so fast there,” I said.
It’s been infected at least 4 times (that I can remember) . . . maybe more. One Sunday morning, I had to call him at home to get an rx for Tylenol with codeine because I was so miserable.
I went to the endodontist. When she put the green rubber dam across my mouth, I again said, “Not so fast there.” Can you say “claustrophobia?” Felt like I couldn’t breathe and there was no way I could tolerate it for 30 min. the first time and 1 hr. the second (her estimates . . . so double the actual time).
I went to the sedation folks for my consultation. They were all set to do the root canal with sedation. When they told it would cost me (not my insurance co.) $800 – 1000, I said, “Not so fast there.” So they wrote a letter to the ins. co. explaining why they planned to use sedation for a root canal.
Here I am taking my clindamycin, supplemented by Tylenol with codeine as needed, waiting for the insurance authorization. I chew on the other side as I think most of the temporary cap my dentist put over the tooth has eroded (it wasn’t supposed to be there this long after he drilled in, cleaned out the area, etc. and capped it off).
Moral of the story: I don’t know if there is one (sigh).
grace says
I had one and after that I promised to take care of my teeth more so I won’t have one again! It was worse than childbirth!
Periapex says
4 hours? Really? Sounds like a long appointment for an endodontist…assuming they were working on you for that full amount of time.
Root canal treatment on molars is very predictable depending on the skill of the practitioner and the amount of infection inside the tooth.
A relatively recent study showed that about 95% of upper molars have 4 canals, so I generally will assume 4, and spend lots of time looking for that fourth one.
Good luck with the rest of the work on that tooth!
Karen says
Yes. When I was pregnant with my first son, I didn’t absorb enough calcium and the little booger bear took mine – so one of my back molars split in half as a result. (Bad mommy).
I put it off and put it off until it got infected and by then it was too late to save it. So, I had to go to a specialist After sitting in the chair for three hours with my mouth practically unhinged so they could work on me, I became quite nauseous and by the time they were through with me, I promptly raced to the restrooms and threw up.
I was so embarrassed. But I’ve been pretty good about going to the dentist and nipping potential problems in the bud since then. *grin*
Write From Karen
jennifer in OR says
Never, and God willing, never will. I have a terrible fear of dentists.
Sher :) says
No, but I had my wisdom teeth pulled and now I suffer from tmj. And they wonder why we don’t like dentists. heehee Hoping you a quick recovery. Good thing you don’t have the grandkids this weekend!! 🙂
BrineS says
Ooooh, Yes! Unfortunately, I have had two! Not fun! Vicodin makes me sick. I can’t take it.
Jenn says
Nope! Just had my eye-teeth and my wisdoms removed. That’s the extent of it for me.
Bonggamom says
Nope… but my husband seems to have a root canal about once a year!
dakotablueeyes says
noo and i’m never gonna one i can’t afford it and two i’m a wuss okay maybe that should be number one but still lol
kailani says
NO! And it’s on the top of my “must never do” list! Good luck!