I recently discovered a cavity and decided to go to the dentist today to get that looked at and get another filling (that fell out) replaced.
Well, they took xrays/photos of my teeth, and it turns out that I have 8(!!!!) cavities. And the tooth (#4) where I noticed had a cavity actually needs a root canal!
I am freaking out beyond belief. First off, I've never had that many dental problems (especially at once) in my entire life. I take great care of my teeth (floss/brush daily... more than twice).
How is this possible that I got such damage that I need a root canal already?
Outrageous. It's also very frustrating that I already have four silver fillings and every single one of them has to be replaced because apparently there are cavities in all of them. (What's the point of getting fillings if they're just gonna get cavities eventually anyway?!)
So obviously I've never had a root canal done and I am beyond scared. The dentist set up 2 appointments for the 7 cavities, and 2 others for the root canal/crown. It is very expensive and I don't think I can afford to do it that way.
Should I have the root canal done first so that my insurance at least covers half of that? (If I get the fillings on other teeth first my insurance won't cover any of the root canal procedures.)
Should I just go ahead and tell him to do the root canal first at my first appointment (even though he scheduled fillings first)? Do I have to call and tell them in advance or will it be okay if I just show up and tell him that I want the root canal out of the way first?
Also, what should I expect? I asked him about it, but he wasn't very informative. He basically just said that it won't hurt (yeah right!) and that I had the nitrous oxide option (which I decided to use at least for the root canal).
Is this gonna be the most painful procedure ever? I hear people talk about how horrible it is to have root canals and I don't want to have to go through that. I freak out at the dentist enough as it is.
I recently discovered a cavity and decided to go to the dentist today to get that looked at and get another filling (that fell out) replaced.
Well, they took xrays/photos of my teeth, and it turns out that I have 8(!!!!) cavities. And the tooth (#4) where I noticed had a cavity actually needs a root canal!
I am freaking out beyond belief. First off, I've never had that many dental problems (especially at once) in my entire life. I take great care of my teeth (floss/brush daily... more than twice).
How is this possible that I got such damage that I need a root canal already?
Outrageous. It's also very frustrating that I already have four silver fillings and every single one of them has to be replaced because apparently there are cavities in all of them. (What's the point of getting fillings if they're just gonna get cavities eventually anyway?!)
So obviously I've never had a root canal done and I am beyond scared. The dentist set up 2 appointments for the 7 cavities, and 2 others for the root canal/crown. It is very expensive and I don't think I can afford to do it that way.
Should I have the root canal done first so that my insurance at least covers half of that? (If I get the fillings on other teeth first my insurance won't cover any of the root canal procedures.)
Should I just go ahead and tell him to do the root canal first at my first appointment (even though he scheduled fillings first)? Do I have to call and tell them in advance or will it be okay if I just show up and tell him that I want the root canal out of the way first?
Also, what should I expect? I asked him about it, but he wasn't very informative. He basically just said that it won't hurt (yeah right!) and that I had the nitrous oxide option (which I decided to use at least for the root canal).
Is this gonna be the most painful procedure ever? I hear people talk about how horrible it is to have root canals and I don't want to have to go through that. I freak out at the dentist enough as it is.
Thanks!
Hi Moonlight, I can understand your anxiety ..But please try not to worry (easier said than done...i know) Never had root canal, but my hubby recently did. He wasn't scared, but I was scared for him, as I have heard nothing but horror stories, as well. I went with him. We have great dentist and staff, which helps alot. He said he felt no pain during procedure, and even after meds wore off, he didn't need to take vicodin, just Advil or Tylenol (forget which) The doctor called that evening to make sure he was doing ok. Went back to work next day. But everyone is different, although I'm sure you'll do fine. Good luck and let me know how everything goes. Oh yeah, get the nitrous oxide....
I also just talked to a friend about the whole thing and she thinks that I need a second opinion.
I currently have three fillings, and only one of them feels a bit uncomfortable like there may be something wrong with it (probably needs to be replaced). The other two feel fine, but apparently according to this dentist, they need to be taken out and replaced. He wasn't very informative and didn't even tell me exactly where I needed the fillings or why... he just said that he needed to work on 8 of my teeth (including the root canal).
[I figured out which ones on my own and realized that 4 of them are the ones that already have/had fillings.]
I guess if the other 2 old fillings are fine, I'd rather leave them in for a while till I can afford to get them replaced.
Should I get a second opinion? This is the first time I've ever been to this dentist so I don't know whether or not I should trust his opinion.
Also, if I go to a different one, will I have to get the xrays done again? Or can this dentist just send the xrays to a different ones (upon my request)?
I've never done xrays before.
I recently discovered a cavity and decided to go to the dentist today to get that looked at and get another filling (that fell out) replaced.
Well, they took xrays/photos of my teeth, and it turns out that I have 8(!!!!) cavities. And the tooth (#4) where I noticed had a cavity actually needs a root canal!
I am freaking out beyond belief. First off, I've never had that many dental problems (especially at once) in my entire life. I take great care of my teeth (floss/brush daily... more than twice).
How is this possible that I got such damage that I need a root canal already?
Outrageous. It's also very frustrating that I already have four silver fillings and every single one of them has to be replaced because apparently there are cavities in all of them. (What's the point of getting fillings if they're just gonna get cavities eventually anyway?!)
So obviously I've never had a root canal done and I am beyond scared. The dentist set up 2 appointments for the 7 cavities, and 2 others for the root canal/crown. It is very expensive and I don't think I can afford to do it that way.
Should I have the root canal done first so that my insurance at least covers half of that? (If I get the fillings on other teeth first my insurance won't cover any of the root canal procedures.)
Should I just go ahead and tell him to do the root canal first at my first appointment (even though he scheduled fillings first)? Do I have to call and tell them in advance or will it be okay if I just show up and tell him that I want the root canal out of the way first?
Also, what should I expect? I asked him about it, but he wasn't very informative. He basically just said that it won't hurt (yeah right!) and that I had the nitrous oxide option (which I decided to use at least for the root canal).
Is this gonna be the most painful procedure ever? I hear people talk about how horrible it is to have root canals and I don't want to have to go through that. I freak out at the dentist enough as it is.
Thanks!
There is nothing to a root canal. I have had at least three in my lifetime. I never had any pain. It is just a long procedure. The doctor will give you novacaine to make you numb and you won't feel anything. As far as what you should have done first, the cavities or the root canal, that is something you need to discuss with your dentist.
There is nothing to a root canal. I have had at least three in my lifetime. I never had any pain. It is just a long procedure. The doctor will give you novacaine to make you numb and you won't feel anything. As far as what you should have done first, the cavities or the root canal, that is something you need to discuss with your dentist.
Thanks!
I hope it won't be too bad... it's just gonna be annoying to have to sit there for an hour and a half. I figured it out and decided to get the root canal out of the way first. I'm doing that on Wednesay. It's like a nightmare. My teeth are so important to me and I can't believe I'm practically losing one of them for good... (and I'm way too young for that).
Oh well, I guess that's what I get for not going to the dentist on time.
Re: Root Canal - Freaking Out! 
..But please try not to worry (easier said than done...i know) Never had root canal, but my hubby recently did. He wasn't scared, but I was scared for him, as I have heard nothing but horror stories, as well. I went with him. We have great dentist and staff, which helps alot. He said he felt no pain during procedure, and even after meds wore off, he didn't need to take vicodin, just Advil or Tylenol (forget which) The doctor called that evening to make sure he was doing ok. Went back to work next day. But everyone is different, although I'm sure you'll do fine. Good luck and let me know how everything goes. Oh yeah, get the nitrous oxide....
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