Anyone had 2nd root canal on same tooth?

[BioAdoptMom3]

I have to have another root canal on a tooth which was root canaled about 12 years aqo. Its the only root canal I have ever had. I have a few questions and hope someone may be able to answer them:

1. Will it have to be done in two parts like the first one, or does the second one only take one treatment?

2. Will they be able somehow to save the crown and just put it back on, or am I dreaming? I am thinking I will probably have to have another crown but I dread the thought of having to pay for another one! I guess the tax refund has to go somewhere!

3. I am a wimp and have a friend who is willing to go with me. Will they probably let her back with me or not?

4. I have always dreaded the nocacaine part, but my dentist uses the gel before the shot and it eliminates the pain. Do all dentists do that? I am concerned because this is of course not my regular dentist who is going to do this.

TIA for any help or advice!

Nancy

[cs1992]

Well, I had a tooth which had been "root canaled" become abcessed about 5 years ago. It was about the worst pain I ever had. I even went to the ER and they gave me 2 shots of demeral which did nothing. The only thing that helped was going tot he dentist the next day and having a novocaine injection.

Anyways, the dentist drilled right through the crown, drained it and had me leave it open (the hole he drilled) for 2 days. He then filled in the crown like a normal tooth. I'd assume a root canal could have been done without replacing the crown.

[RachelmLo]

Most likely the root canal will be done in one visit, depending on the level of infecion in the tooth. My guess is you are seeing an endodontist, which is a dentist who specializes in root canals. Not all dentists use the gel you are talking about, but most keep it on hand for patients who request it, so just ask. Your general dentist will know whether or not the crown needs to be replaced. It just depends on what all is going on underneath it. Some dentists do allow friends, relative, etc. back, but not all. As far as I know, there is no one really allowed back in the op but staff and patient, but not all ofices follow this. Good luck to you and I hope this helps.

[lateeth]

I have found that the advances in dentistry pain management in the past few years have been great. Between 12 years ago and now, things may be very different. So if your wimpiness comes from memory of pain, things are getting better all the time.

[rush_rulz]

cs1992: When your root canal abcessed--was your face terribly swollen? I hear you will KNOW when you have one abcess because of the swelling but i'm wondering if you cah have it abcess and not experience the swelling?