[Roly Poly]

Anyone had any issues getting numbed up for a root canal? I had 7 injections yesterday and not totally numb so have to try again on Monday. Anyone had a root canal done with IV sedation? I had a few root canals in the past with no problems but seem to be more anxious about everything these days and root canals are right up there!

[Bedivere]

7 injections didn't do it? Wow, that seems a bit crazy. I'm no doctor so don't really know the physiology involved but it would seem to me that with that much anesthetic pumped into you you'd have to be numb unless you're resistant/immune to that particular anesthesia...? I've had one root canal in a lower left molar. Problem is that tooth has a vertical fracture. About two years after the initial crown was put on I started having pain so got a root canal. About two years after that (back in December) I started having intense pain in that tooth again and a visit to the Endodontist showed it was infected at the root. They opened it back up, cleaned it all out, packed it with some kind of antibacterial stuff and sent me on my way. That fixed the pain and I just went back two days ago to get it redone again as they had to clean out the antibacterial stuff and re-seal everything. So in essence, I've had three root canals on the same tooth... The prognosis isn't good. The doc says it'll probably last another year or two and he won't be surprised if it starts up again and at that point we'll probably elect to pull it and get an implant. In this last go-round the doc gave me a shot and went off to do whatever while the assistant set up the dental dam & such. I didn't feel like I was getting numb enough so told the assistant who just brushed it off and told me I'd be fine but when the doc came back and started cleaning things out with those little files it hurt like hell so he gave me another shot and that fixed it. Kinda pissed at that assistant, she should've told the doc and let him make the assessment, not brushed me off like that.

[Seventy2002]

My last root canal was less painful than some tooth cleanings I've had. I don't know what the doc used but there was no residual numbness. My best dental experience was the first and only time my dentist used nitrous oxide on me.

[Frango]

Yes. Studies have shown that those of us who are gingers, or have ginger tendencies, have difficulties with dental anaesthetics - it takes more juice and we wear through it more quickly. . When I’ve had to go in, they plan my visit for extra time (usually another 30mins) which is spent prior to the actual appointment getting numbed up. Then there is the break half way through to re-numb. It sucks but that’s just the way of it.

[Ski]

^ This is one of the many reasons why man invented grain alcohol. Root canals are about $300 bucks in Mazatlán, just FYI. Sometimes, as noted above by Sir Bedivere, they are not always "permanent". Sometimes it has nothing to do with whether or not they were installed for $300 or $3000 (by supposedly one of the highest-rated dental surgeons in the County.)

[gray matter]

I am going to make a guess that this was on a lower tooth? A molar? When a tooth presents with a pulpitis, which is inflammation of the nerve inside the tooth, the efficacy of anesthetic techniques may become compromised. Here is a study that looked at how effective anesthetic is using a conventional delivery technique. The study showed failure more than 70% of the time! Alternative techniques have been developed to achieve profound anesthesia in difficult cases like this. In my career, once I learned how to select an appropriate anesthetic, and select an appropriate delivery system, I have had only one case where I was unable to get a patient profoundly numb. I am a general dentist, though, and anesthetize patients who are generally symptom-free. The bottom line is that you are not alone! This happens, and it is frustrating, particularly for you but for the dentist, as well. I hope that everything goes smoothly with your care and that you feel better soon!

[Randito]

I've had excellent results with DR. DiRe in Factoria. I had a root canal with another guy some years before switching to DR DiRe -- it took three "root cleaning" sessions and involved a fair amount of pain. I've had 5 root canals with wit DR. DiRe -- all were accomplished in a single session -- including placing the crown. He uses a Cerac CNC machine for scanning the tooth and milling and firing ceramic crown all in one visit. All are still working well. No pain either. YMMV

[Roly Poly]

Gray Matter, thanks for your input. Hopefully what I have to say will make sense. After 7 injections the endodontist said he could not administer more, something to do with adrenaline and heart rate. He said the "pain" I was still feeling pertained to the ligament part of the tooth and something about proprioception. He said the part that he would be working on was numb as evidenced by putting dry ice on my tooth. However my brain that was in fear mode could not reconcile that I could possibly be feeling some pain and that pain not being from the area he would be working on. So I was sent home with 600 mg ibuprofen every 6 hours plus some "sedative" to take prior to attempt 2 on Monday. And yes, tooth is lower and right at the back? Number 32 I think.

[Waterman]

I'm pretty sure that I would rather have a root canal then deal with Verizon.

[seawallrunner]

This is a little extreme, and it depends on how much discomfort you are willing to tolerate to get to that point, but here goes. Let the tooth die. It will die a slow death if it is infected right now (and remember to take your antibiotics if it is infected), and at some point you will stop feeling pain in that tooth. And then you can have your root canal without any anesthetic at all. That is what I had to deal with - a front tooth infection, and then the nerve died; and then I had a root canal without any needles.

[tmatlack]

Thanks to Gray Matter for professional internet medical advice...always welcome. For all the reasons listed, both mine were horrible. Low tolerance for high heat, burning, smoking, pus exploding, dentist cussing, 3 hours of hell. General dentist trays and floors littered with novacaine vials...I urgently suggested she contact some of my high school students and buy some of their pain killers!!! Neck and shoulders ached for days due to tension. True story. I have loved all my dentists; I have loathed all their dentistry. I have very tusky teeth and they are happiest left alone. Tom

[treeswarper]

I've been to two specialists, one in Tacoma, one in Corvallis and then had regular dentists do root canals-- one in Randle. No physical pain. The Tacoma specialist insisted that I must watch part of the procedure on the TV on the ceiling. I closed my eyes and refused. I suspect my tooth is part of seminars he puts on because it was odd and difficult, which is why the Randle dentist sent me there. The big pain was to the bank account. Major pain there. The Tacoma guy awarded me with a $20 dollar gift certificate to Subway, but I noticed my bill had $20 as the last two digits. Makes sense, I guess.

[cascadeclimber]

[Bedivere]

[Roly Poly]

Happy to report that attempt number 2 worked.