OT root canals

When I had one I was prepared for the worst. It wasn't bad at all. Yes there is some pain, but nothing like the pain before the root canal. I drove myself to and from the procedure, which was quite a ways. Good luck to your friend.

Pati, > Has anyone had one? How did you feel afterwards? I'm asking because a

If she just has a local anesthetic... she should be fine driving. If they have to knock her out... then it might be wise for someone to chauffeur her.

I've had several... all under local anesthetic (just like with a filling) -- and has never been a big deal. But dentists don't bother me... where with some people it triggers major anxiety attacks.

never had a filling, hence not having a clue what she's likely to feel like afterwards, my dental work has been entirely extractions and I've either had bleeding problems or had a general anaesthetic - I've had 22 teeth out, 14 baby teeth, 8 adult.

Cheers Anne

Hi Anne, It all depends on the root canal. I've had many, many. Virtually every tooth left in my head has had at least one and sometimes two root canals. If all goes well, your friend should be fine. But if it's nasty, would sure be nice if she had somebody to drive for her so she can take pain pills and zone out. Just my experience.

Sunny

I think it may actually be illegal, at least in some places, not just inadvisable after a general, I know whenever I've had info about surgery it's usually included something about their must be an adult to take you home and they won't do the surgery unless they are sure there is somone.

Unfortunately she's ended up needing this because she didn't go to the dentist for so long, I hadn't even thought about anxiety, maybe I should be worried about the drive down as well!

My husband is going to offer to drive her, he says he can take his laptop and work whilst she's having it done and he enjoys driving. I kind of wish I could take her as I've heard fabric depot in Portland is fantastic, but I know driving that far is way beyond my limit.

Anne

I had no problem driving afterwards, but I only had a 20 minute drive. Different people are different, and watching her kids might be a good idea.

I actually felt really good leaving the dentist's office, because the pain from my tooth was GONE! Anesthetics are a wonderful thing. :)

fingers crossed, I know it flared up badly at Christmas and she sounded pretty rough when I spoke with her on the phone then, I suspect she knows what she can tolerate and has done her research - though you never really know for sure, last year a friend had to go for a uterine biopsy and a couple of us said to her to take her husband along, which she hadn't planned to do, but after she had it she said she was glad she did as the cramping had been enough to make driving inadviseable and at least with something like that it was a local doctors office and you could call, it's the distance that worries me more, if there is a problem it's an awful long way.

Cheers Anne

Hi Anne-I've had several root canals, and none really made me sick or gave me much after-pain. To be honest, the biggest "pain" about the whole thing is, it just takes an awfully long time, and two visits to complete, THEN you have to go back for the crown. Second most irritating thing is, they're expensive, especially after you figure in the cost of the crown. Good luck! Hope you have a completely painfree experience.

Sherry

My 17 yo DD just had one last Friday. The only reason I had to be with her was because she is not yet considered an adult. She could have driven herself home afterwards. Had to really shoot her up with the Novacaine though. But she was fine and is pain free today.

your right, Anne. it is a long drive from Oregon up to Washington after dental work.

are they are planning or how possible is it she might end up with a general anesthetic? what is her usual pain thresh-hold? is it advisable for her to drive after having a local anesthetic and any pain meds she might need?

if the answer is yes to any one of these, it might be a good idea she has someone go with her for the drive home. call out the troops for the kids, then you can be her chauffer. fingers crossed all goes well for her. j.

"Anne Rogers" wrote...

That's really rather sweet. :)

You don't get a general anesthetic with a root canal, just "novacaine" It numbs your mouth, but doesn't inhibit your brain - so you are ok for driving. What would make her woozie perhaps, are the painpills. I would advise she not take any until she gets home.

I have had 2 and went to work after. No problems. In fact, I didn't take pain pills, just a tylenol or two.

Same with me ... just like getting a filling. I drove 40 miles for it by myself and back. No problem. Lobo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Delete the obvious to reply to me personally. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If she's in relatively good health, and no other dental problems that she's aware of, it should all go well. But --- I don't think she should drive herself. If she decides to drive alone, she should make tentative arrangement to staying overnight, if she realizes she doesn't feel up to the trip home.

I've had 4 root canals, and the first 2 went OK. After the 3rd one, I had to sleep it off for 2 days, taking medium strength pain pills at regular intervals. The 4th (and last) one was a total nightmare and made me decide to never have another one. However, I'm not in very good health, so that may have something to do with it. I've had 3 extractions, because I told the dentist that I do not want another root canal. I explained the problems I had before and he agreed. Now, I need to have some serious dental work done. I will get lower dentures if I have to, rather than go through the affects of a root canal on my body.

You really can't judge by other's experiences. We are all different.

To be on the safe side, she should have someone go with her.

Ren=E9

I concur. When I had it done I was in so much pain beforehand that I would have willingly agreed to a head-ectomy as long as it would stop the pain. It was the middle of a long hot summer and I hadn't been able to eat or drink at all for a few days due to the pain, so I was also a little delirious. I don't remember the procedure being painful. I clearly remember the blessed relief of the anaesthetic kicking in.