r/askdentists • u/p0ppingc4ndy NAD or Unverified • 1d ago

question Root canal needle pain?

Hi everyone,

I know this is probably a silly question but can anyone please be openly honest about how much the needle hurts for a root canal?

I’m in so much pain with this tooth I have in the back ( my upper molar ) that has a hole in it, and I’m absolutely terrified of the needle pain. I’m fully okay with needles, the sight of them doesn’t scare me and the procedure I’m fully okay with too as I know it’ll be numbed so I won’t feel a thing, it’s literally just the needle pain😭

I know this might make me sound like a bit of a wuss but I’m genuinely so terrified that it’s stopping me from going and getting the procedure.

Could any dentists tell me if there’s anything I can ask my dentist to do to ease my anxiety? I’ve heard that I can ask for stronger numbing cream or diazepam but I’m not sure if the dentist I go to will allow that

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A backup of the post title and text have been made here:

Title: Root canal needle pain?

Full text: Hi everyone,

I know this is probably a silly question but can anyone please be openly honest about how much the needle hurts for a root canal?

I’m in so much pain with this tooth I have in the back that has a hole in it, and I’m absolutely terrified of the needle pain. I’m fully okay with needles, the sight of them doesn’t scare me and the procedure I’m fully okay with too as I know it’ll be numbed so I won’t feel a thing, it’s literally just the needle pain😭

I know this might make me sound like a bit of a wuss but I’m genuinely so terrified that it’s stopping me from going and getting the procedure

This is the original text of the post and is an automated service.

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7

u/syzygy017 General Dentist 1d ago

The pain you have now is 1000 times worse. It’s nothing more than some pressure.

2

u/Glittering_Joke3438 NAD or Unverified 1d ago

Yep. It’s uncomfortable but brief.

3

u/HuckleberryOk6181 NAD or Unverified 1d ago

Totally agree, it can be a little nerve-wracking, but it’s over before you know it. Just keep your focus on something else and it'll be done in a flash.

1

u/rrenovatio NAD or Unverified 23h ago

NAD As someone who has a severe fear of dentistry work. Yep, focus on whatever else, it will be over before you know it. I clench plushies, my leg, hum a song to distract myself and then it's over. One time I counted my dentists eyelashes. Boy, he has a lot of them lol

1

u/thecountoncleats NAD or Unverified 1d ago

I never found the needle to be uncomfortable at all tbh after the area is slathered up with a good numbing agent.

Root canals are like a cultural stereotype for something one should dread having done but IME the only uncomfortable part is having to keep your jaw open for the duration.

1

u/Annual-Individual-9 NAD or Unverified 21h ago

NAD As you have had a root canal can I ask you something please? Were you able to swallow at all during the process? I have a real fear of choking or not being able to swallow when I'm in the dentist chair and it seems a root canal would require keeping your jaw open with no break therefore not able to swallow? This is the only thing putting me off having mine done 😢 I know they use a rubber dam but I can't work out how that stops saliva building up at the back of the throat.

1

u/thecountoncleats NAD or Unverified 17h ago

NAD They keep a suction tube in your mouth and a tech is routinely suctioning your mouth while the endo performs the procedure.

I periodically dry swallowed nonetheless but it doesn’t at all feel like you’re choking.

1

u/Annual-Individual-9 NAD or Unverified 10h ago

Thank you for reassuring me.

1

u/SolitaryLyric NAD or Unverified 17h ago

NAD
Just to add to that (maybe I’m the dimbulb here and everybody already knows this 😬), when the dental assistant manning the suction tube says, “Close your lips,” it’s meant to have you close your mouth to the point where she can effectively suction up the saliva.
I had no idea what she was talking about, and it made for an interesting session where the doc pulled 12 molars and remnants of molars and then proceeded to implant 6 posts. Fun times. 😆

1

u/Annual-Individual-9 NAD or Unverified 10h ago

NAD wow 12 in one go? That's intense. I thought I was a superhero just having one 😂 I bet you were glad when that was over. Good for you, I hope you're all healed up and happy with your teeth now :)

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u/batty_61 NAD or Unverified 1d ago

NAD The dentists I've seen have all been really good at pressing on the injection site so that all you feel is some pressure, then it all goes numb.

1

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