My Experience

My dentist saw the beginning of an abscess and recommended I see an endodontist for a root canal. I was quite nervous about going since I had never had a root canal or been to this particular endodontist. But as soon as I stepped into the office, I began to be reassured. The office had very soothing music on in the waiting room along with a tranquil Zen-like water fountain. The staff was exceptionally nice, and there were no other patients there at the time. Soon I was escorted back to the exam room, fitted for a splash bib, and offered magazines to read while I waited for the doctor. She arrived within minutes, and like her staff had a very calm demeanor.

She really took her time introducing herself and explaining what was going to take place. She began by testing the sensitivity of my tooth and found that indeed it had already died. This would make the procedure essentially painless. She was extremely gentle, confirming with various probes, taps, and cold sprays which tooth was affected. Then the assistant took several X-rays of the tooth with a digital X-ray imaging device; the technology emits only a fraction of the radiation of regular X-rays that require film. I was very impressed with the level of technology in her office.

I received a few shots of Novocain, and soon the doctor began the root canal. I have to say I really was amazed at how gentle she was. She used many toothpick-like metal picks to remove debris from the dying portion of my tooth. She had a microscope that allowed her to examine the root canal. More X-rays were taken throughout the procedure, and the root canal was filled and a temporary filling placed on top. I understand that is standard procedure. On my way out of the office, I received a take-away bag with some Advil, a couple breath mints, a pen and instructions for signs and symptoms to watch for over the next several hours.

I felt great after the procedure, but took the Advil as recommended. After the Novocain wore off my jaw was kind of stiff, but that was all. I avoided chewing any food on that side of my mouth for the next day.