What pain is involved in dental procedures?

Hi.





I have a tooth that has been slightly decaying for a while, and has now chipped off a few pieces.





From my research, I will more than likely need either a filling, root canal, or extraction.





What pain is involved in these three procedures?





I am referring specifically to postoperative pain - as I know anaesthesia is given during the procedures.





I hear that majority of people have no problems with fillings, except for sensitivity.





I also hear that root canal treatments are extremely painful! Though the dentists appear to say that most people barely even get mild post-operative pain!





Extractions, I hear mixed opinions about. My mother had one and everything went smoothly. Though, when my sister had one, she came home crying and bleeding for HOURS.





Thank you so much guys, I am really going insane over this.

What pain is involved in dental procedures?
I am assuming competence and experience in your choice of dentists. Root canal treatment has advanced astronomically in the last 20 years. No patient should be afraid of root canals. We expect a root canal to work. Rarely, they do go bad and this what you hear about.


Extractions, for the most part, are done the same way as they were done 100 years ago. Anesthetic is much better. There is an art to extractions that requires a lot of practice. If you feel that your dentist is lacking in the skills of these two treatments, ask for a referral to an endodontist (root canals) or an oral surgeon for extractions.


Post operative pain can vary from none to a lot. The smoother the procedure, the less likely there will be complications. Pain killers and post operative instructions usually make the course pretty uneventful.





DDS of 33 years
Reply:every ones pain tolerance is different I personally have not had a problem with any other than when I had my wisdom teeth removed my husband on the other hand says it hurts when he only has his teeth cleaned he has a very low pain tolerance
Reply:I am talking to you only about fillings. I have had multiple fillings and they are all pretty much the same. The doctor will give you a slight shot in the gums. Now I know that sounds bad, but it really is not. I can't atand pain, and I could even take it. It was nothing but a pinch.
Reply:Hi





I had 3 teeth pulled 3 days ago, I pick this option because of cost, I tell you I had mild very mild pain afterwards I took 2 ibuprohen every 4 hours and was great, still a little tender in the area but have eaten eggs soup and so on, I prefer extraction because there is no more seeing the dentist afterwards for building the tooth up if needed and getting it capped, I had a root canal 10 years ago, when they took pictures of it there is an abcess at the bottom so now I have to have more work done on it


My suggestion if its not a seen tooth or your are not vain have it pulled, less cost less pain and less dentist time. It will take between 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish.





Hope this helps
Reply:The most painful procedure I have ever had was having 10 teeth pulled out all at once! That was by far the worst pain in the whole entire world. My mouth was stuffed with cotton and gums were swollen for two wks and would bleed on and off. I had to eat only applesauce or cottage cheese for weeks until the holes healed up. (I now hate both cottage cheese and applesauce!)