I need a t-shirt that says, “I survived my first root canal.” I would proudly wear it around town because the words are true, and I’m here to tell you everything about the procedure went as smooth as the inside of my freshly cleaned tooth canal.
Before – big black hole apparently ate the bottom of my tooth.
This is probably the most xra(y)ted photo I’ve shared on the blog. You can see in this photo the twilight zone like black hole I discussed in this post, which prompted my dentist to think I needed drilling, scrubbing, and plugging.
Naked xray teeth and potentially dirty comments. I’m getting wild today.
In an attempt to not bore those who don’t care, I’ll make this recap quick and dirty.
- I asked if I could see the stuff that was scrubbed out, thinking a linguine like nerve would still be there. It was not, and the endodontist thought I was crazy.
- A needle was shoved into my gum to turn the side of my face into a numb pile of jello. This was the worst of it all. Until I went numb.
- I went numb, and couldn’t tell if I was leaking drool on myself. It was adorable.
- A dental dam was placed on my tooth, which meant it was the now the appropriate time for conversation. At least that’s what the endodontist thought when he kept asked me questions about Starbucks.
- Drills were fired, and holes were made. OK just one hole, right in the center of the tooth. Tooth dust flew like magic fairies in the wind.
- Tiny brushes went in and out, in and out, scrubbing out any residual bacteria inside the canal. There wasn’t much in there. Like an empty saddened soul.
- Tiny files were also pushed in and out of the canal to size for a cone like plug.
- The cone like plug was placed into my tooth to close up the hole, some other stuff, some heat was applied, and the hole was covered.
Bada boom, bada bing.
This process was not nearly as frightening as I anticipated. I was intrigued and totally fascinated by it all. I was able to watch in the reflection of the light a few times and I felt like a kid in a candy store. I think my interest in teeth is returning.
THIS is the end result, like a cool science project. I’m just waiting for the tooth to start spewing lava or something else exciting that kids do at science fairs.
Long story short the procedure was maybe 35 minutes top to bottom, the canal was cleaned, and then it was plugged. After inquiring about the process I was informed the main point of this was to clean and plug the hole so that bacteria cannot grow. Empty spaces are prime spots for bacteria to live. The nerves that usually live within these canals take up the empty space, but mine decided to go on a permanent vacation.
Thus the root canal.
Post procedure I felt completely fine despite not being able to feel my face for a few hours, so I went for a run in the sun and ate as much food as my belly could hold. Including the above cupcake. Recap of my solo foodie adventure in my next post.
I drool in my sleep so this was nothing I couldn’t handle. The only side affect I felt was slight pressure in my ear the next day and some mild inflammation. I literally had zero post procedure pain, and went about my day. It wasn’t at all what I thought.
If you want more, check out this video. Also I’d like to make very clear I did NOT loose my tooth, it’s still very much in tact. Next up – a crown.
Q: Was this at all what you thought? I was terrified for nothing, it was fine. I feel like an elite member of a special club now.
Blissfulbritt 
58 thoughts on “Rooting the Canal”
Blue290
Welcome to “The Club”!!! Next time your face is numb it’s a good time to pick a bar fight….just don’t talk smack, you will sound like a Popeye Villain.
Hayley
hahaha I love the video. Glad you survived the root canal, but I really wish I hadn’t read this post as I was eating breakfast.
jarabie18
Not quite sure how you were able to watch and learn about your tooth while it was happening. I really think they’re going to have to put me under. Still so much anxiety lol!! My teeth hurt jst thinking about it! Hopefully my experience will be as easy as yours!
shellybartz
Good for you !!!! Root canals get a bad rap! They don’t hurt… It’s the pain of the tooth BEFORE the root canal that hurts! Good for you! Now you know not to worry! Bonus… You got a cupcake! Yay!
literaturemistress
Hello!
You just reminded me that I have been needing to go to the dentist for far too long and should probably book an appointment despite the fact that I really don’t share your fascination with teeth and am horrified of dentists – they ALWAYS manage to hurt me. Even after they gave me an injection that supposedly prevents me from feeling anything O.o
Glad your procedure went well! Take care =)
Brittany
When I wanted to be a dental hygienist, I swore I would be one of the few that was GENTLE when cleaning/scraping/and most of all flossing! I hope you make an appointment soon and that it goes smooth and pain free!
literaturemistress
Awww – thank you!
I need to find a new dentist anyway, so maybe I’ll end up meeting one of those ideal dentists you’re talking about?
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Told you there was nothing to it! 😀 Mine honestly didn’t feel any different than getting a filling, and the recovery was pretty painless as well. The needles are definitely always the worst part, but then again I’m terrified of needles, solo there’s that.
kathy at real talk
eep i have yet to have a root canal but as long as the needles aren’t painful and they fill my face with novocaine, they can have at it.
Amy @ A Desert Girl
I think that they teach dentists and such to ask questions while the patient is in the chair with their mouth numbed and open. It certainly comes naturally to all the dentists, etc. that I’ve ever sat for! So glad the procedure went well for you! And that you were fascinated by it. That probably helped. It was fun to hear your voice in the video too!
Brittany
Actually you’re somewhat right, when I was going through applications and such for dental hygiene they emphasized talking to the patients. I always found this to be funny because obviously it’s hard to talk back.
chapeltheresa
Glad to hear things went well 🙂
Annie Emmy Evans
Oh dear God… I didn’t even get halfway through this post before I had to skip to the end. TEETH. I HATE anything having to do with teeth. And working on teeth. Ugh. You are so stinkin’ brave. And I’m really glad everything went well… at least… I’m assuming it did. Right? You’re good, right? You didn’t die or anything? (Like I said, I had to skip to the end…)
Brittany
Bahahaha, yep I’m still alive!! 🙂
Faraday's Candle
OMG!! That is insane. You are extremely brave to even consider being photographed.
50statecanuck
OMG. Best. Video. Ever. That was so awesome!! You crack me up!!
As for you desire to know every step of the procedure…I am the exact opposite. I would like them to just knock me out and be oblivious to it all!! lol
mikeytbull
Ouch! I had this done a while back – both sides! It didn’t end well! …So I’m right with ya sister!
Sue-Ann
Gotta love Novacaine! Thanks for the laugh 🙂
Glad you survived
hannes723
got the procedure as well one year ago. mine was complicated. 5 canals in one tooth and tooth of the very back of the upper jaw. Which meant I had to lie basically upside down for 3 one hour sessions. wouldn’t recommend it. but my dentist got a good science project she said.
Brittany
FIVE CANALS!? OH MY GOSH. I can completely understand your dentists comment about a science project. That sounds like hell for you, but epic for the dentist!
Aja
I have been looking at those pictures and trying to figure out how that tarp and the tooth and all the hardware come together. But I’m glad it’s over for you and that it went fine. and that you got your cupcake after!
lizlicorish
Yay! I’m so glad the procedure went well for you. Honestly, the worst part is usually the anticipation! My dentist told me the best way to flush the Novocain from your system is to get your blood pumping by going for a run! It’s always worked for me. 🙂
amysrecipefordisaster
Congrats! Mine gave me headphones & I kept my eyes closed the entire time time. You curiousity cracks me up.
katalysthealth
Hahaha this is totally something you would share 🙂 I’ve never had one, but I’m sure my time is coming! I would probably keep my eyes closed the entire time. I’m not afraid of that stuff, but I really hate when dentists try to talk to you when you have a mouth full of tools.
Ellie
I would be freaking out the whole time! I hate pain, especially in the mouth. 6 years of braces will do that to ya.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
The video was fantastic. Thank you for that.
Also, tooth dust does not fly like magic fairies in the wind. That shit is a cyclone in the vortex of a volcano.
You should have filled that smoothie with all the bee pollen in all the world because you couldn’t taste it and then your immune system would be top notch.
Brittany
DAMN, you’re an immune system genius and I failed at that opportunity. I have a fuckton of bee pollen in my kitchen too….
Christina Does It All
HAAHAHA that video. I didn’t think I could adore you anymore but now I DO! Glad the root canal stuff went as smoothly as possible!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Ahh when I got a root canal I was also totally freaked out beforehand, but it wound up being not as bad as I had anticipated either! What was definitely worse was when I had to get my wisdom teeth pulled a few years ago. One of my wisdom teeth was growing into my jawbone, so they had to pretty much saw into my jawbone a bit and it was sore for weeks afterwards. Not to mention that they knocked me out for it and I find the dentist to be really stressful and the dentist was really rough even before I got knocked out so I woke up in a total panic that something crazy had happened. Whew, I get anxiety just typing this out and I’m a pretty chill person! Any who, glad that your root canal experience was a-okay… That cupcake looks so yum. I’ve been digging cupcakes lately!
Brittany
I was definitely knocked out for my wisdom teeth too, that was a must. I only wish my mom had recorded me coming out of the anesthetic slump. I heard it was quite comical.
Amanda Afield
Ahh glad it went smoothly! It looks kind of painful but the photos were really interesting!
Shawna
hahaha i love that you had a root canal and promptly ate a cupcake. you are the most adorable ever. i’ve never had a root canal but i’ve had so many surgeries and orthodontistry and the like on my mouth, it probably wouldn’t faze me as much as most people…but let’s hope i never have to find out. 🙂
Jess @hellotofit
Gahhh that video was amazing! Not amazing that you got a root canal, though. You are a champ!! And how can you look that good after having a dental procedure….
An Unrefined Vegan
I LOVE the x-rays. I have to say that this post made me feel so much better about root canals. Don’t get me wrong, I will exhort my teeth to never let me down, but knowing that it’s KINDA like getting a cavity filled makes having the procedure easier to take. For some reason I had this idea that the dentist went rooting around into the gums, you know, making a canal type thing…Yes, I really wrote that.
Brittany
I totally thought there was more to it than this too, or maybe mine was just an easier procedure. Either way I have no complaints! 🙂
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
Oh my gosh I would totally ask to see the stuff too — I love weird stuff like that! I’m glad it all went well, and that you were able to document it so well haha.
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
So was “I Can’t feel the side of muh FaAce” supposed to be in a Borat voice? bc I totally heard it that way. And can I say that I love now knowing what you sound like. Now I read your comments in your voice. So fun. Such a champ you are with the root canal. I, too am a patient that asks toooo many questions.
Brittany
The Borat voice was not intentional this time, but I must admit there was a time in my life where I did purposely talk like that all the time. Not alone of course, but with my best friend. Drove our teachers crazy. HAHA.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
OH SHIT! You just reminded me! I NEED to make a dentist appt!! GAH! I found a groupon… AHHH HA HA AH AHA HA HA AH!
charflew23
I had one of those files stuck in my tooth for a month…the dentist got it stuck in the canal, had to go to endodontist twice for him to get it out. You think you had it bad Britt…you got off easy!
Brittany
AHH, that’s awful. So glad they were able to get it out.
kadeecramer
Every time I’ve gotten dental work done I couldn’t stop laughing at myself and how weird it feels for hours afterwards.. and that’s without laughing gas. :p
Also in dental assisting school I got to shadow my dentist in surgeries for two days and he let me assist in a root canal. It was amazingggggg!!
(sorry if I somehow left like 10 comments, my computer was having a crazy moment!)
P
The video! Haha, so cute! It’s also awesome that you are more fascinated with the process than scared/grossed out by it.
Melanie
Oh, I’ve never had a root canal, but it sounds terrifying! I’m so glad to hear it went well for you though. I’m going to the dentist next month and now I’ll be crossing my fingers! I loved your video BTW!
zackshier
Hi Brittany, I have really enjoyed reading your blog. As a fellow runner I really enjoyed reading about your running endeavors. I also found your blogging for Dummies section helpful 🙂 For this I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Check out the details in my most recent post! Keep up the good and fun work. Great video on this root canal post, really brought things to life.
Brittany
Thank you so much! 😄
Leslie @ TriathleteTreats
Remember I said you would be totally fine!! 🙂 Root canals usually aren’t bad unless you feel it before hand! I can’t believe they let you have pictures of the x-ray! You did an awesome job of describing what happened!! Congrats on surviving! Good news you get to get numb again when you get the crown!! 🙂 Great video too!!
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Rach @ This Italian Family
“I can’t feel my ear!” hahaha! You are so cute! And kudos to you for being such a champ! I had such a bad experience with having my wisdom teeth taken out that I think I’d cry if I was told that I needed a root canal (or really anything other than just a basic cleaning), haha!
jennifer prod
gah, that looks painful! good planning on your part to have an adventure to look forward to all planned out for the aftermath 🙂
di @ life of di.
I can’t handle these photos. I have my first dentist appointment in two years this Thursday. I know I have a cavity or two and I’m freaking out that I’ll have to have a root canal. Also – love the video. You’re hilarious (and so naturally beautiful!)
jejansonius
Thanks for all the photos I just gave my husband a lesson on how root canals are done haha!
allieksmith
Getting a root canal is one of my biggest fears for some reason! I guess because I hear horror stories about them?! I’m so glad your experience was just fine, though!!
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ｒｉｋａ
Well done with your root canal procedure, you made it!!! I’ve never had one before, but I know I will deal with something similiar later in a few months… removing all my wisdom teeth…ouch…have you ever had yours taken out?
Brittany
Yes! I had mine removed about seven years ago, but thankfully everything was pretty smooth overall.
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