The Root Canal Doctor



Sooo Friday I had two root canals. Yes, you read that right. Two root canals on the same day. On the same tooth.

It was a day that went from bad to worse to worser, before ending up feeling like victory.

It began with molar #3 and what felt like a pus bag under my right eye. My entire jaw ached. I went to the dentist and she said it looks like you need a root canal. Somehow that information sounded comforting because it was at least an answer to the pain. She sent me home with a script for antibiotics. Thus, began my search for a dentist who performs root canals on people with no money.

I found someone who goes by The Root Canal Doctor on the internet here in Chicago. Maybe I’ve read too many books about the holocaust, but a doctor dedicated to root canals? His website said to just sit back and relax—I’d be in good hands. Again, the words relax and root canal seem like an oxymoron. One is not like the other.

At noon Friday I hopped on my bike and after a block it began to sprinkle. I could deal with it because I told myself if I was late I’d be fined $50. If they had to reschedule me it would be an additional fee. I wasn’t going to be late because The Root Canal doctor was the cheapest in the city. By the time I cleared an intersection the sprinkles had become a full-blown rain. After a mile the rain was a down pour and yet I kept going. I really really wanted this root canal. I arrived soaked through and through.

In the pouring rain I rushed into an office. The woman behind the desk was completely sympathetic. You poor thing! Can I get you anything? I asked for a coat; I was shivering. We chatted pleasantly for a few minutes and I thought this place is GREAT! Finally I counted out $385 dollars in cash onto the counter. She looked confused. What’s this? I panicked—did they need more? For the root canal, I answered.

We’re Root Realty. You need the office next door. Sheesh in the rain all I could see was the word ROOT on the window out front. I snatched up the soggy bills and left in a hurry. I was worried about being late.

After being buzzed in next door I took a seat and filled out a form and handed over the money once more. I left puddles wherever I stood or sat. On the way down the hallway to his office my shoes made squish-squish sounds. I apologized to the dentist telling him I was soaking wet. No problem! We have plastic on the seats.

I begged for a towel I saw in a cupboard. So as I sat shivering beneath a towel and that heavy apron you wear when being x-rayed I had the feeling I was about to mildew. He probed and prodded and kept up a running verbal commentary that in all his years of practice as The Root Canal Doctor he’d never seen a tooth as bad as mine. Yet he seemed enthusiastic. He’d give it a go.

Thanks.

Yet . . . in the end my tooth defeated him. In total after an hour and a half and leaving part of an instrument that broke off in my tooth (no worries he assured me, it's titanium, it'll be okay) and chipping pieces of the tooth as he attempted to drill deeper into the roots, and after pronouncing that this was the worse case he’s ever worked on he gave up. Oh, and he also said my tooth was killing his instruments. A quote: it’s eating my tools. I imagined a monster. I’ve never seen a dentist so glad to hand back money. He said I can’t do this. No root canal, no money. He seemed genuinely sad and perplexed.

So I left, riding home on rain-washed streets feeling like a loser. How did I get to this place?, I wondered. I was old, vulnerable, a contagion. I pedaled slowly, seeing my life flash before me.

Then—at 6:15 p.m. The Root Canal Doctor called me on my cell—do you feel like giving it another go? I can’t stop thinking about your tooth. I’d like to give it another try. I was on my bike in a hot minute. Wow, he said, that was fast. You have no idea how much I want this, I responded.

For another two hours he worked. He asked a couple times, do you need a break? Mostly I shook my head no. Keep going!

The end of the story is: He saved my tooth. He was able to get down to the bottom of two of three roots and clear out the infection. This man is my hero. He gave me clear guidelines for taking care of the tooth after such a vigorous operation and ordered a script for antibiotics if I needed it. I left his office just as the last light was dying in the sky, but I felt so much better.

Before we started for the second time I told him I was a writer. I am often puzzled by how to resolve a scene or how to order words to express exactly what was needed for a story. Editing and root canals, I imagined, are a lot alike. He agreed. Thanks Root Canal Doctor!

Comments

Dora Ingram said…
Wow, that is quite a story. I’ve never known someone to go for a root canal twice in one day, and for the same tooth at that. Anyway, it’s great that the dentist gave it another go, despite being unable to do so at the first try. I guess he didn’t want to leave anything unfinished once he started on something. In any case, I hope you’re doing better now, or at least on your way to a swift recovery. Take care!

Dora Ingram @ CGDDS
Unknown said…
I have always heard that root canals are quite painful, but it sounds like you were in a lot more pain before the procedure. My husband has been having some toothaches, and I think he is going to need a root canal. It's good to know what to expect, and what the procedure entails.

http://www.prestondental.ca/services/root-canal-treatment/
Unknown said…
Two root canals on the same tooth? That’s intense. Seems like it has a grave, deep problem that probably requires at least a dental x-ray, and a few more check-ups. It’s great that it was resolved properly, even if it took a second operation and another appointment on the same day. Thanks for sharing this with us. I hope that you are feeling better by now.

Merle Wells @ Gillum Dentistry
Unknown said…
I was the one who had all these myths in my mind swirling before going for a root canal treatment. I couldn't help it because this is what I was told by friends. Wish such blogs existed back then :D Agreed the treatment is long and uncomfortable, but it is not that painful. Thanks to Dentzz Dental
I was handled well by them, suffering from minimum pain.
Unknown said…
Thanks to blog author for wonderful information on root canal which is really good. I liked the post and enjoyed reading it.

Anna Anna said…
Hello Jane…
thanks for sharing this kind of information…
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Anonymous said…
Wow, you are super brave getting two root canals in the same day. You must have a great dentist that you knew would take good care of you. I recently had my first crown and though I was scared, I knew it was something that had to be done and I knew I was in the best place getting it done.

Justene Doan @ A+ Family Dentistry
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mine az said…
You have shared pretty helpful information on root canal treatment. I am suffering with tooth pain and my root canal treatment is under process from Torrance dentist. Got relieved from severe pain within couple of sittings and wish to get well soon.
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