Root canal for Dummies

A recent dental checkup uncovered a bit of an issue with a tooth, and the recommended intervention was a standard root canal. The dentist, who shall remain anonymous for fear of further torture, was from Denmark, and had the bedside manner of a constipated hyena. While greeting her, I had an injection forced down my throat, and while my tongue started to lose feeling, I wondered if I had made a serious error of judgement. My mouth was not given too long to lose sensation, and the procedure began slightly too soon for my liking.

Initially I felt that I would get through no problem, but as we approached the nerve removal stage, I began to worry. The equipment used is like a small hook, and the action is one of repeated forced scraping, in the hole that had just been drilled into my tooth/head. The scraping continued for 30 minutes, and came to an end with a pain of immense proportion. During the procedure I was gripping onto the chair, sweating, trying desperately to imagine myself in another place and time. At one stage the song 'stuck on you' , by Lionel Richie came on the radio, and reminded me of our recent honeymoon in the seychelles, but this lasted only a few seconds, and I was suddenly jerked back into reality.

Many of you may have had root canal before, and each has most likely had a very different experience. I can honestly say that I have never felt as much pain before, and hopefully will never again.