I get the logic behind retreatment, but honestly, the idea of going through that again makes me cringe a bit... I had a similar issue last year and antibiotics bought me some time, but eventually had to bite the bullet and redo the root canal anyway. Wish I'd just faced it sooner, would've saved myself a lot of stress. But yeah, easier said than done when you're anxious about dental stuff, right?
"Wish I'd just faced it sooner, would've saved myself a lot of stress. But yeah, easier said than done when you're anxious about dental stuff, right?"
Totally get where you're coming from with that anxiety... trust me, you're not alone. I've seen plenty of patients who'd rather do literally anything than sit in the dentist's chair again (one guy told me he'd prefer skydiving without a parachute—seemed a bit dramatic, but I got the point 😂). Antibiotics can buy you time, sure, but they're usually just kicking the can down the road. The infection often creeps back eventually, and then you've got to face the music anyway.
But honestly, retreatments nowadays aren't as rough as they used to be. Techniques and tools have improved a ton in recent years, making the whole experience less cringe-worthy. Did your dentist talk through any sedation options or ways to ease your anxiety? Sometimes just knowing you have options can make things feel way less daunting...
I totally relate to the anxiety you're describing. I put off dealing with a root canal retreatment for months, thinking antibiotics would keep things under control. They did help temporarily, but eventually the infection came back worse than before. Honestly, the anticipation was way worse than the actual procedure itself.
"Wish I'd just faced it sooner, would've saved myself a lot of stress."
Exactly how I felt afterward. The dentist offered sedation options, and I went with mild sedation—made a huge difference. I barely remember the procedure itself, and recovery wasn't nearly as bad as I'd imagined. If you're still on the fence, maybe ask about sedation or anxiety management options... it really helped me get through it without all that dread beforehand.
