Root Canal Needed — My Tinnitus Is Worsened by Noise

[Louise]

Do you think though that would result in double the sound?!! Not that you'd hear it double due to the netting off effect but youve actually had 2 lots of sound go in instead of 1?

 

[Louise]

@Ed209 Agree. My dentist has five rooms, but only one room has a laser. It also does take longer and he had to use a drill for a short time.
@Louise My slight hearing loss may have been from the somatic association of dental whiplash and not from the laser. They did have that suction device in use for most of a hour and that was loud.
The headphones that I use are Howard Leigh - 24 decibel protection. I find if I wear my Peltor X5A too long, I get a temporary spike for a day or two.

Thanks Greg. Even if the drill time is reduced it's better than nothing.

Last time I went I got them not to use the suction thing only quickly every now and then when mouth filled up.

 

[flobo]

Do you think though that would result in double the sound?!! Not that you'd hear it double due to the netting off effect but youve actually had 2 lots of sound go in instead of 1?

Well, from a purely science pov, no.

If you add a -249V voltage to 250V voltage, you get a harmless 1 V voltage.

That's the idea.

I have a signal processing background i KNOW it's the way it works and you get less sound at the end.
But even there, even knowing how it works, the idea scare me as well so i understand your fear.

 

[Tinniger]

There's been something on the subject here before:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/should-i-wear-earplugs-at-the-dentist.17289/

 

[Louise]

Well, from a purely science pov, no.

If you add a -249V voltage to 250V voltage, you get a harmless 1 V voltage.

That's the idea.

I have a signal processing background i KNOW it's the way it works and you get less sound at the end.
But even there, even knowing how it works, the idea scare me as well so i understand your fear.

Ah ok. It SHOULD work then. I'll look at those as well tomorrow.

 

[Louise]

There's been something on the subject here before:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/should-i-wear-earplugs-at-the-dentist.17289/

Thanks

 

[Louise]

That's a great thread actually. Consensus seems to be no plugs but do use headphones.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

Thanks Greg. Even if the drill time is reduced it's better than nothing.

Last time I went I got them not to use the suction thing only quickly every now and then when mouth filled up.

Usually they only use the suction thing now and then, but they use it more with a laser that squirts water.

 

[Louise]

Usually they only use the suction thing now and then, but they use it more with a laser that squirts water.

Ah. Thats bad news then. But still quieter than a drill.

 

[Sarah200]

I think tinnitus is one of those things that's a mystery and what affects one does not affect another, I have had dental work since getting tinnitus, I had a wisdom tooth out, no spike afterwards but I think because mine is not caused by noise that's why I did not have a spike.

My advice would be tell your dentist not only about your T but also about your nerves about having the work done. You could wear hearing protection and since your T reacts to noise I would even ask if it could be done bit at a time but also if you are getting too uncomfortable then tell your dentist.

 

[Louise]

I've googled the laser dentistry. It appears there are a fair number of practices that use it in the UK. Here's a quote from one of them;
"Lasers are non-invasive, quiet (so no drilling sound) and have no vibration like a conventional drill."

The practice I took that from seem to do everything with laser but I've contacted them to see if they do root canals.

This is the place I've contacted, they are about 2 hours from where I live... http://www.smilecreations.co.uk/laser-dentistry/

Fingers crossed....

 

[DebInAustralia]

Hi,

Just wanting to know if anyone has any advice for me in how to reduce the noise of having a root canal done?

I had a small filling 2 years ago and the noise of the drill made the Tinnitus permanently worse.

The only alternative is to have the tooth out rather than root canal.

All I can think of to minimise the noise is to do it in small stages, like a small amount of drilling every hour until it's done. That way I wouldn't be exposed to all the noise in one go.

Hi Louise,

I totally get your predicament.

I have needed to have lots of drilling (removed my amalgams) 2 root canals, and one molar extraction. Everytime, I would dread it for fear my t would get worse. Fortunately for me, it didnt, but I know several people on this forum who have reported worsening noise.

I know you wrote that you need a root canal. I will say that I have sought second opinions, and have been able to avoid them in the past. Is this an option? Have you been told that your root is no longer viable?

Ear plugs gave me some comfort but I know they dont protect you from bone conduction noise.

The ear phones that Greg suggested sound like a good idea, as does the laser (if that is a possibility)

Maybe consider taking some nicotinamide riboside pre and post your treatment too (given its been shown to be ototoprotective)

As I have been suffering with stealth infections myself, I have to wonder now if the root canals I had were a good move; given all i now know about the possibility of trapped infections in the socket. How do we know that it is this infection that causes t in some people and not necessarily the actual procedure?

either way, please let us know how you get on. I hope you have found yourself an understanding and sympathetic dentist, who will be considerate of your predicament.

 

[Louise]

Hi @DebInAustralia, thanks for the lovely post. Did you manage to check my post prior to yours where I've found laser dentistry?

I actually know nothing about root canals other than a quick look at the procedure on the net after a local dentist told me that's what my pain was about and he was right about what followed.

It started just over a week ago, excruciating pain shooting through most of my teeth on the right side and up into my jaw and towards my ear. It got worse and worse for 6 days then subsided quite suddenly. I saw the dentist on day 4 and he told me what I was describing was the nerve in a tooth dying and that what would happen would be the nerve would die and then the pain would stop, then I'd start to feel pain just in the one tooth when I bite. All of that has happened as he said. He said the only resolution to it is root canal or extraction.

He isn't my normal dentist, as I moved location and my usual guy is 2 hours away. But, everything he said has come to pass and I also ran it all past my usual dentist who said everything the local guy had said was accurate but that we do need to check it's definitely a root canal needed.

The 'offending' tooth is sort of throbbing now in the tooth itself and if I bite on it just that one tooth hurts.

This is my introduction to root canals. The pain of that nerve dying was unlike anything I've ever known. Just excruciating. On the last night before it died the pain was so bad it made me nauseous and I felt weak and almost passed out twice. Just through the intensity of the pain.

Please God I dont get another like that!

 

[yonkapin]

Maybe have some oral corticosteroids like prednisolone on hand post treatment to limit any possible damage to your hearing.

 

[Louise]

Maybe have some oral corticosteroids like prednisolone on hand post treatment to limit any possible damage to your hearing.

Another good idea. Though if it can be done 100% with laser dentistry there may be no need as no noise?

 

[Veronica]

@ Louise sorry if this is a dumb idea, but what about wearing earplugs ?

 

[Veronica]

Has your T improved ?

 

[Louise]

@ Louise sorry if this is a dumb idea, but what about wearing earplugs ?

Hi, earplugs were discussed above.

 

[Veronica]

Hi, earplugs were discussed above.

Sorry love ! Has your T gotten better ?

 

[Anselmo]

@Louise: I have a simple solution, have them knock you out with nitrous oxide ( sometimes called laughing gas ). Most dentists can use minimal sedation or pills. Don't hesitate to ask your dentist, if you have questions.

 

[Louise]

Sorry love ! Has your T gotten better ?

No, it's gotten worse Just is the way with it - multiple worsenings over time

 

[yonkapin]

Another good idea. Though if it can be done 100% with laser dentistry there may be no need as no noise?

Not sure, haven't looked into the laser dentistry stuff myself!

In my case - I have a stock of prednisolone from my GP that I asked to have handy in case of any sort of auditory damage, he was more than fine with it.

Maybe talk with your GP or dentist about your concerns and take it from there.

 

[Louise]

Not sure, haven't looked into the laser dentistry stuff myself!

In my case - I have a stock of prednisolone from my GP that I asked to have handy in case of any sort of auditory damage, he was more than fine with it.

Maybe talk with your GP or dentist about your concerns and take it from there.

Its a good idea to have a stock of Prednisolone.

What dose do you take if you think you may be exposed and after you know you have?

 

[annV]

If you are that worried, safer to take the whole tooth out.

 

[Tweaker]

I've googled the laser dentistry. It appears there are a fair number of practices that use it in the UK. Here's a quote from one of them;
"Lasers are non-invasive, quiet (so no drilling sound) and have no vibration like a conventional drill."

The practice I took that from seem to do everything with laser but I've contacted them to see if they do root canals.

This is the place I've contacted, they are about 2 hours from where I live... http://www.smilecreations.co.uk/laser-dentistry/

Fingers crossed....

Hopefuly you will get a response from them on Monday. This place is about 30 miles from where I live, so I would consider going there myself, if I needed drill work.

 

[Tweaker]

No, it's gotten worse Just is the way with it - multiple worsenings over time

It's good to see you posting on the forum. Like you, mine has worsened with time and is pretty much unbearable these days. I am just trying to hang on for the sake on my kids. Another 7 years and they will both be adults.

 

[Louise]

It's good to see you posting on the forum. Like you, mine has worsened with time and is pretty much unbearable these days. I am just trying to hang on for the sake on my kids. Another 7 years and they will both be adults.

I'm really sorry to hear that.

If I find anything that helps me you'll be the first to know. So far Pregabalin for anxiety and last summer Ketogenic Diet did lessen it until someone hammered in my house and it increased. It was just one day after about 2 months Ketogenic I thought, hey that's quieter than normal isnt it? I was congratulating myself and literally the next day my friend did the hammering.

Please do hang in there.

 

[Tweaker]

I'm really sorry to hear that.

If I find anything that helps me you'll be the first to know. So far Pregabalin for anxiety and last summer Ketogenic Diet did lessen it until someone hammered in my house and it increased. It was just one day after about 2 months Ketogenic I thought, hey that's quieter than normal isnt it? I was congratulating myself and literally the next day my friend did the hammering.

Please do hang in there.

Its interesting the ketogenic diet helped you. Keep it up. I may look into it myself. Worth trying anything that may help. Sorry you had an incident to set you back. Hopefully your T will lessen again.

 

[Sam Bridge]

I have had 3 fillings done since i got t and it was fine each time. The drill didn't sound too loud to me, the pitch of it was more annoying. I think in total she drilled for 40 seconds total but not in one go. It was more like 10/20/10 second bursts. I guess it depends on what drill your dentist has etc.

How much drilling is needed for root canal?

 

[Tamara]

Bose is for low pitched sounds.