We're in the boat mallyh but I'm week a week or two in front of you. I had an abscess in mine and the dentist gave me a five day course of antibiotics before starting the nitty gritty, had the whole thing drilled out and cleaned up yesterday and medication inserted before a temporary filling, have to go back in a couple of weeks to have it finished off. Is it painful? not really but it ain't very pleasant sitting there hearing and feeling the drill. Now the good news, I've had quite a bit of pain and discomfort in the last couple of weeks but now it's all gone and I've just enjoyed an icecream. You're not in the chair that long and it ain't painful so just put up with it and enjoy the results. Good luck.