I hada root canal done two months ago and I am still feeling discomfort in that tooth. Not sure if this is TN stuff I am feeling or something was not done completely right in the root canal procedure. Has anyone had similar experiences?
It is possible that they missed a canal. A high resolution CT would show that.
He took a special xray after and showed me the before and after. He is an endo and not a regular dentist. I do not have pain really just discomfort. I really am considering having the tooth pulled.
TRY antibiotics one more time. If you feel pressure and ache on a root canal tooth it might me an infection. If the antibiotics take away the discomfort then you will probably have to have it redone or pulled. You may also want to get x-ray's again by your dentist or endo. It might show a new infection.
If it's a front tooth I probably would want to try and save it, either by having the the root canal done or surgery where they take out the root. It's called an apicoectomy. It looks worse online than if feels. I've had two done. If it's on a back tooth and my insurance is maxed out I might go for the pull.
When ever I felt a sort of pressure on a tooth that had a root canal it was usually an infection, but that's me.
I had an endodontist do my root canal. I could tell something was wrong, so I went back three times. I even got a CT but he couldn't see anything. Finally I went to UCLA and got a CT via a Morita scanner, and there it was, plain as day, the fourth root that the endodontist missed.
Don't pull the tooth unless there is evidence of cracked tooth, etc. Was the tooth a molar, and if so, how many roots did the endo find and fill? Most molars have three roots/canals, but we're learning that more than 40% have a fourth canal.
I think I might (or hopefully?) be going through something similar to Crystalv's explanation above. I recently had 2 root canals done, 1 upper, 1 lower, after a very long wait (too long maybe) after discovering infection (cost was a big factor with the wait). During the upper RCT, I noticed pain when the dentist simply touched my nose or lip, but the pain felt as though he was working on the tooth.
They said they found 3 canals on the upper, 1 of which was hidden, but now I'm wondering if it's possible there's a 4th, being the upper tooth is the main trigger for these attacks now (it wasn't before the dental work, actually, I didn't have these attacks before RCT). I'm starting to wish I'd just had the teeth pulled instead (I did have one pulled that was beyond hope).
I've been to the ER this week, they did a high contrast dye spiral CT scan and came back with the TN diagnosis. I didn't know to ask about a possible root canal problem. Called my local dentist (not the one that did the RCT) and his opinion is that if that's what the ER said, then that's what I have, no referral to an endo for a 3D type scan to check.
I started Carbamazepine yesterday but it doesn't do anything without several other pain killers on top of it. Does this sound familiar as a possible misdiagnosis? I can't put any pressure on the upper tooth without pain when eating or take a drink of any liquid other than near room temp milk 80% of the time without the shooting pain starting in that tooth's area (the lower is a bit less sensitive ), that is when I have enough meds in my system to try to eat......
I should add I'm also a long term TMJ sufferer. Which was one of my first thoughts when it came to the pain after the RCT.
This was exactly how my a-typical pain starated. I insisted they pull the tooth after the root canal. From there the quality of my life went downhill. Sorry to say that, but like Crystalv said, it is possible they missed a canal or hit a nerve. I'm so sorry and hope you recover soon
I was one of those patients who seemed to always have 4
crystalv said:
I had an endodontist do my root canal. I could tell something was wrong, so I went back three times. I even got a CT but he couldn't see anything. Finally I went to UCLA and got a CT via a Morita scanner, and there it was, plain as day, the fourth root that the endodontist missed.
Don't pull the tooth unless there is evidence of cracked tooth, etc. Was the tooth a molar, and if so, how many roots did the endo find and fill? Most molars have three roots/canals, but we're learning that more than 40% have a fourth canal.
I will be seeing the endo again at the end of the month to double check things. Ryguy, I found relief from the Carba after about three or four days. Hang in there and continue to build your med level. Thanks for all your helpful advice.
It sounds like a cracked tooth RyGuy. I would suggest getting another endo to take a look at it. You don't have to tell him your diagnosis, just ask for a second opinion and see what he or she says. Tell the new endo your symptoms and see what they recommend. Believe me, after your first week on Tegretol you'll be hoping it's your tooth. If it is a cracked tooth, it will have to come out. But pain pills don't usually work all that well for TN which makes me think that if the pain pills work for you except when you bite down, that it's a cracked tooth.
If after the first week on carb (tegretol) the pain does go away then you will know that it IS TN. But it could still be TN if it doesn't work, just possibly ATN. But try a new endo for a exam first.
RyGuyUSA said:
I think I might (or hopefully?) be going through something similar to Crystalv's explanation above. I recently had 2 root canals done, 1 upper, 1 lower, after a very long wait (too long maybe) after discovering infection (cost was a big factor with the wait). During the upper RCT, I noticed pain when the dentist simply touched my nose or lip, but the pain felt as though he was working on the tooth.
They said they found 3 canals on the upper, 1 of which was hidden, but now I'm wondering if it's possible there's a 4th, being the upper tooth is the main trigger for these attacks now (it wasn't before the dental work, actually, I didn't have these attacks before RCT). I'm starting to wish I'd just had the teeth pulled instead (I did have one pulled that was beyond hope).
I've been to the ER this week, they did a high contrast dye spiral CT scan and came back with the TN diagnosis. I didn't know to ask about a possible root canal problem. Called my local dentist (not the one that did the RCT) and his opinion is that if that's what the ER said, then that's what I have, no referral to an endo for a 3D type scan to check.I started Carbamazepine yesterday but it doesn't do anything without several other pain killers on top of it. Does this sound familiar as a possible misdiagnosis? I can't put any pressure on the upper tooth without pain when eating or take a drink of any liquid other than near room temp milk 80% of the time without the shooting pain starting in that tooth's area (the lower is a bit less sensitive ), that is when I have enough meds in my system to try to eat......
I should add I'm also a long term TMJ sufferer. Which was one of my first thoughts when it came to the pain after the RCT.
i had a couple of root canals recently ... they were actually second root canals on teeth that i had when i was a teenager (# 7 & 8) ... i was experiencing shooting pain in my face, went to the dentist, X-rays taken, diagnosis was two abscesses ... an endodontist performed the work ... i have been on antibiotics three times, same one, same strength, and i still have the infection ... i feel that if i get the infection taken care of, the pain will go away ... i see the endodontist again this week ... he keeps telling me that i dont need to change the strength of the antibiotic ... he wants me to have oral surgery if the meds dont work
There was 1 tooth that I was told by another dentist that was "fractured" (I think he meant cracked) but the RCT dentist didn't find a problem with it (another dentist said it would be good for that tooth to get a crown), it's the only one left with a metal filling. It would be a relief if that was the actual problem (as anyone dealing with this type of pain knows already). However, that tooth is 2 or 3 teeth behind the those on the same side that seem to be ultra sensitive (maybe it could be referred pain, dunno).
So far though, I've been told by 2 Endo's that I need a referral from a dentist, even though I'd be paying for it.
As for pain meds, the only thing that seems to make eating tolerable is hydrocodone with a few added or no hydro and a LOT of different meds combined (then it still doesn't really get rid of it, including that Carba thing at 100mg). I have Clonazepam and Zanaflex to add (which I have) they don't get rid of the pain but seem to boost things like hydro or ibuprofen (yes, I know it's a lot, but it's that painful).
Nice to see a fellow dog lover btw lol (not that those without dog pictures don't love dogs of course lol).
I really have to admit, I don't know how others live with this type of pain, if TN is what I have, I can sure see why it's been given a certain nick name (that thought has crossed my mind a couple times when thinking about this as a life long torture).
rebecca,
I went through the same thing recently. Three different anti-biotics and a redo of a root canal - still had the pain - that's when my dentist suggested I go to a neurologist. She listened to my symptoms and put me on Trileptal and the pain was gone. I have type one TN but I swear it felt like an infection in my tooth that had a root canal.
I've also had the surgery he's talking about. If you look it up on the internet it looks terrifying. but it's not that bad. If he opens it up and it is an infection, he can drain it. An infection can just lay in wait unless it is actually drained. I had one root canal done, after being on an antibiotic, and when my endo opened the tooth up we could all smell the infection. The antibiotic didn't kill it all, it killed enough of it to take away the pain but it would have come back and back and back. It had to be physically opened to get the pus out.
This is just two ways it can work.
I'm still on antibiotics, so I may have to wait and see if they help. The ER said the CT didn't show any sign of bone infection at least, don't know about the tooth infection (I would think the CT they did would show EVERYTHING loud and clear but who knows?).
A Z-pac antibiotic got rid of similar pain (around the teeth, didn't have the additional fact pain at that point) a couple or so months ago. As for antibiotics, I've been on at least 4 know over the last year or so, 3 of which just in the last 6 months (amoxicillin did nothing btw). Have just over a couple days to go on the Clindamycin now (2nd consecutive round).
ryguy,
what about going to another dentist? They can also do x-rays and see if the tooth is fractured. You don't need an endo to make this diagnosis. If it is fractured it will have to be pulled. Plus it's cheaper. Perhaps that first dentist was right, can you go back to him/her to do another evaluation?
CT can't always see infections.
OT: I have three greyhounds and they basically rule my life.
The original dentist (my main one for years) is the one that said the ER diagnosis is pretty much final... The other one I may try to see again, I haven't explained this info to him yet (and he's actually a better dentist from what I hear). The odd thing is, that dentist (if I remember right, he meant the same tooth with the metal filling) said it could be saved with a crown. Seems odd, but I could see him again I think and find out. The teeth on the right side are ok so far at least lol (knock on wood).
OTreply: Greyhounds are usually a bit energetic if I remember lol. The velcro doberman in my avatar is dangerous, if he doesn't fear someone, he could actually approach them and lick them to death.
Thanks again so much for the input, it's very helpful.
ot greyhounds are NOT energetic. They sleep - a lot- they will run, perhaps 30 seconds and decide it's time for a nap. They are great for people in apartments because they need so little exercise and they are so sweet. Bark little and though they are big, will stand behind you because you are there to protect them. Much like your doberman, velcro dogs. People always think they are energetic because they race but they are very very lazy. Perfect for older people who can't walk well or want a low maintenance dog.