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Original poster

Dental - should I wait it out

38 replies

Elliejane · 28/03/2025 08:31

Hi

I would like some advice if possible to see if I am being unreasonable . I started feeling pain a few months ago on my 2nd back lower molar (it already has large filling about half the tooth years ago). Dentist confirmed it had some decay and would need to remove existing filling and then see how bad it was if it needed root canal or an extraction.

Anyway on Monday i had filling removed but the receptionist had not allowed enough space in his diary so he put I think some sort of temp filling . No root canal was done but he said he has removed all decay . I needed 2 injections to numb as it was so close to root a deep filling.

He said i would have some sensitivity and pain this week but it should resolve in 7 days . Next stage if no issues after a week was a permanent crown in 8 weeks time.

However every day I have been in significant pain since injection wore off with no improvement on day 5 now. My pain is on tooth itself (throbbing and aching ), in my cheek and lower jaw (i can feel it very tender to touch my cheek and jaw like someone punched me) radiates to chin and ear and even when i swallow. I also have a ulcer next to tooth that was filled on gum that stings so much.

I went back to see my dentist on Wed who basically said wait another 4 days as I said it would be sore.

He thinks my muscle in jaw might be damaged due to 2 injections and tooth is sore because it was close to root and not necessary have any issues. With the ulcer he asked if I had put anything on gum but all I have used is genigel which I used before many times with no issues so I cant think it is that . Could it be trauma from the filling ?

He said no point taking tooth out as would only make my muscle pain worse and would be more pain .

I am not sure if this is normal or is it the tooth causing it all . I wish i had it removed now and that would been the end of it .

What should I do next . I am worried its not improving and living on painkillers every few hrs is not something I can continue .

I cant sleep and their is not even slight improvement since it was done

OP posts:
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Bignanna · 24/04/2025 12:47

Sorry to hear that, shame you had to lose it but hope you’re feeling comfortable now.

Original poster
Elliejane · 23/04/2025 22:37

Final update tooth ended up getting removed.

OP posts:
Anotherparkingthread · 10/04/2025 17:45

Simplegazette · 09/04/2025 15:58

Ask the dentist if they can treat with an antiseptic or antibiotic paste directly to the root area (mine done this by drilling through then applying an antiseptic- then putting a temporary filling on the tooth) - it's a temporary measure to calm everything while waiting for root canal - I've had 2 like this and it removes the pain for months.

This is really good advice.

I had a very very expensive root canal by a world famous dentist and he actually added something like this inside the tooth which is still there, over a decade ago.

Op please try to save the tooth if you can afford to. Take more antibiotics and codeine in the meantime, may isn't that far away.

Simplegazette · 09/04/2025 15:58

Ask the dentist if they can treat with an antiseptic or antibiotic paste directly to the root area (mine done this by drilling through then applying an antiseptic- then putting a temporary filling on the tooth) - it's a temporary measure to calm everything while waiting for root canal - I've had 2 like this and it removes the pain for months.

DontStopMe · 09/04/2025 14:37

Sorry you're still suffering, having an infection is so painful I can understand you wanting it all over with as soon as possible. My own root canal ended up being very much delayed due to the initial referral elsewhere not coming through, but that wasn't a problem once the infection was gone.
I can understand you wanting it all over with as soon as possible, but if you can wait I think root canal might be better overall. I think it's about ten years since mine was done and I've had no more problems with that tooth.
What did your dentist recommend? Or did they just give you the options?

Bignanna · 09/04/2025 14:25

Elliejane · 09/04/2025 13:37

update

Did another x ray tooth still has infection still given another week of antibiotics. Got extraction booked for 16th April . Offered root canal but no appointment till mid May and cant bear this any more

Dont want to loose tooth but no choice

That’s a shame-is there no way the root canal appointment couldn’t be brought forward?

Original poster
Elliejane · 09/04/2025 13:37

update

Did another x ray tooth still has infection still given another week of antibiotics. Got extraction booked for 16th April . Offered root canal but no appointment till mid May and cant bear this any more

Dont want to loose tooth but no choice

OP posts:
Bignanna · 07/04/2025 20:15

Phone up tomorrow!

Original poster
Elliejane · 07/04/2025 20:08

Update

Got antibiotics last monday as did xray and said maybe slight infection or could just be inflammation from procedure.

Anyway over last week pain improved by about 70% but still needed painkillers but only a few times a day. Was back on Thursday and because things improving he said that it should be ok now and just needed time

Today though its worse again sore to bite on it and pulsing all time. Had to give in and take painkillers .

Surely by 2 weeks (plus 1 week on antibiotics) things should have resolved. Some of my work colleagues saying to be patient but I dont like relying on painkillers

Would you phone back? I feel like they getting fed up with me

OP posts:
Anotherparkingthread · 31/03/2025 21:50

It sounds like the filling is way to I close to the nerve and you need a root canal.

Can you go to a different dentist? The fact they expected you to just go away for another four days with that much pain is shocking.

Don't get it taken out. It can cause bone loss, allow the teeth either side of the gap to move, is unpleasant and it can't be put back. I've got a root canal that was done a decade ago and it's still fine. Definitely worth doing.

TryingToControlMyFinances · 31/03/2025 21:40

so sorry Op. I had a tooth break half off (it was the 2nd tooth from the back at the bottom of my mouth).

It didn't hurt and I could still eat on it.

Then dentist 'fixed' it and whilst it was not agony there was just something wrong and niggling at the tooth. It drove me absolutely nuts and I kept poking at it with my tongue. I was back and forward to the dentist about 6 times and they kept filing bits off and tinkering about with it. I finally lost it and told them to take the half filling out of my mouth. As soon as they did that the niggle went away.

They put a temporary filling in it which I had for about a year and my tooth was totally fine. When they came to put another permanent filling into it I was utterly dreading it thinking Oh no here we go again.

Thankfully it was fine 2nd time round.

They too kept telling me to give it a bit longer when it was bothering me. Listen to your gut. You know when something is wrong.

I have the dentist tomorrow for a check-up. Praying nothing needs done. Not cos of the cost (I had to take out private dental insurance as my dentist went private so it is covered anyway) just cos I hate getting things done at the dentist.

You have my full sympathy.

Bignanna · 31/03/2025 20:24

HellsBalls · 30/03/2025 09:32

A lot of implants have the back history of filling, bigger filling, root canal, crown, extraction.
If a tooth seems troublesome, often the root canal could be wasted money. Certainly that was my experience.
Implant is not cheap, and takes months. I’m abroad but paid @ €3500 in Germany for a molar. It can be gotten cheaper elsewhere.
After years of issues and expense with the original tooth, I wish I’d just gone extraction and implant, and saved the whole root canal failure ordeal and cost.
I’m not a dentist, and that was my only root canal experience. Root canals are usually successful.

Edited

Implants are horrendously expensive, far more than root canal treatment.

Bignanna · 31/03/2025 20:22

gamerchick · 28/03/2025 11:26

I would say speak to another dentist but we all know what that's like these days.

No way I'd put up with that. Tell him to take it out. I'd expect soreness from the injections, my gobs a bugger for them but that doesn't sound right. Does my head in when they insist on fucking about with root canals. Is the price the same for a root canal as it is for an extraction?

I’d save the tooth if possible. A root canal is expensive but worth it. Extraction should be the very last resort!

Original poster
Elliejane · 31/03/2025 19:50

Got antibiotics today and back Thursday if no change

OP posts:
JaneGene · 30/03/2025 09:58

DontStopMe · 28/03/2025 11:50

If you can, go see a private dentist. I had root canal problems, and while my NHS dentist did her best, she didn't have the more specialised equipment that was needed to see what was really going on in the depths.

I desperately needed a root canal and had to save up to go private. Years of pain before that.

HellsBalls · 30/03/2025 09:55

Elliejane · 30/03/2025 09:34

Right now I would pull it myself if I knew how . I am thinking to try to phone that number anyway . Why do they only help if you have swelling ?

Maybe it indicates infection which they can give antibiotics for?
I know dentists would be unwilling to do major work on a new patient on a Sunday. I expect best you can hope for is anesthetic and more powerful painkillers.
You can mix painkillers as I previously mentioned, seek advice.

Original poster
Elliejane · 30/03/2025 09:34

Right now I would pull it myself if I knew how . I am thinking to try to phone that number anyway . Why do they only help if you have swelling ?

OP posts:
HellsBalls · 30/03/2025 09:32

A lot of implants have the back history of filling, bigger filling, root canal, crown, extraction.
If a tooth seems troublesome, often the root canal could be wasted money. Certainly that was my experience.
Implant is not cheap, and takes months. I’m abroad but paid @ €3500 in Germany for a molar. It can be gotten cheaper elsewhere.
After years of issues and expense with the original tooth, I wish I’d just gone extraction and implant, and saved the whole root canal failure ordeal and cost.
I’m not a dentist, and that was my only root canal experience. Root canals are usually successful.

Original poster
Elliejane · 30/03/2025 09:18

My dentist emergency helpline says only to phone if you are bleeding or have visible swelling . I could just cry

OP posts:
Harrumphhhh · 30/03/2025 08:53

I really feel for you @Elliejane. I’ve had ongoing issues with the same tooth and it’s painful and frustrating. Could you call 111 and see if there is an out of hours gp who could prescribe stronger pain meds? Then dentist first thing tomorrow for emergency appt.

Everyone saying “just take it out”, if you’ve been in that situation, what did you do after extraction? I understand that implants are ££££ so I’m waiting for an appt for yet another root canal treatment to try to save the tooth, but if there’s a better option, I’d love to hear it!

Original poster
Elliejane · 30/03/2025 08:47

Really struggling now pain is increasing . Never been so glad to loose an hour. I really hope something is done on Monday.

OP posts:
HellsBalls · 29/03/2025 08:19

@Elliejane “Rubbing on ibuprofen gel too on cheek.”

I’ve had zero success with ibuprofen gel, I just take the tablets. If you’ve had a meal, 400 or 600mg will be fine.
When I went over on my ankle, my doctor said take 800mg 4x per day.
Ibuprofen can also be safely taken with paracetamol. Obviously, I’m not a doctor!

Icannoteven · 29/03/2025 07:56

Gum ulcers can cause significant pain. You could ask a pharmacist or your dentist for some dexamethasone mouth wash (steroid mouth wash) - this stuff is amazing for any sort of mouth sore. I also recommend difflam spray - which is an anti-inflammatory, anaesthetising mouth spray, available over the counter.

As amazing as clove oil is, I would stay away from it if you have gum damage because the risk of chemically burning yourself is too high.

CraftyHappyMama · 29/03/2025 07:39

Phone Helios they sell homeopathic remedies. They are amazing for pain. Explain your problem and they'll send you the remedies 1st class in the post.

Original poster
Elliejane · 28/03/2025 21:39

I am worried about the pain in my cheek and jaw too . Worrying that the muscle is damaged and even if they remove tooth that will still stay sore.

Surely an injection site pain cant last this long and it must be related to the tooth

I feel because there is no visible swelling it is not taken seriously.

Iced tonight , gargled with salt, max pain killers , gel on tooth and still my cheek is aching so much. Rubbing on ibuprofen gel too on cheek.

Even asked chatgpt for help and to be fair it’s pretty good with advice . Said advocate for yourself and just because no visible swelling does not mean no infection. Its feel so swollen to me can hardly touch it feels like a bad bruise would.

😟

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