Root canal - help!!!

[Solicitor123]

Hi- I’m looking for some advice from anyone who has gone through a similar experience / anyone who is valued up on dentistry!

I had a root canal performed about 6 week ago. For the first few days everything felt fine and I was happy. However after about a week I started to get a dull aching pain. I first went to the emergency dentist who took an x Ray and said that everything looked beautiful and even said it should be in a textbook. The pain continue so I went back to my dentist who said that it was just the infection clearing up. Soon enough the dull ache disappeared.

However- for the past month or so I have been experiencing mild pain / discomfort when I chew. It’s not a sharp pain and I can still bare to chew on the tooth if I want to. I sometimes get a toothache after using the tooth to chew, but not always.

I have not experienced any sensitivity to cold / heat.

I became even more worried however because the tooth started to bleed quite a lot whenever I brushed. Today for example I had a lot of blood. When I had a look it seems to be coming from the side of my RC tooth.

I went back to the dentist and told him about the chewing pain and bleeding and again he said that it was still the infection clearing up.

I should add however that he has never taken an x Ray himself! He is quite dismissive of my symptoms and said it can take a year for RCT to heal.

I am very worried because I’m due to go away over Christmas so won’t have any access to a dentist if things get worse. The pain and constant worry has taken a massive toll on me, especially since I have only just started a new job and have had to worry about taking time off to go backwards and forwards to the dentist etc!

I feel like I’m not being listened to by my dentist and that my symptoms aren’t being taken seriously.

Google says that it’s likely a root fracture. I’m so scared.

I had a fracture after root canal, the pain was so unbearable that l could hardly function, my face swelled up, my eyes watered. Is your pain that bad ? If it is go back immediately, l had to be prescribed diazepam to sleep and function until it was fixed. It could be an infection if the pain seems less than this, in which case you need strong antibiotics.
Tooth pain is just horrible, you have my sympathy solicitor.

How long after did it take for your pain to become that bad Ruby? My pain definitely isn’t that bad!!

How long did it take for your pain to become so bad Ruby? My pain definitely isn’t as bad as that!!

I had a root canal 4 years ago, it took a good while for it to feel normal although now it feels like it belongs in my mouth, which it didn't before!. It still bleeds sometimes when I floss and I have a very dull aching pain sometimes, and I would never be able to chew a hard toffee on it for example because I know it would ache. But I have had it x-rayed and it is completely fine! So I just take it that's it'a part and parcel of having a root canal, i.e. it not feeling completely fine (it's not ever painful), just a bit....achey, that's the only way I can describe it, sort of a heavy feeling. I know this isn't helpful but just wanted to share my experience!

Lucky Amy describes how my root canal felt the first time around. It lasted perfectly for about ten years and like Amy felt odd for about 4 months until it healed. Ten years later the dentist did a deeper canal after l had problems with it again. l went into the second procedure knowing that there was a possibility of a fracture and sure enough once the numbness wore off the pain which was excruciating just got worse and worse.
It sounds like the normal pain after a routine root canal to me but l am not a dentist. Having had it done twice to the same tooth l think if was a fracture you would know it. Have an ibuprofen before bed and call the dentist tomorrow.

I had a root canal about ten years ago and the filling falls out quite regularly because the hole is so big. It hurts to bite down on sometimes but isn't sensitive, but it does make my jaw ache. Considering having it out at this point it drives me mad!

Thank you everyone. This has really helped- made me feel like everything is more normal.

Dandy belle, l had it taken out eventually and have a lovely implant. So so relieved no more pain or sensitivity at all. Wish l had done that instead of the second root canal. The dentist really tried to save the tooth but it just made it worse. Don’t be scared if you go down the implant route, quicker and less painful than a root canal !!

RubyViolet thanks for adding that. If I ever have to go in for a second one I think I will go for the implant.

Solicitor123 trust your gut. I can still tell I have a root canal four years down the line. I really honestly do think you have to remember that it's never going to feel 100% like a normal tooth. But if you ever are in really bad pain then go get it seen to. Maybe just give it a while to settle and for you to get used to it, and perhaps try not to chew anything hard on that side for a little while?