Anyone in dentistry- severe pain in back tooth (crown over root canal)

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I had a root canal 6 years ago and a crown fitted- no issues since. 2 days ago I’ve started with what was an ache and now severe pain in that tooth. I can see a line of black/dark along the top of the crown on the inside. I’m very conscious and brush well and had a check 6 months ago which was all fine so can’t imagine it’s cavity/plaque but WHY is it so painful???
I’ve been taking co-codamol, couldn’t get an OOH dental appt so will contact my dentist first time tomorrow but I’m worried about what it is and how £££ it might be to rectify! Any dental people out there why would it suddenly start hurting? Not hold/cold sensative but very painful when pressure (eg biting on something) and generally achey. Thank you!!

Hi, it sounds like a cavity, only I'm unsure why it is hurting, when you have had the tooth root canalled. I'm guessing a possible infection under the crown causing gum pain/referring to the nerves in the nearby teeth, a possible failed root canal could be the cause as well (they can apparently fail years later). Sometimes a canal hasn't fully healed and can get bacteria in and become infected.

Tips for pain control until you get to see the dentist:

ORAJEL 20% max, rub this around the affected tooth and it will numb the area, clove oil is also good.

Take dissolvable sulphadeine plus (2 tablets in water). I highly recommend adding strong squash too as it tastes awful.

2 hours later, take 2 x fast acting gel ibuprofen.

This is the only method that so much as I took the edge off when I had toothache so severe I wanted to rip my tooth out.

I don't envy you, op. It's awful and one of the worst pains. Hope you get it sorted ASAP!

Potentially an abscess in the space above your crown?

I had a failed root canal, started on a Friday night and by Sunday it was so painful I genuinely considered pulling it out myself with pliers.

I phoned my dentist first thing Monday morning, they claimed to not have any appointments so I went and sat in the waiting room from 9am and told them I’d wait all day if I had to, to see if there were any no shows. The dentist had me in his room by 9.15am, and ultimately the tooth had to come out.

Don’t be fobbed off tomorrow!!

Thank you so much everyone. I’m going to ring ring ring tomorrow and beg to be seen asap. When I google everything’s about recent root canals becoming infected etc there’s not much on stuff happening years later so useful to hear it does happen. Tooth ache is just the worst!

The black line may well be where the crown is bonded to the metal... nothing to worry about (mine look like that)
But good luck at the dentist... you have my sympathy!!

I had a failed root canal in October. I think my root canal and crown was around 5/6 years old too.
I was given antibiotics and it cleared up, a few weeks later I developed an abscess on the gum of the same tooth and was given more antibiotics. Next time it happens he will take the tooth out but he wanted to give it a chance first.

I had a root canal and crown which started giving me pain years later. It was an infection under the crown, I had to see an endodontist, who specialise in deep root canals and severe canaries. He sorted it thankfully.

*cavities, not canaries 😂

Thanks all I have an appointment at 2pm today. My dentist couldnt do the root canal last time, had to refer me to an endodontist but I hope regardless she can do something to help with the pain today I am in agony!

Had the appt- dentist thinks root canal may be failing. Trying course of antibiotics but otherwise sounds like tooth may need to be removed. SHe didnt recommend another root canal and also didnt suggest an implant just said as a back molar itll be fine to remove.
I reallly hope the abx work Im only early thirties I really dont want to lose a tooth but I cant live with this pain!

Infection for sure. Pain on pressure is a dead giveaway. The black line is normal, all crowns get that if the gums recede.

Take the ABs and floss it brutally with tepe brushes and dental tape, it could be a piece of food debris getting stuck that caused it.