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Original poster

Root canal, normal?

21 replies

Kittens54 · 16/06/2021 06:22

I've been having problems with one of my molars since May last year but couldn't get to see a dentist until January because of covid and having been too long without seeing a dentist.

So now I have a new dentist. Had a filling, all fine until the pain returned and I saw an emergency dentist who did the "first part of root canal" a month ago, and this was fine. On Monday I saw my dentist who told me I would need multiple appointments of root canal and then a crown. All fine.

During the treatment there was pain and dentist seemed surprised and said the emergency dentist must not have taken the whole nerve out so he did this, and then I remember him pushing very hard on my tooth, to get the temp filling in I think. Since then I have been having a lot of pain in the tooth/ surrounding area, it's there all the time but especially when I bite down.

Is this normal? I don't know if/when to call dentist and tell them about the pain. My next appointment for continuing the root canal is in 2 months!

OP posts:
TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 16/06/2021 06:42

When I had a root canal, it was done all in one session and I then had a follow up appointment a week later to check that all was well. The crown was fitted about four months after that to make sure that the root canal work had well and truly settled down.

I do remember pain and sensitivity on that side for a while, and it's never been quite the same as the healthy side of my mouth (it just doesn't feel as robust, iyswim) but the pain and sensitivity did fade.

You have my sympathies: it's not a nice experience.

MyOtherProfile · 16/06/2021 06:44

My root canal took two sessions a week apart. This doesn't seem right at all. If you're still in pain I would call them back.

Conchitastrawberry · 16/06/2021 07:55

I had a root canal. It took 2 or 3 sessions. The pain after was awful until I begged them to take the tooth out. You could have an infection. I’d go back. It’s not normal. I’d never have one again.

Aprilx · 16/06/2021 08:38

It has been a while but I have had a couple of root canals in the past and I think they have been done in one sitting. Other than some tenderness in the area for 24 hours because of the treatment, no further pain. I would have made a second trip only to have had the permanent crown fitted. Dragging out root canal treatment for over two months doesn’t sound right to me.

FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 16/06/2021 08:44

No, but I'm speaking from experience of still having pain from a root canal in February. My dentist says he can't do anything else and has referred me to another who specialises in root canals to see if there's anything he can do. My face is tender running all the way up from the tooth to the eye socket.

I wish I hadn't agreed to get the root canal at all. It cost me over £200 and I'm worse off.

Candyapple49 · 16/06/2021 08:50

Mine was over 2 sessions and then a third for the crown . It was very very sore down the whole side of my face and it hurt to chew . I was told that all of the ligaments which hold the tooth in the nerves in the surrounding tooth are unsetteled and they are causing the pain .
That was over a year ago and my tooth with crown feels perfect .
Don’t panic yet .

BarbarianMum · 16/06/2021 09:23

Mine was done over 2 sessions, the first to apply a pain killing dressing that also worked to kill the nerve, the second about a month later to do the filling. After that I had some discomfort for a week or two but it did settle and has been fine since. That was 3 years ago.

dontgobaconmyheart · 16/06/2021 10:47

They're a bigger OP. It took my root canal a very long time to settle and the experience wasn't great.

If you have a temporary filling in it may be that your bite is wrong and that's causing the pain when you bite. I would certainly call them or look to go back and have it checked for that or for an infection.

Hope you feel better soon

Original poster
Kittens54 · 16/06/2021 12:01

Thanks, my temporary filling is below the level where the tooth was so I don't think that could be causing issues. I think I will call tomorrow if its still painful.

OP posts:
blobby10 · 16/06/2021 12:17

Kittens54 please call your dentist - my OH is one and did a root canal filling for me a couple of years ago - earlier this year it was causing me a bit of pain and I had an infection below the gumline. It can happen as the roots are twisty little things and sometimes even the best dentist can't get all the 'gunk' out and it gets infected. My root canal was redone and its now fine Grin

Original poster
Kittens54 · 16/06/2021 19:30

I did call today as pain was just worse and worse. Emergency appointment tomorrow afternoon.

OP posts:
MyOtherProfile · 16/06/2021 23:30

Good. Well done.

Original poster
Kittens54 · 17/06/2021 18:32

OK, update, I saw the dentist who did some more work on the tooth, he was surprised it was still hurting, I tried not to punch him, he prescribed me some antibiotics and I was crying by the time I got to the pharmacy next door.

OP posts:
FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 17/06/2021 21:53

Oh no kittens Flowers I'm sorry, it sucks Sad I hope the antibiotics do the trick for you.

ivegotthisyeah · 17/06/2021 21:59

@Kittens54

OK, update, I saw the dentist who did some more work on the tooth, he was surprised it was still hurting, I tried not to punch him, he prescribed me some antibiotics and I was crying by the time I got to the pharmacy next door.
🤣🤣 this made me laugh tries not to punch him
MissJeanLouise · 17/06/2021 22:05

This is of no help whatsoever, but I read your title in the voice of CJ Cregg.

Flowers Hope you feel better soon.

Elouera · 17/06/2021 22:14

Sorry to hear you are still in pain. Your whole experience sounds unusual. What is a part root canal???

I needed a root canal and crown 3 yrs ago. The dentist said that I needed a specialist endontist, as they have extended training and the tiny drills that go inside the actual root. He said that root canal isn't something a 'regular' dentist does, unless the have the extra training and equipment. Its also a rather long procedure, so how the emergency dentist did this, is beyond me?

Why didn't the 2nd dentist call the emergency dentist for a report of what was done? Or you call them to find out what exactly they did? Have you had X-rays? This will show whether you did indeed have successful root canal or not. Clove oil can help, or even chewing on a clove- but it does stink. best of luck.

jakeyboy1 · 17/06/2021 22:22

Mine took about 3-4 sessions - also
Interrupted by
Covid.

They need to take the nerve/rot out and clean it, temp seal it. Then check it then properly seal
It. When they clean it they should be injecting vials of bleach and what feels like running your gums to work it through - did this happen at your first?

Mine did hurt on and off for a while but has settled now.

20viona · 17/06/2021 22:23

All normal.

Chloemol · 17/06/2021 22:37

I am in the middle of having a crown. Yes when the root canal was done I had on in and discomfort for a few days. I went back to the dentist who did think it maybe ok but as it was over Christmas gave me sone antibiotics in case it was the start of an infection. If it still hurts after 3 or 4 days I would go back

jamimmi · 17/06/2021 22:40

Sounds familiar to me..large back molar 5 session of treatment. After the 1st one I got a.flaire up of infection with I belive is rare but can happen. If was similar to your symptoms. Needed a course of antibiotics. 12 months on with crown all absolutely fine now. Give the a ring

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