I don’t fucking understand this

[SoreToof]

I’ve posted before and still am not any further forward. I’m at my wits end and just don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve never been so miserable in all my life

i had an infection in my upper tooth root (the tooth was already filled) around a year ago and needed a root canal. I was in horrific pain- all across my cheek, my ear and my jaw and I couldn’t bite down on my tooth because it was excruciating. It wasn’t TN and I could pick out which exact tooth it was that hurt. There were nights I was up screaming and hitting my face off the wall it was so painful.

I had several antibiotic courses in the meantime but unfortunately nothing cleared it until I got the root canal. It was fine for a while after this and then the pain started again. Exact same tooth. I had several x rays and there’s no infection left, but I got another prescription at of antibiotics just to make sure it’s completely clear. It was fine for a week after I finished the dose and now it’s started hurting again- the exact same tooth. I can’t bite down on it at all without being in agony.

I don’t understand what’s going on with my mouth. My dentist is fantastic and I trust him and he was a bit unsure what’s causing it as tere’s no infection left behind, it’s been x rayed and the root canal was successful. I’m actually a bit frightened now, why is it still sore? Is it a problem with my face? What could it be if not an infected tooth?

I absolutely can’t get the tooth removed- because of the shape of my face and mouth it would be noticeable and obvious and I can’t afford to get it replaced with a bridge, implant or anything else. I can’t have a big gap in my face

i just want this all to stop. I’ve been in agony for almost a year and can’t keep taking cocodamol like sweeties.

I had something similar years ago, really bad pain in a tooth that had had root canal. Turns out I was clenching my jaw during the night and the gum was in some sort of spasm. I wore these gum guard type things at night and it stopped. Sorry if this is vague but it was over 20 years ago. I hope you get sorted soon

Does it have a crown? If not, might be a root fracture.

Is it possible to see a specialist if you haven’t already - an endodontist? I had a third root that was missed in a root canal for over 20 years until an endodontist spotted it. Multiple dentists and X-rays taken over that time that didn’t identify it. He saw it on the first appointment.

Thanks for the advice, my dentist checked the x rays and the tooth and it seemed fine, I’m just at a complete loss about what it could be. They initially thought it might be sinusitis because of the face/ear/cheek pain but because my specific tooth was agony (they checked by tapping it) they said it was an infection.

this might be a complete coincidence but Im really prone to blocked noses- I have a blocked nose every single evening- I don’t have any allergies or sensitivities and it’s nothing in my environment causing it because it get it elsewhere too. There’s no triggers other than time of day- one of my nostrils just completely blocks around 7 pm and it alternates side but I don’t breath through both nostrils until the next morning again.

ive got nasal sprays and nothing helps it. I just have to wait until morning

not sure if it’s relevant or completely separate but just mentioning in case anyone has had similar

Do you have a dental hospital near you ?
At mine they have urgent day case, you obviously have to wait.

Are you sure they removed all of the nerves when doing the root canal?
I had trouble after having antibiotics, due to pain after a root canal (had them previously also due to an abscess under the tooth - the reason for the root canal in the first place). It turned out that I had more nerve branches in my tooth than is usual' and they hadn't removed the third one.
I know how painful it is, so you have my sympathy.
I remember going to a local dentist (I was a student at the time), and even though they saw me on a Saturday, they didn't charge as they could see what a state I was in - when I got up from the chair, I left an outline of my body in sweat, as I was in so much pain.

Sorry, this sounds horrible :( I haven't experienced anything similar but I remember reading once that very small cracks in the teeth sometimes don't show up on X rays. I'm not sure if they could cause pain to this extent but it would tally with the tooth only hurting when pressure is applied. Perhaps worth considering. Hope you get it sorted soon!

I would seek medical help - can you go to your GP or even A&E and see if you can see any kind of oral or dental specialist?? Xx

You need to choose between adapting your smile and the pain OP. Unless you can afford to go private.

It might be that a dentist is not seeing the full picture with the type of X-ray done. I’m not a dentist but I believe endodontists can view differently - see here:

soniachopradds.com/blog/missed-root-during-root-canal/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwk5ibBhDqARIsACzmgLSrBZ-SzSL8BirY573p-mDOMnoGhKb1ZZ_bJCR5cnWGuDgu1dsMYwEaAlUvEALw_wcB

Molars have multiple canals and one can sometimes be missed, so while your dentist thinks the root canal is complete and the infection is gone it can still be lingering. Have you been to an endodontist? They are specialists in root canals and have scanning equipment that regular dentists don't usually have.

Here's some data from a study about missed root canals:

"The overall prevalence of missed canals among endodontically treated teeth was 18%. The prevalence of missed canals was higher in maxillary first molars with 40.6%."

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8257386/

Hi OP.

Your dentist can x ray you to detect whether or not the sinus wall is affected by the tooth/root canal, so that can be ruled out.

I’m so sorry but I think extraction is the probable solution. My dentist told me a root canal can be successful but still have multiple tiny horizontal fractures only visible if you have a CT scan. And these can cause infection and pain.

Sorry to say, but sounds like it might be time to get it taken out. I’ve had abscesses, cracked roots, and root canals (mainly after an accident, when I broke 4 teeth), and there was one which kept flaring up, and giving me lots of pain. Granted, I really didn’t want one of my front teeth taken out, but it was either that, or constant pain.

So, sounds like it might be.time for that discussion/decision to be made. I got a plate, then a fixed bridge. Whole course of treatment was about £300 for that tooth; I was able to pay it in instalments, so might be worth checking on that.

Yes - what @Entwifery is saying. I’m speaking as a patient who had this issue for years until seeing an endodontist.

I had the same and had the tooth removed . No problem afterwards. I had to have another tooth removed soon after so ended up with a plate with 2 front teeth on

It might be worth trying another dentist. You may like your dentist but that does necessarily mean they've done good work, or that they haven't missed something on an x-ray.

I'd probably try someone new and get a second opinion. You never know another dentist might spot something that's being missed.

If there’s pain at the root, might amitryptaline help? If so, it’s safer to take daily and you will have more time to make a decision if you can get the pain under control.

same happened with me - pain so bad i would've done anything to stop it. RC looked fine to them but it was obvious something was irreparable, tooth had to come out. It was so bad I felt nothing but relief.

Oh bless you.

I work in dentistry and your dentist can refer you to have a bridge etc on the NHS for free. A lot of them aren't accepted but if it were to change your face shape/ the way you eat etc is can be considered if your dentist writes everything down in a lot of detail. You may not be granted it but it's also worth a try.

I know you don't want to but honestly get it pulled.

If you are entitled to free NHS treatment even getting a temporary denture would make you feel better.

You can't go on with toothache like that. It's not normal and it's absolutely debilitating. I'd rather give birth.

Sorry 'Mummbles' but as the OP wasn't offended by what I said, I don't see why you felt that YOU needed to comment. I've read all of the thread so far, and no one has been able to come up with a definitive answer to the OP's problem, so what I said was actually correct. I also offered a suggestion to her, which might be more helpful than reading about other people's experiences, so don't see why you got your knickers in a knot about it!

I had root canal done many years ago, I've still got the stump of the tooth but the rest gradually broke and crumbled away. My dentist told me it was because the tooth was essentially dead. If this is something that's common and likely to happen to your tooth, you might want to consider getting rid if it's going to happen anyway.

My teeth are otherwise very healthy, I don't even have any fillings. So I don't think I've got weirdly weak teeth. Perhaps other posters could confirm if this is a common occurrence after root canals.

I read an article in the Guardian about a woman whose health was ruined by an untreated tooth infection. If you wish I can find it and post a link but, frankly, I don't wish to scare you. The lady had tooth pain but nothing showed on xrays

Whatever you decide, you have my best wishes it sounds dreadful.

Can your dentist refer you to a dental hospital? It's free and the treatment is first class.

Ask your dentist to check for signs of grinding. I'm guessing he has checked the bite already? If the tooth is ever so slightly too high, it will cause pain when biting down. These are routine checks though so I would have thought your dentist will have done them.

I'm going with a hairline fracture in the root filling which is why biting down hurts the most. When biting you are opening up the fracture but under normal conditions it won't be noticed on an xray. See if you can get the root filling redone.

You need to see an Endodontist who deals specifically with root canals . The roots can have tiny little spurs that can be infected. Ask to be referred by your dentist asap. Good luck .