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Original poster

Root Canal Agony... Please help!!!

26 replies

Edes333 · 13/11/2023 21:02

Goodness me... Please can I get some advice.
I always go for check ups and last had a filling when I was about 12! (Now late 20s)
A few weeks ago I was eating some food and had an almighty pain. Pain continued for a few days so I went to an emergency dentist and they said I'd cracked the tooth and said it was likely from clenching my teeth. It's top left second to back tooth whicjever that is!

Anyway to emergency visits later (due to the first one putting the temp filling directly on my nerve!!) I had the first stage of a root canal and was told to go to my own dentist fro the next part. This was two weeks ago and I've been in pain ever since... Can't eat on that side and pain in gums,.tooth, referred pain etc.

I'm booked in this Thursday for the second part of the root canal with my own dentist. When I was there he said it's slightly infected and gave me amoxicillin which did sweet f all and I'm in more pain than I was before. He didn't do anything on that visit just checked and did X rays.

Is this normal? I phoned the dentist and explained and she said it's normal to be in pain as I'm waiting for a root canal.

Everything I've read says you're not supposed to be in pain after the first stage?? Hot and cold still really hurts.

Took a pic of my mouth and my gum around three teeth look very red and sore.

Please can anybody share there experience?
Thank you!

OP posts:
Mischance · 13/11/2023 21:22

I had no pain with root canal at either stage nor in between. I am sorry you are suffering this.

Chardonnay73 · 13/11/2023 21:27

I think unless they have actually drilled down and removed the root and nerve it will still be agony until they do that. Did they put all the horrible rod things down it? Or just drill a hole and put in a temporary filling?
I sympathise, it is utter agony and I was left for 2 weeks in your position. I got done cocodamol 30/500 from my GP whilst I waited. Call the GP or 111 to get done decent pain relief while you are waiting. The other pain is the cost… mine was £1400 😩😱😱

Original poster
Edes333 · 13/11/2023 21:35

I don't remember as it was an emergency appt that did it and they just said they've removed the nerve so I shouldn't be in pain and to get booked in with my dentist but it's been pain ever since.

If there's a raging infection will they still finish the root canal on Thursday? I don't think I can cope if they don't do something!

Yes I might call my GP actually, I wasn't sure if they'd do much with it being a dental matter. Just feel like I'm going crazy and miserable as everybody says no pain after the first part and I've been nothing but pain. Worried an infection is spreading and nobody is doing anything! Xx

OP posts:
Chardonnay73 · 13/11/2023 21:43

You’d know if you had the rods. Sorry but it’s not pleasant 🤦‍♀️ I don’t honestly know if they will do it. I know when he did mine it was still infected as when he started drilling there was a terrible smell. Sorry. But the relief is so immense you don’t care about that. Get some decent pain relief and get to your appointment. Let us know how you are doing x

jalopy · 13/11/2023 21:51

I had an allergy to the 'temporary' filling at the first stage. It was agony & throbbing until it was removed. The permanent filling at the 2nd stage was fine & I've had no problems or pain since.

NancyMaloni · 13/11/2023 21:56

Don’t know what you can do now but I did my actual root canal under sedation - worth every Penny!

I am sorry you are in pain now, I hope you find someone to help you, keep trying.

Good luck x

ShortDaysLongNights · 13/11/2023 22:07

You really shouldn't be in pain anymore. I have two root canals over the years and before going to the dentist it was absolute agony.
The first time they removed the roots (which came with an absolutely abhorrent smell - sign of infection) and put a temporary filling on.
I was back in less than 24 hours as I was still in agony. They had to remove the temp filling again and sort it out again. Not sure what they did, but I think it involved putting an antibiotic in the tooth amongst other things.
Definitely go back as soon as possible

ginislife · 14/11/2023 06:35

Honestly ? I'd just get it taken out. I paid a fortune for a root canal and a couple of years later still had to have it removed as it cracked straight across and nothing could be done to save it. A waste of money.

Jurassicpark1234 · 14/11/2023 07:04

A couple of months ago I had a similar issue - a root canal that was done about 15 years ago must have failed (eventually) and my tooth cracked whilst I was eating. My dentist sent me to a specialist who removed the old root canal filling and did a new filling. The pain didn’t get any better and I couldn’t bring my teeth together it was agony. Had a repeat XR which showed there was infection at the base which was spreading. The only thing that helped was diclofenac which can’t be used long term. I tried to manage with the pain but saw a max facs surgeon who suggested removing the tooth and the pain disappeared - the tooth was dead. Mine was right lower molar near wisdom tooth. I was abroad at the time so had it done privately but I’d strongly suggest having the tooth extracted if the infection is spreading etc. I’ve had two babies with an induction for over 36 hours each time and this pain was the worst thing I’ve ever endured to date. Good luck!

Original poster
Edes333 · 14/11/2023 08:14

I appreciate everybody's advice! Currently in agony as I had a cup of tea this morning... Feels like it's directly hitting my nerve on that side and causing the most awful pain. I woke up numerous times in the night as well 😭 never felt so miserable! I'm going to ask my dentist on Thursday if he will remove it. I go away in around two weeks and don't want my holiday to be ruined with this! Can barely even go into work! X

OP posts:
LeakyPipes · 14/11/2023 13:32

Sympathies Flowers I endorse the advice others have given to just have it taken out. A few years ago I almost had a root canal. I had the most terrible pain after eating almonds. Went to dentist who put in a temporary filling and said I'd need to go elsewhere for a root canal. She gave me no timescale. I had no idea what a bad move that was until the anaesthetic wore off later in the day. I was in agony. Went to A&E in the night to beg for painkillers but they would do nothing as it was dental. I can't take anti-inflammatories and Panadol wasn't touching it. Rang the dentist back in the morning and just refused to get off the line until they agreed to fit me in for an extraction later that day. End of pain. Good luck! Get it out...

Chardonnay73 · 14/11/2023 16:43

OP orajel max also really took the pain away temporarily as well. Hope you managed to get some decent pain killers today too

tobee · 14/11/2023 18:26

I had very similar with same tooth and cause! So sympathies! I was in agony with nerve pain and had the max amount of ibuprofen and paracetamol but it still hurt and was awful if I had anything too hot or too cold to eat or drink; pain lasting for ages after.

However, I had root canal treatment in one session and then it didn't hurt after so I'd think you should phone dentist again. Could you maybe be allergic to the antibiotics?

rwalker · 14/11/2023 18:32

I’m puzzled how they can half start a root canal
they literally hollow you tooth out including the roots it’s a lengthy process with X-rays as well

I’ve had one took hours but fine afterwards

if they’d taken the nerve out you’d think there’d be no pain

AQuantityOfNaughtyCats · 14/11/2023 18:36

rwalker · 14/11/2023 18:32

I’m puzzled how they can half start a root canal
they literally hollow you tooth out including the roots it’s a lengthy process with X-rays as well

I’ve had one took hours but fine afterwards

if they’d taken the nerve out you’d think there’d be no pain

Mine took 4 sessions as the roots were curved so it took a long time to get down to the ends. It didn’t hurt after the first one though when most of the nerve had gone.

GentlemanJay · 14/11/2023 18:40

No pain at all. Longer in the chair than at the hygienist, which did hurt.

My wallet hurt even more. Lol.

Original poster
Edes333 · 14/11/2023 18:53

It was the emergency dentist that started the root canal and said right I've taken the nerve out so you shouldn't be any pain and to go to my own dentist for the rest of the root canal. She filled it with some antibacterial stuff. Then I had an appt with my own dentist who just tapped the tooth said it was slightly infected and gave my amoxicillin (finished on Friday) and booked me for my root canal this coming Thursday. I had a little cry today as I'm so fed up. The pain isn't that bad when I have cold but when I have hot... My god it's like a nerve is on fire. Hanging in there til Thursday 🤢

OP posts:
BeansOnToast32 · 14/11/2023 20:08

I had to go to the emergency dentist years ago for the start of a root canal! They messed up and didn't remove the entire nerve so when I went to my dentist they had to finish the job and filled it with some antibiotic stuff because it had become infected.

Ladyj84 · 14/11/2023 20:42

If your rootcanal hasn't been fully taken out which is common with some dentists then you will be in agony. If it had been properly removed you wouldn't be feeling pain

tobee · 14/11/2023 23:02

Aw I know how you feel with the crying with tooth pain ☹️

Original poster
Edes333 · 14/11/2023 23:45

Does anybody know if I go on Thursday and it's infected will they still go ahead and do the root canal? We go on holiday soon so I'm worried! X

OP posts:
Chardonnay73 · 15/11/2023 07:37

Mine was infected and they still did it.

Original poster
Edes333 · 16/11/2023 13:34

I opted to have the root canal... I asked the dentist if I should get the tooth removed and he said it's upto me but he would advise against it.

Dentist said blood was pouring out as there was a bad infection under the tooth and the first dentist hadn't done the first part properly. All done now. The worst part was the smells and keeping my mouth open!

Dentist said a crown in 6-12 months and he will see me for my normal check up. Fingers crossed it all settles now 🤞🤞🤞

OP posts:
tobee · 16/11/2023 15:55

Good luck!

Original poster
Edes333 · 20/11/2023 00:43

Hi guys
So I had my root canal on Thursday and all has been well, tooth has been tendered which dentist told me to expect and it's getting better each day.. managed to eat a bit of banana and noodles on that side of my mouth (very cautiously) however my gums are swollen on that side... Is this typical with a root canal? I'm assuming it's from the root canal? No toothache etc just swollen and tender gums. Using corosdyl and salt water rinses and praying it's not an infection. Can anybody advise? I feel like my dentist is going to get fed up of me if I call back and ask!! X

OP posts:
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