There are a number of possible causes of pain after the completion of a root canal. After a root canal is completed no living pulp tissue remains inside the tooth, but nerve endings remain in the ligaments that attach the tooth to the surrounding bone. These ligaments have nerve fiber associated with them that can feel pain. They are the source of any post root canal pain.
One possible cause of pain are numerous and include inflammation of the periapical tissues post root canal. This inflammation may be due to extruded sealer or 'over instrumentation during the endodontic procedure. Sometimes the root canal files go past the apical terminus and can either inject some debris periapically or just damage the ligaments. This inflammation usually resolves by itself given enough time.
Another source of post root canal discomfort is a high bite and this can easily be corrected by a dentist. If a patient bites down, with no food in their mouth and their root canaled tooth hurts, then the bite should be adjusted. Teeth undergoing root canals should be not be in a heavy occlusion.
Other possible causes of pain are a persistent infection or a root fracture. If a root canal is completed, but an infection still is present around the periapical area then a retreatment may be indicated especially if significant time has gone by without a resolution of the infection. Sometimes an infection can be caused by a fracture of the tooth in question and in that case the tooth usually has a hopeless prognosis and requires extraction.
It is also possible, but not as common that persistent pain exists due to a sensitization of a nerve ganglion We have all heard of 'phantom limb pain'. This a similar phenomenon. Some of these patients can have pain even after the offending tooth is removed.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
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8 comments:
That is a very good post. you told nicely about pain after the completion of a root canal. You did a good job man. keep it up.
NEVER NEVER NEVER let a dentist use formaldehyde, lead or mercury in a root canal. don”t assume they won”t…ASK ASK ASK. Its called Sargenti Paste/N2/RC2B/RC2W. The dentists who use it conceal it from the patient (even after harming them) because they know it is malpractice. The FDA rejected it based upon safety concerns, every state dental school teaches NOT to use it because it is below the standard of care. Injuries can be life altering and life threatening. We are two patients who will suffer life long problems because we didn”t know to ask. The ADA does not recommend it, their endodontic board (AAE) is strongly against it…
http://www.aae.org/NR/rdonlyres/14F3726F-DA2D-4155-97E9-D0201E690B17/0/paraformaldehydefillingmaterials.pdf
Don”t take the chance….injuries are random and can show up months or years after a seemingly properly done root canal. ASK, SAY NO. Don”t walk in our shoes. http://www.worstrootcanalever.com
My friend had her root canal done five weeks ago, she had been feeling acute pain for a few weeks, and the pain has only gotten better until a few days ago when she started taking Ibuprofen. Is this normal? How do we know if she needs re-treatment?
Sometimes soreness can last for several months or more. If there is no swelling or obvious reoccurrence of an infection, it can be hard to tell whether the root canal is failing. If possible your friend should wait. She should call the dentist who did her root canal and ask if he has any advice. If after about 6 months if there is not noticeable improvement it is certainly time to go for a consult with an endodontist to see if a retreatment might help.
I had a filling in Dec 2007 on tooth #4, not working out, so we had to do a RC in Feb 2008. It was infected so after the root canal i was in extreme pain and on antibiotics. I went thru about 5 bottles of antibiotics b4 the tooth was healed enough to cap it, months later. I thought after the root canal i would have some relief, on no it was much worse after. 1-1/2 year later my same tooth is sensitive to pressure and aching (not hot or cold). I saw the Endo specialist and he said there are a few possibilities, re-treatment of possible missed canal or apico surgery to see if infection is present, or a possible fracture that will not show on Xray. Last Friday 8-14 i had the re-treatment RC done and again on SAT i was in agony. Again, it hurts much worse than B4 i went in there. When I even touch my tongue to the tooth, it is very sensitive and shoots pain up in my cheek. If I press on my right cheek it is painful. I am on antibiotics already since Friday to make sure an infection didnt start. HELP? In lots of Pain!!!
Hi
Your posts always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers.
keep it up
Hi.
I had RCT treatment done on a back top molar 6 months ago.
I had it done by an endondontist.
It has never settled down to "painfree" situation and now is very sensitive to hot liquids and I certainly cannot bite on it.
Is it possible to feel discomfort on hot stimulus?
I know it cannot be another tooth because it is the only tooth left in that area.
Thanks.
To the best of my knowledge it is very unusual to feel sensitivity to hot on a tooth that has a completed root canal. I would advise you to contact your endodontist about your symptoms at this point.
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