unexplained tooth pain needs a root canal?

[destinator84]

Hey my front tooth got chipped and it started hurting when I bite on it and it was somewhat sensitive to cold drinks. I went to the dentist and got a filling done on it about 3 weeks afterwards. The tooth was back to normal...Alas only for 2 days when I started getting a constant tooth ache and it also hurt on tapping the tooth. After 3 days of pain I went to the emergency dentist and she took an X-ray and said that nothing wrong can be seen in the x ray and the filling is far away from the root, perhaps the tooth was too high and that was causing the pain as I started to eat with it again so she filed it and told be to wait and see if the pain is gone. She said if things don't get better a root canal may be needed. My pain has continued that day after I saw the dentist and on the next day it still hurt constantly just at tolerable level. Even though the pain was much better I got a slight fever and headache which may be unrelated. I don't know how long I'm supposed to wait with this tolerable pain or wait until it becomes intolerable again? Is it true that a root canal may be needed even though nothing besides the pain indicates a problem? PS> This was all done at NYU Dental school so the dentists are not experts in knowing what to do.

 

[Busybee]

You'd expect a dental school to have experts supervising the students. How did you chip the tooth? also who was tapping the tooth - you or the dentist? It takes about two or three months for a root to show failure on the x ray. It may just be that the tooth is recovering from an injury and it may settle. That's why they tell you to wait because 9 times out of ten a tooth stops hurting after two to three months. Does it feel as though the tooth is loose or does it hurt above the gum line?

By the way having a root canal on a front tooth isn't the end of the world as long as you have it done by a specialist. If you do have root treatment you should have the tooth crowned. It's worth investing in a front tooth. But try not to worry, be aware that the tooth isn't ever going to be as strong as before so be careful with it. Don't grind, try to avoid biting into anything hard for two to three weeks. It's possible that the filling wasn't done as well as it should be. Get a second or third opinion.

 

[destinator84]

You'd expect a dental school to have experts supervising the students. How did you chip the tooth? also who was tapping the tooth - you or the dentist? It takes about two or three months for a root to show failure on the x ray. It may just be that the tooth is recovering from an injury and it may settle. That's why they tell you to wait because 9 times out of ten a tooth stops hurting after two to three months. Does it feel as though the tooth is loose or does it hurt above the gum line?

The tooth chipped while eating. Its not lose and it doesnt hurt above the gum. It hurts when I tap it and also constantly but to a tolerable level now. Its not sensitive to cold or hot. Its just strange that it started hurting more and constantly after the filling was done rather than before. I’m just not sure if the pain will go away or i should go with the root canal as it was suggested. Waiting two month to see if it goes away seems a long time.

 

[Busybee]

It does not sound as though you need a root canal. It's normal to have sensitivity for a while after a filling.

By the way, do not test the tooth by tapping it etc. You will only irritate it more. Leave it to heal. Sounds like it's getting there if it's subsiding slightly. It can take up to three months. If after that you are getting worse (agonising pain) only then it's something to worry about. Try to relax your jaw and don't put too much pressure on it.

If I were you I'd get someone else (not at a dental school) to have a look at the filling you had done. Or perhaps you could post a photo here.

 

[destinator84]

I went to the dentist again to check it. The tooth didn't have any sensitivity to ice test being put on it so the dentist determined it was dying, which is why it stopped hurting and it needed root canal. So I went ahead with the root canal. When they opened it and determined it was dying indeed as it had no blood. It still hurts a little on tapping my teeth or biting into something but hopefully that will go away.

 

[Busybee]

Have you had the tooth crowned? Also don't test it by tapping as that's not a good idea for a tooth that's just had intensive work done.

 

[destinator84]

Not yet. My dentist hasn't decided weather to put a crown on it. He said that a crown is a better idea. But he's thinking that the front tooth is too small so a crown may not be stable. And I am weary of crowns falling and that will be quite unpleasing on my front tooth while I wait for it to be glued back on or remade so I'm not sure I want one.

 

[Wordsworthwilliam333]

There are many alternatives to root canal treatment which are listed as follows:
1. Extraction - This is a painful procedure which includes drifting tipping and movement of other teeth.
2. Pulp capping - Here a sealant is used to close off the entrance of the pulp which is not always succesful.
3. Bridge denture: This is done by removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental bridge.
4.Dental Implant - It is a replacement for tooth and is more expensive than a root canal treatment.

I hope you got your answer and can choose any alternative according to your need.