Deep filled tooth suddenly sensitive to pressure

[Vaidile]

Hi,

I've had my upper right 3rd molar filled almost 2 months ago. The filling was very deep and the dentist only gave me about 70% chance that it would be successful. I've had no problems with the tooth since then until last night, when it suddenly became very sensitive to pressure. It doesn't hurt when nothing touches it, but it feels slightly raised and is painful when I probe it with my tongue or brush gently. I can't bite down on it at all.

I'm currently in the middle of root canal treatment for my lower right 2nd molar and I originally thought it was the one still giving me trouble, but no, it's definitely the upper one.

Do you think this means the tooth is infected and will need a RC or extraction? Could it have been aggravated by lots of work being done on lower teeth and tools occasionally hitting it from below? I'm going in to finish my root canal of the other tooth on Friday; would that be too long of a wait, or is it okay provided it doesn't get worse?

 

[Gordon]

Do you think this means the tooth is infected and will need a RC or extraction?

Yep, sorry.

Could it have been aggravated by lots of work being done on lower teeth and tools occasionally hitting it from below?

No

I'm going in to finish my root canal of the other tooth on Friday; would that be too long of a wait, or is it okay provided it doesn't get worse?

If it doesn't get worse then it's fine to wait.

 

[Vaidile]

Thank you, Gordon. I feared that was going to be the answer. It's probably not worth investing in a RC on a wisdom tooth, but I'm missing the 1st molar on that side, so losing another one wouldn't be ideal.

My dentist mentioned that lately she's been having lots of people come in with latent issues that have suddenly become acute. Seems like it's catching, ugh

 

[Gordon]

Dental issues do seem a bit like busses, you wait ages and then lots turn up at once

 

[Vaidile]

I messaged my dentist and she had me come in today. Opened the tooth and yep, infected and already necrotic. It smelled awful

She put some medication on and left it for a few days while we consider the options. She said the canals don't look too complicated, so RC might be viable, even if it's a wisdom tooth.

 

[Gordon]

They do have a very "unique" smell when you get a necrotic pulp. I actually quite liked smelling it, it meant my diagnosis was correct