Dull throbbing after dental work

[steveg]

Hi all,

Firstly im terrifyed of dentists so neglected to go for the past 3 years . After a tooth cracked i had to get it sorted so had a deep filling, all is good and felt better about going to the dentist so even went back for a check up, he said i.needed a tiny filling and clean so 6 days ago i had the work. As it turned out the tiny filling hidden more decay and he said it was a very deep filling, he also did the tooth next to it and said this was even deeper and coukd see the pink if my nurve, he filled them in but now i get a dull throbbing during the day, im ok with hot and cold and the bite feels ok although im still avoiding chewing on that side. The pain isnt shap or really bad, more just throbbing so been taking pain killers and they usually help. I also get a slight ache like itd bruided in my jaw in the area, i just assumed this was due to the injection?
My question, is this normal? I really really dont want a root canal and moving house this week so could do withiu the tretment, is it likly to go away on its own? Sorry for spelling and grammer, using my phone

Thanks in advance

Steve

 

[brit]

Hi
Sorry you are having trouble. My first concern is that you went in expecting a tiny filling and ended up with 2 deep fillings? Did the dentist take x-rays and show you the areas of decay at all?

It may settle down so maybe the best thing would be to get it checked out by a new dentist in your new location and if you do need a root canal ask to be referred to an endodontist (especially if you are in USA where there are loads of them).

I don't think I would personally want this dentist doing any more on me based on your description so far.
Not all dentists are competent, not all dentists are ethical. The cheapest is highly unlikely to ever obtain you the best care available.
Bear this mind when you choose your new dentist. You are the one stuck with the teeth - so make sure only someone competent with a good reputation is working on them.

Of course you are entirely within your rights under 'aftercare' to go back to the dentist for them to try to make it better but I just don't like the sound of them. NB I am not a dentist.

 

[steveg]

Thaks for the reply. Im in the uk so treatment was nhs. He said at first it was a small filling and didnt need an injection but after he started it was deeper then expected, he said it happens alot with people my age (25) because the floride in toothpaste can cover the problem up, after that tooth he said he coukd see the same small decay in the next tooth and wanted to check it out and thats the one that he could see a bit of pink and very deep. He did do an xray and i did see it, i dint know what im looking for but it didnt look bad but i know these things dont always show up.
I still get the dull throbbing a few tines a day, is this normal? Its been 7 days now. Its not really painfull.
If i needed a rc would it really hurt? He did say i "would know" if it was needed as the pain would be bad and stop me sleeping but havebt lost any sleep yet

Thanks again for the help

 

[carole]

Hi Steveg I had a very deep filling about 5 or 6 years ago, that was very near the nerve the dentist that did it put a protective cover over the nerve, I don't know what it was that's the way he put it to me, he then filled it using a blue light thing. I had no after pain but every body is different, it is common to have a bit of discomfort after fillings etc... He also told me at some point the tooth would require a root canal treatment.

To bring this up to today, last week I had to have this tooth rct, so it may be that your tooth will settle and last you for some years but it may need a rct sooner.
I knew I needed a rct when I got a sore red patch at first on my gum in January which was treated with antibiotics, it settled but the dentist told me it would erupt again if not straight away then in the next few months, and when it did it would be rct. I got to February and again my gum got sore and I had a little ulcer there as well, for some time I had got a dull throb on and off, no pain. I went back to the dentist and he arranged for me to go and have the rct last week.

The rct does not hurt I was very numb, it was at the bottom left back, my chin, lips and all up the side of my head, and even my ear felt a bit numb, so I felt nothing at all. They do take a bit of time to do, but the time passes very quickly. It is very little drilling and quiet and they take x rays inbetween doing the rct as well. They also take one after to make sure everything is fine.
You can feel a bit sore after for a couple of days.

A rct I just before Christmas I had nothing after not even a twinge, the one I had last week on Thursday did give me a bit of trouble but I went back to the dentist on Saturday and got some antibiotics and by Saturday evening after 3 doses of the antibiotic I was out of pain almost and feeling much better. Each day it is better and better, today I have now had 7 doses of the antibiotic and the swelling I had has nearly completely gone and I am out of pain so do not worry rct are nothing to worry about.

If you continue to get pain you need to go and see another dentist, or go back to the one that did the fillings.
I hope your teeth settle soon for you, and I hope your move goes smoothly, don't these things just happen when you least need it.

All the best in your new home.

 

[steveg]

thanks Carol, he did put a pritective layer before filling so fingers crossed all will be ok at least its taking me mind off the stress of moving

 

[carole]

They don't know how long these fillings will last but hopefully yours will settle for a few years. Hope your move goes smoothly all the best.

By the way my treatment is and was done on the NHS and I have been fine, so if you can't afford private there are good nhs dentists out there. Just be sure that you feel comfortable and confident in their ability to do the work, and that they put you at ease.

 

[brit]

he said it happens alot with people my age (25) because the floride in toothpaste can cover the problem up,

Sounds plausible. There is little incentive in UK NHS in England and Wales to do unnecessary treatment as they are no longer paid on a piece rate.

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