Molar with crown feeling pressure

[Smiller]

I have a molar that I had a crown put on. I did not get a root canal. It felt fine for a while. I recently had my wisdom teeth removed. I had a lot of inflammation, and my tongue is still numb. I was put on steroids for it. It's a separate issue, but maybe important history. I was brushing my teeth and I had a sudden pain shoot through my tooth that had a crown and no root canal. I went to my dentist and told him I though maybe it was the tooth next to it and maybe in between the teeth. He took an xray and couldn't see any cavity. Then he shot some cold air on each tooth and discovered it was indeed my tooth with a crown and no root canal. I don't have any pain to heat and so he mentioned it may be inflammation and to take some Motrin. I did that, and I don't really feel any sensitivity to cold or heat, but no it is mostly just pressure all the time. I am not sure what to do. I am in between jobs so I do not have insurance so everything is out of pocket as the insurance I pay for wont cover anything for another 2 or 3 months besides cleanings. I also don't want a root canal because it is very difficult for the dentist as I have very long roots (he said 26 or 27 mm), and it is costly out of pocket. I could afford to pull it, but I am not sure if that is the answer if there is no sensitivity to cold or heat. Should I try motrin again?

Also, should I just pull it? What are the consequences of pulling it? Right now the molar on the lower jaw is gone, so it is not like it is helping me with chewing food as there is no tooth to bite down on there. I had the lower molar removed with my wisdom teeth.

 

[Smiller]

Well now I'm getting nervous. Could it be an abcessed tooth? I'm going on thrusday to the dentist, but should I try to get an emergency visit? I'm pretty nervous right now, any info that may help?

 

[FearfulInMA]

Im not a dentist and I'm sorry nobody has been able to provide you an answer. Unfortunately, it's difficult to know without the dentist looking at it. Sometimes, after and extraction, neighboring teeth can take a bit to settle down (I can't tell from your post if the crowned tooth was next to the one extracted). Also, it's possible that your bite is now slightly off due to the extraction - if this is the case, the dentist can adjust your bite. If you're in a lot of pain, you could try to get an emergent appointment, otherwise, waiting until Thursday should be ok. Also, as long as you don't have any medical issues that prevent you from taking Motrin (ibuprofen) it probably can't hurt - though I wouldn't take it the day of your appointment as you want to be able to help the dentist pinpoint the source of the discomfort. It sounds like the issue has been getting better (at least not worse), so that is a good sign. Best of luck to you!

 

[Smiller]

Thanks for the response. Just in case anyone was reading the thread or reads it in the future. I need a root canal. The dentist did an emergency pulpendectomy (basically he took out the pulp in the tooth and some of the canals) put some medicine in and then sealed my crown with a temp filling. It should last me long enough to get my insurance to help cover the cost of the root canal to help cover the cost. I have a lot less pain in the tooth now.

 

[FearfulInMA]

I'm so glad you're in less pain though sorry that you ended up needing a root canal!