mystery toothpain (is my dentist right?)

[UKGirl]

For the past two weeks I've had a dull ache in my front right tooth, when going to the dentist he insisted on a root canal before taking the xray. He insisted it must be infected due to the pain, however when he did take the xray he could not see anything abnormal. He said that because of the yellow discoloration of the tooth (which has been this way for 15 years with no problem) it is considered a dead tooth and he is unable to access the root to be able to do any work on it and therefore would need to see a specialist at the hospital for potential extraction. Does this sound normal? My dentist seems to only want to do an extraction or root canal and put me on antbiotics everytime I've been there.

 

[TYeck12]

Hello,

Is your tooth sensitive to hot or cold? Does the pain wake you up at night? If the x-ray doesn't show anything then, you don't need a root canal. I have had three RCTs and the x-rays have always shown I needed one. I suggest getting a second opinion.

Good Luck!

 

[FearfulInMA]

I've had 4 RCTs and X-rays have been normal for all of them. Sometimes when a tooth starts to die, it's not apparent on an x-ray. That being said, there's no harm in seeking a second opinion.

 

[UKGirl]

Hi, it's not sensitive to hot or cold. He did a test with that cotton wool and solution (sorry no idea what it was called) and my tooth didnt react. The pain is a dull ache which flares up more when my sinuses hurt. I expect pressure in my back teeth but not in my front tooth. I also feel pressure behind the tooth in the gum. I have no problem sleeping.

 

[FearfulInMA]

It sounds like a second opinion may be useful. It could also be related to your sinuses. I've had pain that I could have sworn was a toothache, but turned out to be a sinus issue. The bottom line is that if you don't feel comfortable with your dentist, it may make sense to find on you feel that you can trust.

 

[Leo]

I believe the cotton test he did is the cold test, if your tooth didn't react to that, the tooth is probably dead, do you have a copy of the X-ray that you can post on this thread?

 

[UKGirl]

Sorry I don't have any xrays, I think the dentist charges you if you ask for a copy.

 

[Leftie]

Hi, it's not sensitive to hot or cold. He did a test with that cotton wool and solution (sorry no idea what it was called) and my tooth didnt react. The pain is a dull ache which flares up more when my sinuses hurt. I expect pressure in my back teeth but not in my front tooth. I also feel pressure behind the tooth in the gum. I have no problem sleeping.

Hi - Could you define more accurately the "when my sinuses hurt"

All of them, or just maxillary sinuses? Any nasal discharge? Have you had a OPG x-ray? (full teeth & Mid-face)

I am not a dentist but you seem to have very similar symptoms to what you are explaining.

 

[UKGirl]

I think its maxillary sinuses, its around my cheekbones. Nasal disharge going down my throat but not out my nostrils.I havent had any further xrays other than what the dentist has done.

 

[Leftie]

Pretty much the same as me. I have thick mucus post nasal but dry up top, when my teeth hurt the face gets worse. I also get intermittent funny smell and taste. My sore (pressure in the gum behind the teeth on my palate) has been intermittently bleeding If I have any work done on my upper teeth my sinuses get massively worse and take weeks to get back to liveable. The only time I feel better is during a long course of antibiotics.

If I could turn back the clock to June last year when it started (after crown work) I would have had the offending teeth extracted.

It is going to be my last move this week just got to find a dentist to do it, as I am so fed up with the teeth being blamed.

I have had all the same explanations as you, sprained teeth etc., and then some. I have ended up with the diagnosis of Atypical Facial Pain, in other words they do not really know.

The point of the OPG would be to determine how close your teeth roots are to your sinus cavities, I have unusually low sinus floor combined with long tooth roots. A lot of UK dentists will have this machine, not good for seeing infection etc but good to see any dental connections to the sinus.