Pain 5 Months Post Root Canal

[Squashface]

I've posted on here a few times over the last few months. Back in June I had to have a root canal on my crowned front tooth (the existing crown hasn't been replaced since). Problem is I'm still getting intermittent pain, mostly during and after exercise. I've spoken to the dentist several times, was prescribed 2 courses of antibiotics within 2 months of the root canal, neither of which helped. I also had a follow up appointment 2 months ago where the dentist told me this is normal and I should wait another 6 months to see if the pain goes away.

The pain in my front tooth is becoming more intermittent. But the problem is- for about 2 months I've been getting pain in the tooth next to it, and the canine tooth next to that. It's not severe pain, 2-3/10 on the pain scale. It usually happens after I've been for a run, or for an uphill walk. Basically whenever my heart rate peaks. Then for the rest of the day I have aching in all 3 teeth. I've found that all 3 teeth seem to "click" when I press on them with my tongue. I press on them a lot through the day without thinking about it. The more they hurt the more I seem to press on them! I also think I've been clenching my teeth, and the tooth that takes the impact is the canine that's been hurting.

This morning I woke up with throbbing (no pain) in the tooth next to my front tooth, which has gone away since getting up. Can anyone advise- could the continuing pain be due to pressing on/clenching my teeth? Or could it be referred pain? Could pushing on the teeth cause throbbing? The last x-ray 2 months ago did show a bit of inflamation around the ligaments of the front tooth. The x-ray didn't show signs of infection in the tooth next to it.

Not being able to exercise without pain that lasts a whole day afterwards is really affecting my quality of life. It feels like the pain will never end- can root canals really take this long to heal??

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi,

5 months are more than enough time to establish that there is something which requires a diagnosis and treatment.

An x-Ray is not enough to diagnose an inflammation, especially in the upper jaw. I would ask for a second opinion preferably from an endodontist.

It can also be caused by a gum issue which a good dental cleaning can help with.

 

[Squashface]

Thank you for coming back to me. I should have said, it was an endodontist who did the root canal, and he is very experienced. I've tried contacting a few other specialists in the area to get a second opinion, but unfortunately none are open due to covid.

It's frustrating because the pain has improved in the root canalled tooth, it just hasn't completely settled. I also can't work out if the pain in the neighbouring teeth is related.

What would need to be done to diagnose inflamation? Or what further investigation might need to happen to work out what's going on?

 

[Squashface]

Went back to the endodontist today. He’s checked my root canalled tooth again- there are no signs of infection (except the mild pain I’m experiencing). He checked the other two teeth too. Both appear to be healthy.

He doesn’t think there is a crack as that would cause a more consistent pain for example when eating, when pressure is applied or exercising. But eating is never a problem and exercising only causes pain intermittently.

He still thinks it’ll eventually settle down, but thinks it may be neuralgia. So I guess my waiting continues!