Pain after lower molar onlay…

[rkhan2000]

I have had a dental onlay done on a lower molar tooth 8 days ago. I have been having pain (which goes away with Panadol and ibuprofen)...but it comes back. To give you an idea, I am having 400mg ibuprofen every 12 hours and a dose of panadol in the middle (once). It is most painful at night when I am tired...and I lie down. Just to be clear, it's pain not just sensitivity - sometimes it feels like my whole head is hurting from pain.

I went back to the dentist a few days ago and he checked out everything (tapped, cold air etc) and told me to try to reduce the painkillers but I haven’t been able to do that. He also gave me a perio-aid mouth wash which helps for a while.

I am panicking (super anxious patient) and feel that something is wrong and that I might need a root canal (I have never had one before because it is very hard to get me numb).

How long should I have pain like this? I don’t have fever or anything like that…appreciate any feedback/advice.

Thank you.

 

[Gordon]

Did he check the bite?

No way to diagnose it remotely, it's not right so you need to go back to the dentist I'm afraid.

 

[rkhan2000]

@Gordon - yep he did adjust it on my last visit. I am due for a visit in another week so I will let him know how it goes.

I do have extreme anxiety issues - not a great history with dentist visits. Like I had three visits to have this onlay put in and the doc had to give me several shots to get me numb…and it was progressively worse every trips - I would need more anesthesia and it would take longer to kick in.

My cheek was sore for days after the procedure since I have so many shots - it’s still a bit sore when I yawn.

Here’s a picture of it - if it helps.

Update - I had ibuprofen last last, 15 hours ago and no pain so far.

 

[Gordon]

Hopefully it's settling down now. If it was headed for a root canal then I think you'd have been in a lot more pain, if that's any consolation!

 

[rkhan2000]

Thanks Gordon for your message - I really hope so. I can't see how a singe dose of 400mg ibuprofen lasts me 12-18 hours...unless it's got something to do with my anxiety.

Since the doctor examined my tooth last time with tapping and cold air (sensitive/pain) and I couldn't actually feel anything in the tooth....is it possible that I have some nerve issue in my jaw? Because the pain is not exactly in my tooth...when it gets bad, it is covering almost the entire side of the face.

Is that possible?

 

[Gordon]

It's more likely that your jaw joint is flaring up a bit. Possibly from the extended opening period to get the work done. Have a read on here for some ideas on managing that: https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/faq/tmj-pain/