Root canal - am I being a hypochondriac?

[hollyt]

Hey there

I posted here a few times when I went through my initial 'tooth trauma' and found it really helpful, so I'm hoping it will again.

I had to have three root canals done on the same front tooth last year after a bad (and pretty psychologically damaging) experience with a neglectful dentist. By the time I shelled out £500 for a specialist root canal dentist, the inside of my gums were pretty infected and had eroded away some of the bone.

It's now been four months since my root canal and I can't stop worrying about it and stressing the infection has 'come back'!! Mainly because, when I press the tooth with my tongue, it still aches. Two months after, I went back and demanded an x-ray, where I was told everything was fine. And then I had another freak-out during Christmas, ended up at an NHS dentist who took another x-ray and, again, told me it was fine. She did say though that I had a 'halo' of damage in the gums and it can take a while to heal.

But now, four months later, it still aches a little, especially when I touch it with my tongue. I'm getting really worked up, and can 'feel it' all the time. I'm not sure if it's all in my head, if it's a sign the root canal has failed, or if it's a normal part of healing. I finally caved and rang my dentist today again - but can't get an appointment for a week and a half and now I'm REALLY anxious!!! I wish I didn't have to wait so long. And this is a private dentist.

Sorry for the essay. All in all, I was just wondering if I'm over-reacting? The ache isn't bad enough to warrant painkillers so I don't feel I can ask for an emergency appointment. But I'm just so worried and can't concentrate on anything else. Has anyone else had a root canal take ages to heal? And how can you tell what's 'healing pain'? And what's re-infection pain?

Thanking you all in advance

Hollyt

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi Hollyt,

Four months is more than enough for a tooth to heal and if you feel something there that means there is something there... having said that, it is certainly not an emergency dental-wise, but the fact it takes its toll mentally speaking makes it more urgent.
My suggestion: The problem with the commonly used X-ray image is that it is a 2-dimensional image that represents a 3-dimensional situation, meaning sometimes you don't see everything. Ask the dentist to make 2 X-rays from two different angels. Another idea: make a cone-beam CT imagery. It involves more X-ray radiation but gives you a definite diagnosis.

 

[hollyt]

Hi Dr Daniel

Thanks for your reply.

They did take a number of x-rays from lots of different angles, as I kept fussing, and still said there was no signs of infection. Though that was two months ago now. The pain is no worse, just went away for a while and has no decided to revisit again.

The dentist did say it could take up to six months for the gums to heal, and it is the gum/top of tooth that's niggling, rather than the tooth itself. I still think it shouldn't be niggling though... so hard to tell!

 

[jellyfish]

IANAD - but I have had several RCT teeth take ages to stop hurting. I had strong bite pain for months on all three of my RCT teeth, lasting up to a year. One tooth felt unpleasant if pressed on the side of the gum for more than two years afterwards, but finally started feeling normal after I had the bite on my crown adjusted slightly.