Why Does My Tooth Still Hurt?!

Why Does My Tooth Still Hurt?

I had an old root canal reopened last week because that tooth was throbbing. The root canal was 15 yrs old and wasn't done right. Anyhow, it was reopened...the Doc said it would stop throbbing and hurting. Well, it isn't as bad as it was but it still slightly throbs and it is sensitive to the cold wind. What is up with that? Any Dentists out there that can advise? I am scheduled to get it finished in two weeks. She said she went all the way through so that the abcess wouldn't blow up. I'm worried. Thank you.

2 months ago
I just started taking homeopathic antibiotics that were indicated to work. I started yesterday....the procedure was started on Monday. Is it that the infection is still there thus causing the sensitivity? I'm so worried.

It seems as if the dentist had to open up the tooth and drain the infection. This procedure is called emergency open and drain. It is normal for a tooth to be sore/throbbing after this procedure. The good sign is that your pain has decreased after the procedure. The tooth will not stop hurting all together untill you get the root canal treatment completed.

The reason why dentist has to do this emergency open and drain procedure is 1) to drain infection and 2) to put medicine in the canal/s that will start killing bacteria present there.

I am sorry to say this but even after you get the R.C.T. finished, it is normal for that tooth to be sore for about 2 weeks. Your tooth being sensitive to the cold wind indicates that either you have lost a portion of your temporary filling or may be a tooth close by is also having cavity that needs to be fixed.

One other possible reason for your tooth to be still throbbing and sensitive could be a missed canal. Sometimes if the tooth has unusual anatomy it is impossible to locate all canals. Again, I do not want to alarm you with this possibility because the chances are remote.

In summary, on your part you should take all the antibiotics and/or pain medicines that doctor prescribed religiously. I would also suggest you should call up your dentist and ask him/her to evaluate your tooth for :
1)lost temporary filling
2)chances of cavities in nearby teeth and
3) possibility of missed canal.

Good luck !