Do I need a root canal, or is it something else?!
Question: Do I need a root canal, or is it something else?
Anyway, long story short, after four months that front right tooth (#8) now hurts worse than anything I've ever felt. I went to the ER 5 days ago where I was prescribed Vicodin and Penicillin. The doctor said he saw no infection, but gave me some antibiotics anyway.
I went to the dentist yesterday. The said that they couldn't see any infection or any abscess on the X-ray, but due to extreme pain when tapping or touching the tooth and/or outside of the root at the gum line, I needed a root canal.
Here are my questions: Does pain with or without tapping on a tooth on a tooth indicate needing a root canal even though no infection was seen? Also, wouldn't the use of antibiotics for almost six days start to relieve some of the pain if indeed the tooth was infected? Because it hasn't lessened in the least. Also, could the previous dentist I saw be responsible for me needing a root canal after filling in between that tooth?
Does it hurt to have a root canal and crown on a front tooth?
Any comments, opinions or facts would be greatly appreciated. I'm freaking out, and in a lot of pain! Thanks!
Answers:
As there is no identifiable infection which could be causing the pain, the dentist is probably wise in recommending a root canal. This will basically remove all the nerve and other soft tissue from the tooth which will stop any pain coming from this tooth. Personally, I'd wager that somehow your incisor has become fractured which is why you experience pain when you tap on the tooth. In this case a root canal and crown are the ebst options. Without actually viewing any x-rays, we can only trust what the dentist has recommended.
If you're really unsure and sceptical, it doesn't hurt to have a second opinion from another dentist.
In regards to whether a root canal hurts, it doesn't. The dentist will use an anaesthetic infiltration to anaesthetise the tooth and you will not feel a single thing. Even the needle being put into your gum will be barely noticeable. Ask for a topical anaesthetic to be applied to your gum before the needle is inserted.
Dental Student.
If the nerve in that tooth is dying, it may not actually be infected, but still giving severe pain. That is usually the first sign of a dying nerve. That would explain why nothing is seen on the xray yet and why the antibiotics don't seem to help. A dying nerve will cause infection days or even months later. Usually dentists try to treat these problems before the infection gets worse.
Was there a lot of drilling on these teeth? Were there any previous fillings on these teeth? Was there any deep drilling done? Was the tooth ever knocked or chipped? Such things could cause "trauma" to the tooth which, if bad enough, starts the process of the nerve dying.
If the tooth is giving you severe pain it is likely a nerve problem that requires a root canal. Other things to look at is the stability of the new fillings, possible 'normal' sensitivity from the filling that may be reversible, or a filling that is too high in your bite.
If you indeed do need a root canal and/or crown, it should not hurt you. Make sure you tell your dentist if it hurts while they work. They should give you more anesthetic. After a root canal you may be sore for a day or two, but it should feel better than your tooth does now.