burning sensation after 3 root canals & gold crown

[sjsp06]

During the past three weeks I've had a gold crown put on tooth #18, root canals on teeth # 18,31 &29,a filling on tooth #2, and a bridge put on teeth # 29,30 and 31. I now have a burning sensation and a numbness that comes and goes on the right side of my tongue, under the tongue and on the sides of my cheeks as well as a dull pain around the area of the bridge.  It seems to worsen durning the night after going to bed and progresses to the point of making it impossible to sleep by 4 A.M. During the day the pain can be managed with 800 mg of Advil every 6-8 hours, but does little  for the numbness/burning feeling I have or the inablity to taste food. My local dentist says I have a low pain tolerance and suggested I take Vicodin until the pain passes, however after being seen for an accidental Tylenol overdose following the oral sedation appointment when the majority of the work was done, that's not an option.  Since having the permanent crown and bridge seated the pain is not as sharp, but is more of a dull pain. I'd like to know how long can I expect the pain and the inability to taste food to continue?  Is this a normal reaction to having so much dental work done, could it be an allergy or should I be looking for a second opinon? I'm more uncomfortable and unable to eat now, than I was before having the work done!?

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I would see an oral surgeon for a consult relating to problem with your tongue. You should not be in this much discomfort and I do not think that vicodin is the answer.I would be interested in knowing what is the source of the pain.Is it the tooth that had the rct or another tooth related to the bridge? If you get no satisfaction from your dentist or the oral surgeon I would seek out another opinion from another dentist.