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crown pain

I had fractured tooth #14 and my dentist prepped my tooth for a crown.  I had some pain while chewing with the temporary, but not with temperature.  The dentist said that she didn't think that I needed a root canal.  While she was away on vacation, my temporary tooth fell off while I was flossing, and I had to see another dentist in the practice.  She fitted me with my permanent crown, despite telling her that my tooth hurt.  She also said that she didn't think that I needed a root canal, as she said that my symptoms did not present that way. Also, she siad that my x-ray lookd fine.  Since I had reservations and some pain, she used temporary cement on the tooth. The next day, I had to go back to her to have the tooth adjusted as my bite was still off.  She too goes away on vacation and I still have tooth pain.  Again, while I was flossing, my crown fell off, which was just as well as I was still having some tooth pain while chewing.  So, I went in tot the office again, and the other partner adjusted my crown again.  He said that he didn't think that I needed a root canal, but if the pain persisted I would need to see an endodontist.  (all of his took place within a 2 week period).

Last, the night after the dentist did the last shaving of the crown, I was chewing on some popcorn,a nd I was feeling some pain and discomfort in my tooth. i did not bite down on a hard kernel either. So, discouraged, I took 2 advil and went to bed.  Today, I went back to the dentist, completely upset and frustrated, and he told me that he would be willing to redo the impressions and make a whole new tooth, but wanted me to go to the endodontist.  he explained that sometimes the tooth gets traumitzed during the procedure to make the crown, and that eventually it goes away.  other times, it is permanent and requires a root canal.  So, I went straight over to the endodontist, which was not a pleasant experience.  First he took an x-ray, then he tapped on my tooth (which did not hurt), then he was pushing on my gums which did not cause any increased pain as compare to the pther side of my mouth.  Then he sprayed some stuff on his glove which he put on my tooth (after he removed the crown), if made it hurt, and then I had to let him knw when the pain stopped (which was about 2-3 seconds).  He then told me that I am in a "gray area".  That he didn't think that I had an infection, nor did he think that I had any crack in my tooth since it didn't hurt when he was hitting it.  He told me that some people are just sensitive and that what he did, combined wiht my symptoms did not lead himto believe that I have any damage. He then told me that I could either get a root canal and then crown the tooth with permanent cement (he thinks that the temporary cement might be what was bothering me) or I could forgo the root canal, have the tooth permanently cemented and then see what happens.  He said that I would have to make that choice.  That some dentists feel that patients like me who fall in the "gray area" want their patients to have root canlas and some don't. That neither philosophy is worng.  He reattached my crown with temporary cement and told me that he would call my dentist.  He made me feel really bad and had absolutely no patience with me and actually seemed annoyed that I was asking him his opinion on what he would recommend. I mean, he is the tooth specialist...hwo else should I ask?

I am so upset, frustrated and at my wits end.  I went to this  "specialist" to help me, and all he did was give me two solutions that I already knew that I had.  he was absolutley no help at all. I had also read tha the endodentist uses electricity thing on your teeth, but he did not.  I really don't know what to do at this point.  I mean, the point of going to him was that if I needed a root canal, then I wanted  it to be done before the crown is permanently attche dto my tooth.  Ihave never had a root canal or a crown before. All of this is really scary to me.  I don't want to lose my tooth, nor do I want to have pain.

Can you help with with any of this?  I
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
There are a few reasons as to why you might be going through these. The gray area, means that the nerve of the tooth is irritated. If your tooth can recover, you may not need a root canal. If not then you will need it and if not done early enough an infection can even form. Is your pain getting worse, better or the same? We would want to see an improvement as time goes by. If not, more of a chance that you need a root canal. I agree with the last post that you would want to see someone who can correct the bite disease properly because that is what could be causing the problem and can even make the situation worse. See http://www.top3dentists.com/pages/prosthodontal for some more information. Also, make sure you do see a board certified or an endodontist who is highly trained as well. All dentists are not the same and their continuing education and experience is what really what is most important.
Here is some info on root canals also for you http://www.top3dentists.com/pages/endodontics
I can understand your frustration and I hope this information helps you more.
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
The likely cause of your discomfort is probably occlusal interference of new restoration. If your restorative dentist can not adjust the bite to 100% comfortable, seenig an occlusionist or prosthodontist is advised.
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