severe pain 8 weeks after root canal

[heydelores]

I had a root canal done about 8 weeks ago on my last molar on the lower right. I felt some relief immediately afterwards. For the next 2 weeks, it felt like it was healing, but then it got painful again. I went back to the dentist. He removed the filling and irrigated the canal. It's still extremely painful. My whole right bottom jaw hurts, from my front teeth to my ear. The dentist says there is no sign of infection, and that the surrounding teeth all appear to be fine, but for as long as it's painful, he wants me to come everyday so he can irrigate the canal. He said that 3%-4% of root canal patients get this lingering pain and that the only thing to do is keep it clean and give it time. Does that sound right? I expect some discomfort, but this is severe pain that wakes me up at night and makes talking and eating difficult.

Does this sound like something that will go away on its own if I keep it clean and give it time, as the dentist said? Could there be something else causing this pain? Is there anything that can be done to fix the problem? Is there something I can do to manage the pain in the meantime?

I should add that I live in Korea. I'm taking Tylenol and Advil for the pain, but they don't always work, and Korean dentists can't prescribe a stronger painkiller.

[heydelores]

To JB: Yes, the dentist filed (or something) the tooth down, so it doesn't make contact when I chew or bite, but I don't chew on that side anyway because of the pain.

If it does have another root, how would he know? Would it show up on an xray?

To mike: The dentist did finish the root canal back in November, but when it started causing pain again, he removed the rubbery filling from it and reirrigated the canal. Since then, I've only had a temporary filling or just cotton inside my tooth. And a trip to the US isn't an option, but thanks for the suggestion anyway.

[mike1105]

it is not possible to "irrigate" a finished root canal. If indeed it is being irrigated, your root canal procedure is not finished. you need somehow to see a root canal specialist. if you cannot find one, go to the US.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

There can be a number of things that are going on--these are possibilities because I can not give you a definitive diagnosis without seeing you. One of the possibilities is that there is another canal in the tooth that has not been discovered. If you are in this much pain I would consider giving you an antibiotic. I would hope that the doctor removed the tooth from occlusion so that you would not be able to bite on it when you put your teeth together.If the tooth shows no sign of an infection then I don't see the reason to irrigate every day.I don't know if you have a root canal specialist  in your area but that might be someone you should consult at this time.