tenderness 5 weeks post root canal therapy

[tmv]

Hi and thank you for taking my questions. I had a root canal done 5 weeks ago. I am to go in 3 days for the crown. The referred throbbing constant pain that I had in the temple area to my right ear and back to the #4 tooth is gone. However, I have always had a discomfort when I touch that tooth with my tongue, floss, chew, or tap the tooth. The pain feels like it is at the base of the tooth. It is similar to the discomfort that you feel when a primary tooth is loose. Also, I have had a small "pimple-like" bump just to the anterior of this tooth for about 4 weeks (not sure if it's pertinent or not). I began amoxicillin 500mg q8hrs 5 days ago, leftover from an old rx. The dentist is out on vacation.

    1.  Is this a normal sensation and part of the healing process or a sign of an infection?
    2.  Could there be a root that has been perforated and maybe
        this is a sign that the substance replacing the interior
        of the tooth has exited into the surrounding gum and is causing an irritation up high in my gum?
    3.  What steps should be taken next and should I have the    crown placed while this pain is there?
Thank you again, your comments mean so much. I fully understand that you cannot make an exact diagnosis without viewing it, but it will give me some info for further discussion when my dentist is back into the office.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I would not place a permanent crown on the tooth unless it is totally asymptomatic. I would consider placing a temporary crown to keep the tooth from fracturing.It is possible that there is still an active infection present. I would advise you see the dentist that did the rct to determine if that pimple is from the tooth in question or an adjacent tooth.See a specialist if you need to.

[tmv]

Thank you both so very much. It's good to have the knowledge of both of you behind my dental future! Thanks again.

[mike1105]

it sounds like the root canal may be failing. the little pimple is most likely a fistula through which an infection is slowly draining. root canals can fail for a few reasons--poor technique, insterile field of operation, fracture in the tooth are among a few. In NO WAY SHOULD YOU HAVE A CROWN PLACED AT THIS TIME. I would see an endodontist (root canal specialist) to evaluate the problem.