Desparately wanting to save my molar!!!

[Heidigirl]

Aug.6th I had several silver fillings replaced;molar #31 has given me pain ever since. Tried a medicated filling, then 1 month later, Endo did a root canal-said he saw a little decay, but procedure went well.4 days later, still had pain (which he thought was unusual). Took 10 days worth of Keflex (just in case),though he saw no sign of infection.Didn't work. Tried prednisone(by now my tmj had become severe).My old splint didn't fit, so started wearing a football guard splint temporarily, just to keep the sore tooth covered when I clench at night.My tooth is still very sore in the am. Two weeks after the rc, he retreated the tooth(2nd rc). Said he saw nothing suspicious this time. The second part of that 2nd rc was 11 days ago (again, he said it was clean as a whistle- he is baffled by my pain). I started PT for my TMJ and it has improved alot(but hasn't eliminated my tooth pain). I have been taking ibuprofen daily since August.(as much as 1800 mg per day)It does help, but for my liver's sake, and to see if my pain is decreasing, I have been trying to decrease down to 800-1000mg. Some days are better than others. My question: With all the trauma that my tooth has been through, is it reasonable to think it might take as long as 4 - 6 weeeks to heal?  At what point(if at all)do I get a 2nd opinion from another endodontist and/or meet with an oral surgeon? What would you do if you were me?

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I certainly would not be living on the pain medication. I would get a second opinion with another endodontist asap.

[Zzzdentist]

You certainly could try getting a second opinion from another endodontist, but I wonder whether the problem could be coming from your clenching/grinding habit.  You might want to look into a new splint, and see whether that might help the symptoms.  If you are grinding or clenching, the tooth can still ache and be sore due to occlusal trauma.

There can be also other causes of continued problems such as referred pain, a hairline fracture in the molar, or trigeminal neuralgia.

Zzzdentist