Dull ache in molar

[Idawoman]

Back on January 22nd, I posted about having pain in a molar next to a molar that had been extracted.  The molar that had been extracted had a root canal done on it in October 2003 and was crowned as well.  I had experienced that same dull ache in that crowned tooth.

Background here - At the end of October 2005 I had pain and sensitivity in a lower right molar.  I had a root canal done then.  No sooner was that done, then the upper right molar started - another root canal.  This pain then transferred over to the left side - a molar and biscupid but no sensitivity.  Two more root canals. The latest was the lower left molar that got extracted and now the one next to it acting up - no sensitivity to it, just a dull ache.  My dentist and endodontist are baffled.  Cannot find anything on xray or testing. They've never seen anything like it.

Out of 4 root canals performed - only two had the sensitity but all four had the dull ache.  This latest of course dull ache no sensitivity.  All molars had been heavily filled.

I'm off to another endodontist today to see about his latest problem molar.  I'm so fed up.

[SlowDown]

Hi, I just had a root canal done. It was sensitive to hot and cold. It was fine for 3 weeks then put the crown on and one week later the tooth throbs and is sensitve but not to hot and cold. What do I do now? What do you think is wrong? Thanks

[gumdoc]

It sounds like some of these problems may not necessarily be due to root canal problems.  There are other causes for pain which are often mistaken for "root canal" pain.  Rule out sinus problems, or certain nearualgias "nerve problems"  which can cause this type of migrating pain.  Also, have your dentist evaluate your bite to make sure you are nor bruxing or grinding you teeth.

[Idawoman]

Update on my latest visit to the endodontist.

The one I went to see today was young, very pleasant, informative.  He ran all kinds of tests on that tooth, asked me all kinds of questions.  As I mentioned previously the tooth is heavily filled with an old filling, I don't have any kind of sensitivity and am able to chew on that molar without pain.  The opinion of this endodontist is that my symptoms are not conducive to having a root canal done.  He feels that with the extraction of the tooth next to this one, the healing process is still continuing and is having some kind of effect on this molar.  He had explained why he felt the problem was not root related based on symptoms.  Amazingly enough when I lie my head down at night to sleep, the pain subsides considerably or disappears altogether until I get up again the next day. Thank goodness I can sleep.

As it stands I wait longer and see how it is going to go.  If the pain gets worse or if I end up with sensitivity I am to contact him and he will do the procedure.  

I spoke to a friend who told me that she had experienced the same as what I'm going through. Her dentist and endodontist could not find anything. She lives in another country. She said finally after 4 months the pain disappeared and never came back. I hope I don't have to wait that long.

Just posting this in case it helps anyone else.

[Matthew Baron, D.M.D.]

Good luck!