Nose Bleed after Root Canal - Sinus Puncture/Infection?

[lorken]

  Hi, I'm 46 & have never had a nosebleed in my life until a recent RCT.  This is my second RCT (the first was last fall on a left upper molar (2nd from back) without any problems/complications by the same Dentist).
  On Feb 17 I had an RCT on a right upper molar (3rd from back).  The tooth had abscessed in early January and my Dentist put me on a 10 day course of amoxycillin.  During that time, the infection moved from the upper jaw/ear area  over to the right front of my face - I felt pain when I touched the right side of my nose, my cheekbone, and my upper right gums. (I fist noticed it when washing my face.)
  After the first course of amoxy ended, I waited a week and the pain was still there, so I phoned the Dentist's office and got a 2nd 10-day course.  The RCT was done halfway through the second course.
  During the RCT at one point, it felt like something (the gutta percha?) in one of the "inner" canals (i.e. on the tongue side, not the cheek side) was going right up the side of my nose (is that normal?). After the RCT the tooth was sensitive on that same inner side when I touched it with my tongue (I didn't try to chew on it).  This sensitivity seemed to flare up & down during the following days (felt like pressure related pain) but overall was subsiding slowly.  At times I also had a light roaring in my right ear (like the start of an ear infection).  It too flared up & receded on various days but I didn't keep track if it was linked to the pressure pain.
  - continued next post-

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

If the tooth that was being treated was the first molar it is a little surprising that the symptoms would be so far towards the front of your mouth.I have never had a patient experience a nose bleed associated with root canal therapy. The sensitivity to biting is not unusual after rct. If the discomfort presists you might consider seeing an endodontist(root canal specialist).

[mike1105]

i would see a root canal specialist to have the dental work evaluated to see if it could be a part of the cause of your problems. If this is ruled out, I'd see an ENT specialist

[lorken]

   1 week after the RCT (Feb 26), I went for a leisurely 40 minute walk then had a warm-hot shower. A half-hour out of the shower my nose bled slightly, but stopped when I sniffed (never had one before so didn't know how to properly treat it).
   3 hours later, the nosebleed returned and didn't stop all night - I finally had to go to a clinic & get it packed.  After removal, I avoided blowing, lifting, strenuous exercise, etc. & rested well.
   5 days later (Mar 2) the Dentist inserted the post & temporary crown. I still had some sensitivity on that one spot (inner side), but nothing unbearable. Told the Dentist about the nosebleed, but she didn't think it was related to the RCT & didn't do any special checking.
   2 days later (Mar 5) I went for an even more leisurely 40 minute walk (didn't want to strain at all) & had a warm-hot shower, then watched for any problem.  Sure enough, 2 hours later the nose bleed started again. I was better prepared & able to stop it myself after 45 minutes, but observed that at times it was throbbing in the same place where I thought I had felt the gutta percha go in.    I also noted that the ear roaring had flared up in the hours before the nosebleed.
   I'm scheduled to get the perm crown on Mar 14.
   Is it possible this nosebleed problem is related to the RCT? As I said, I'd never had a nosebleed in my life until now. I haven't been hit in the head or otherwise traumatized recently, am not on any prescription medication, don't do drugs, but regularly drink wine on the weekends (not weekdays). I am approx 30 lbs overweight and do have to watch my blood pressure - I usually walk every evening to manage stress levels & keep BP down.
   Any advice would be greatly appreciated - I'm starting to be afraid to go anywhere/do anything in case my nose starts bleeding again.