dental problems post root canal, biting pain over 1 year,etc

[nomorenicknames]

Had a crown put on a broken tooth. After that I had biting pain in one area. Tried new crown etc. Finally had root canal, last january, after root canal had biting pain on all areas of tooth and can even feel something when touching sides and top of tooth. Last molar in back on bottom. I do have tmj, I can feel a high point in that area when I have my mouth closed. Dentist, endo and oral surgeon say they see no high spots, so I guess I must be crazy, it's only my mouth! Best of all, I saw the endo again and he basically told me it's all in my head, the xrays are beautiful, to go ahead and eat on that side (SURE!!) and get the permanent filling put in by my regular dentist. I believe he needs to go in there and check it or I need to see a tmj or some kind of specialist ( I did  see a tmj/oral surgeon here, but he said to see the endo, to either redo the root canal or have it pulled, didn't even do a tmj workup on me)> Now, why are these drs. just passing me by and I have been in discomfort for 1 1/2 years. I don't know what to do. I have spent thousands already and if I get a second opinion from another endo what will that cost? Can anyone help me with getting my original endodontist to open up this tooth and use the magnifier to check for cracks or is there another specialist I should see. I am going crazy here! I can't belive all the trouble I am having trying to figure this out on my own and I can't believe my endos advice. He came highly qualififed and the root canal was fast easy painless with great xrays but I can not eat on that tooth! Help me please. M

[nomorenicknames]

bump, help someone, please. m

[nomorenicknames]

I guess this board is not very busy. Does anyone know of a site where I can get answers/opinions? I am going crazy here. Thanks!

[shezly]

I can relate to your pain.
I had a root canal done and complained about pain for several years.
I asked the endo doctor to redo the canal and had relief.
My pain was from an incomplete root canal.
Your pain could be from a crack not seen in the x-ray at the root.
Anything is possible, please do not give up.
Good luck

[nomorenicknames]

Thank you for answering, did you get complete relief after your redo? The thing is , I have to now pressure my endo into doing a redo, at least going in and looking at the tooth again. He basically told me it was fine. He was very reputable so I do not understand this attitude. I think I am going to have my regualr dentist call or write him, I can't go on like this and I don't want to pull it as a first resort. Anyone else? thanks

[Jesska]

I'm in the same boat, having a non-usable throbbing molar (that's already been de-rooted, crowned, and STILL HURTS) and a seemingly retarded Endo (though highly regarded) is totally frustrating.
I'll rip out yours if you rip out mine?

[nomorenicknames]

Jesska, do you have biting pain and discomfort when pressing on sides of tooth? Have you been able to rectify your problem? What is with these Endos?!!

[chance's mom]

What has happened since your last post?Is this still an issue?.Let me do just a bit of research.
Endo's really can save the tooth.Several reasons we do them.First and foremost to get you out of pain.By preserving the tooth,you save the bone around it.A crown is placed as it is not as structurally sound.They are not advisable when you must go to heroic measures to try and save it with a poor prognosis.
What was your pocket depth around tooth?Normal ranges 1,2,3,s?If a tooth has a high number 7,8,9s there may be a crack down root not seen.The tissue then pulls away.I am not saying this is the case but in some cases can be a contributing factor.
Relieving a bite can sometimes help as well.Tooth pain can refer.Patient may say"it is definately the bottom tooth".Then we discover it is the top adjacent tooth affected.Do you wear a nightguard or NTI for the TMJ?I am sorry your TMJ Dr. did not follow through.
Your endontist should have done your RCT  under a microscope.Final exray and report is then sent to your general DDS.If it still bothers you,and has never been right,ask him to take another look.Speak to his front office person,and ask to have endodontist give you a call.Explain your concerns and pain ask him where do we go from here?

[nomorenicknames]

Hi, I am seeing the endo for yet another recheck real soon. I will bet you he brushes me off and gets irritated because his root canal job was just perfect on xray. Never mind that I can't bite on that tooth and have not used that side of my mouth in 2 years. I am hoping he looks inside with the magnifier ( which, for the *&*&ing life of me, I can not understand why they don't do WHEN they are doing the root canal in the first place!!) and see if it looks ok in there. I have  a feeling there is a crack. I don't know what else it could be. Of course I'm worried about referred pain, all the molars have felt sore from time to time and I can't get any answers from any doctors.  I have a crown on the tooth, had it before the root canal. I had pocket depth checked, it was fine.  I can't wear a night guard, I tried 2 different ones. I really can't believe it is not this tooth. It had pain on biting before the root canal and after. Also when you touch or grab the sides of this molar, you can feel discomfort. I feel a tooth hitting when I close my mouth but everytime I have my bite checked it comes out fine, GO Figure! I am at a loss, I can't believe they can't figure out what my problem is. I am so stressed you cannot believe.  Wish me good fortune, and I pray I get some answers and relief, this sucks. These professionals are obligated to help their patients not shine them on and tell them it's all in their heads. What the hell. . N

[nomorenicknames]

Hi, here I am again. Went to endo and he refuse to retreat. Said the xrays are perfect. Doesn't know what is causing the biting pain and sensitivity to touch. I have to have a new crown put on because it chipped so I am trying to find a dentist with a magnifier who, also I see, is willing to look for a crack. First one I found, the receptionist is trying to tell me that the magnifier may not even see a crack if it is below the gums etc. Well, how about just checking it first  What is it with drs . these days that they do not even pretent to want to help. I am angry , sad and scared. I have been dealing with this for ove 3 years!! If I get this tooth pulled how will they give me a replacement? It is the last molar in the back, can it be attached to just one side. I am scared of getting an implant. I am so frustrated.

[scottma]

Dear nomorenicknames:
       It appears that you have a crown on endodontically treated tooth. Does your problem develop before crown placement or after ? A crown on the last molr(assuming 2nd molar)is easy to create occlusal interference(high spot).Third molar is even worse.If it's 3rd molar, extraction is the best option. If you plan to redo a crown, see if you have your symptoms resolved. If you do'nt, you need to find a dentist who is specialized in occlusion. Detection of occlusal interference is highly technique sensitive. It is advised that you find someone who received advanced training from Dawson center . If adjustment of occlusion does'nt resolve your problem, central nervous system sensitization is a possibility. This condition is best managed by phamacotherapy. Good luck
Regards

[nomorenicknames]

Hi, The problem started when a small piece of tooth chipped off, I had a crown placed and that is when the biting pain started. After the root canal, had biting pain and pain when touching the tooth . I had the bite adjusted many times , it is not high. There are no specialists here. I am hours away from a large city. Wha does central nervous system sensitization mean? And do you mean I need drugs to manage this? Please explain? If I have the tooth pulled, won't the pain go away. Thanks for answering! N

[scottma]

Dear nomorenicknames:
       I do'nt know if your bite is really completely perfected. As I said earlier, occlusion adjustment is highly technique sensitive, it's advised that an evaluation performed by a well trained occlusionest is essential. Sensitization of central nervous system refers to a condition that brain processes input signal differently after peripheral tissue injury.Root canal treatment is a procedure that denervates tooth pulp tissue(nerve). It's reported that endodontically treated tooth may occasionally develop hypersensitive response to non-injurious stimulus such as light touch, thermal stimulous. Phamacologic management may employ antidepressants( off-label use), gabapentin. You need to see a neurologist for the condition. I personally do'nt think you are crazy or psyco. There is an organic cause .Good luck
regards

[scottma]

I forgot one point to answer. If the condition is caused by sensitization of central nervous system. extraction of the offending tooth is not likely to resolve the problem.

[nomorenicknames]

this is getting more complicated. the endo told me it was the pdl that was causing the sensation witht the touch and the bite problem I was told by a supposed tmj specialist could be a crack. I have never heard of what you are saying before in all the research I have done and now I am more nervous than ever.

[scottma]

Your condition is not complicated at all.Please get the book" bell's orofacial pains" fifth edition, by Jeffrey P. Okeson, Qb, quintessence books. You can find information regarding sensitization of central nervous system and a condition known as " atypical odontalgia". Your symptom is not consistent with classical presentation of atypical odontalgia. That's why I did'nt mention this entity in previos reply. However, I still feel occlusal interference is the like cause of your problem. Root fracture is not likely,because if it is present, and for such a long time, the offending tooth genarally will get infection and abscess or periapical pathology will be present. Good luck
regards

[nomorenicknames]

Thanks, so are you saying my regular dentist and my endodontist and the oral surgeon I saw are not qualified to fix this problem. I don't know who to see. I called the Dawson Center and they are not able to give referalls. What does someone who lives in a rural area do? I thought my previous drs. where somewhat knowledgeable about this, one did mention neuropathy but I don't really fit the symptoms. It does feel like I am hitting somewhere in that area with my mouth closed but it is hard to determine. When I have the dentist check it out with that blue sheet of paper, it always comes out ok. I am going crazy. N

[scottma]

It's much easier to detect occlusal interference with Dawson's bimanual manipulation technique. Quite frequently, the occlusal interferrence can not be detected by patient volunteer closure. Endodontist and oral surgeon are generally not familliar occlusal adjustment procedure. Good luck
regards

[MedGirl27]

Ok I am just chiming in but I had multiple root canals. Only two of them failed and both happened after 1 yr of being done. It was horrible. I was working so hard at the time and had no money to pay. In fact one time I paid on a credit card and cried because the pain of paying was worse than the pain of the procedure. I think they should totally take what you are saying seriously. If you are in pain and they take xrays you can always take them with you to another dentist to get them to look at them. Dental pain is a lot worse in the rural areas of the US no doubt. I feel like you should get relief from the doctors though and it makes me mad that they would brush you off. What kind of insurance do you carry?

[nomorenicknames]

My dental insurance does not cover anything but the basics. And they don't pay much on that. I have thrown away thousands of dollars so far. Along with all this talk of medical insurance for all, they should be talking dental insurance for all, even those of us with medical insurance. Why don't your teeth count as important! Anyway,, My xrays are picture perfect. If there is a crack it is below where the xray can see. As for seeing someone from this Dawson' school , like I said they dont' give referalls and just try to find an expert in anything when you are in a rural area. I am going to get this tooth checked by a dentist today.  Under magnification. I'll let you know what happens but I have no faith they will e ither, take me seriously, take the time to try to figure it out, or even care. That has been my experience with all t hings medical. They don't see a problem up front and they don't care to investigate. N

[lorim312]

I know nothing about dental problems but I am having some of your same symptoms. My dentist is wondering two things about it. One is the possibility that I may have a sinus infection in the mastoid sinus behind the ear and the other is that because of prior problems with my neck my pain may be related to nerve damage. I don't know but I can relate to the worry and the frustration. I hope that you find a solution too. L

[nomorenicknames]

Hi, What are your symptoms? What have you had done? Thanks, N

[deermeat]

WHAT ABOUT SUEING THOSE ____OLE DENTIST WHO SCREWED UP TOOK THE MONEY NOW DON'T WANT TO SEE U'RE FACE AGAIN IF THERES A PROBLEM!!! WHAT TO DO?

[nomorenicknames]

I got another opinion from a dentist who used a magnifier to look at my tooth. He saw no cracks but based on my symptoms he said I should have it pulled. Could be a crack below where the magnification can see. I wish he did see a crack because I would then be sure. Now I have to have a tooth pulled and it is the one in the back so I can't have a bridge and there is no way I am getting an implant after the horror stories I have read and heard. N

[RottenRootyThooty]

I'm fed up with the careless attitude and the run around by all Dental Specialist everyone want to blame the other guy. It needs A RETREAT, Your Insurance won't cover it, maybe it' a fricking crack, maybe you are GRinding your theeth. MAYBE YOU THE DENTISTS NEED be more pro active- as a knowledgable professional , "WE rely on you!!!" . SEND US to SPECIALIST ASAP and HAVE 3D x-rays taken to ***** and evaluate immidiately-WE are not kidding when we say IT HURTS!!! HELP! **Even if we PAY OUT OF POCKET for Special XRAYS to determine if abscess exist or cracks or something that must come OUT!!! it sure beats an infection getting worse, SURGERY or GOD only knows what else!! LISTEN And CARE if it was your mouth you would not think twice. The amount of humilation if had Dentists
tell me they can't treat me because it's to complicated and MY INSURANCE  is an HMO and this and that____
Just have a plan of action and a sincere prognosis!!