Hello,
I have been in pain since December!! It all started with my dentist taking out a very old filling and replacing it with a spanking new white one! Well one thing led to another and the pain became worse and worse. It ultimately led to a root canal which I thought would solve my problems. No such luck! My dentist did not want to put a crown on it because it was still sore so he just filled it, this time with a silver filling and said to just give it some time and hopefully it would calm down. He filled it with no novacaine so I / we know its not a nerve exposed that perhaps the periodontist may have missed. I didn't feel a thing when he filled it. Just pain from actually touching the tooth. I have been back and forth to the dentist and the periodontist a numerous amount of times and they both say its fine... its not fine... it hurts... when I touch it, bite down on it... and most of the time in between... I finally gave up and learned to live with it and for a while it seemed to be feeling better but lately I get a sharp pain up the side of my head and the tooth is hurting again most of the time. The last time the dentist looked at it he said it looked good. I told him it still hurt but he just ignored that and said it looked good. I've had sooooo many x-rays and nothing shows up. The only possible reason they told me was that the tooth was very close to my sinus, which would explain the pain in my face as well. The tooth was filed so its not hitting my bottom teeth at all.
I'm thinking of just going to an oral surgeon and getting it pulled. Eight months is long enough... any ideas... anyone??

Oops... I meant to say endodontist. Not periodontist. Sorry.

You may have to decide to have it out. There is possibly a crack in the root but they won't be able to confirm it until the tooth is out of your mouth.

Would a cracked root make the entire tooth hurt?

You bet it would!

Could it be hitting my sinus and that is why I am in pain. My dentist told me months ago that there is probably something wrong with my sinus. The endodondist said it is very very close to the sinus. I've NEVER had any issues with my sinus before... it has to be the tooth. So is it possible that the tooth root is hitting the sinus and causing the pain, and if so, what then? Is all pointing to getting the tooth pulled? Also do you think my next stop should be an oral surgeon, since it's a molar?
Thanks

It wouldn't hurt to have a consult with an oral surgeon. He might be able finally get you out of pain.

Thanks Flossie! I''ll make an apt. w/an oral surgeon and hopefully get to the "root" of the problem... lol
Does it sound like a sinus problem to you though?

Are you having any problem with your sinus? Constant congestion? Pain in the cheek bone area on the side where the tooth trouble is?
If not, then no it probably isn't a sinus problem.

Are you sure it is that same tooth? Some times it can be referred pain. Also, the tooth is surrounded by a ligament called the PDL. Sometime that gets soooooo inflamed that you can't bite down on it until the inflammation subsides. It can be excruciating. The remedy it to take it out of contact which you say you did and give it a long rest. They usually recommend you take an anti inflammatory and rinse with warm salt water rinses. 8 oz water as warm as is comfortable and a tablespoon of salt. Rinse 4-5 times a day for a couple days. Good luck!

Also, did you try taking an sinus OTC medicine for a couple days?

Hmmmmmm. That's interesting. But since December? I would think the pain would have been gone by now.

I have pain on that side of my face but its now exactly on my cheek. Its more off to the upper side closer to my temple . Does that sound like a sinus issue? Also, no I am not congested. I think they are telling me its sinus related because nobody can tell me why I'm really still in pain.
I am going to move forward and get a consult with an oral surgeon.
Thanks...

If the oral surgeon says it's a sinus problem then you should schedule an appointment with an ENT (ear, nose and throat)specialist.

Sometimes teeth that have had root canals can become ankylosed to the bone around it which in turn can cause discomfort. Again, until the tooth is removed you don't know for sure.

No, I haven't taken any otc sinus medication. I'm not congested at all. I think they mean that the root of the tooth is so very close to the sinus that its causing a problem. That's really the only answer the dentists can come up with... and its an assumption.
Thanks for the information. I'll keep you posted.

Hi YogiP, I'm very interested to know what eventually happened in your situation.

The most likely thing in my opinion is that the tooth may have a fractured root. They are undetectable on x-rays. That will cause an abcess, infection, in that area and it does hurt very much. Especially to pressure.

Also, a tooth's structure, microscopically, is made of tubules. It is impossible to completely sterilize a tooth. It is not uncommon for a tooth that has already had root canal therapy to need a second root canal to possibly clean it out better. It is also a "dead" structure in your body now, which can cause problems. The root canal being done cuts off the blood supply to the tooth and it is no longer alive. This makes the tooth structure brittle and prone to breakage, which is why it's very possible that it could have fractured in an area you cannot see, underneath the gums. Your only solution may be to have it removed. If you do end up deciding to have it taken out, there are a number of ways to replace the tooth. Your dentist can tell you more about them, but don't let him/her leave any options out! There are: Flippers (a flipper is like a retainer with a tooth attached to it and is mainly used as a temporary measure to ensure no shifting of your teeth occurs), Maryland bridges, fixed bridges, removable partial (they can be made to replace only one tooth), and dental implants. If you have your tooth out and need to choose a way to replace it, do your homework so that you can make the best educated decision for yourself. There are pros and cons to anything.