I had a root canal 6 months ago. It continues to have this ache. It is not a sharp pain just this almost constant dull ache. They have x rayed and don't see anything wrong. I have had root canals and none has ever bother me at all. What could be wrong?

Hi dapp,

Have they ruled out the possibility of an extra nerve in tooth? Have they checked and adjusted the bite? Are you clenching or grinding your teeth? Have stress levels been higher the past 6 months than before the root canal was done?

Sorry for answering your question with questions but I'd like a little more information. :)

After the root canal was done I told the dentis about the tooth still bothering me. They x-rayed it again about 2 weeks or so after the root canal and said everything looks fine. The teeth right above this tooth have been pulled. I do all of my eating on the other side. There isn't anything that I can think of that would be irritating it. The tooth right beside it had a root canal right before this one was done. I have had no problems with this one. I have not went back to the dentist in hopes that it would clear up. If I did call to go back I don't know what they could do for it. Right now I feel I should just have it pulled. I would like to save the tooth but at what cost and then after trying to save it I would have to have it pulled anyway. I wish I knew what was wrong and why I have this constant ache. It is not a severe ache. It is not a sharp pain almost like a throbbing type ache. If nothing shows up on an x-ray what could it be?

You might want to go see an endodontist (specializes in root canals). There could very well be an auxiliary nerve that can't be seen on an x-ray. They may have to remove the filling and take a real close look at the inside where the canals are. The other thing, is the filling material in the canals overflowing out the root tip? Hopefully the dentist showed you the x-ray to explain what he saw.

You could try taking some Advil for a few days to see if the throbbing stops.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I am making another appointment with the dentist.

Please let us know how you make out. Good luck!

I have the same problem! I had root canal treatment on a back molar a couple of months ago and it is still aching, on and off, and as you say, I don't eat on that side at all, and the x-ray looks fine. I am also thinking if it continues I will just have the tooth pulled, which I would rather not do!