Help! The last couple of months of my life have been miserable. I'll try to keep this as short as possible. I had two root canals done on teeth #13 and 15. I had some really bad side affects shortly thereafter so I new something was wrong. I had #13 retreated then finally extracted. There was a large infection underneath the tooth. I thought my problems were then over. Boy was I wrong! #13 started healing normally for a few days. Then I developed "phantom tooth pain". I also developed a burning feeling. (The doctor confirmed that this was not dry socket either). Finally it got so bad, I actually had the doctor reopen the extraction site cause I could have sworn he left something in there. (this is about 2 and a half weeks ago). He didn't find anything of course. Well, then it gets worse. Then I started experiencing symptoms of neuralgia- the stabbing like pain, the electric shock feeling and just general pain. I also feel like the swelling in this area is not really going down. Here's my question. 1) is it possible that this neuralgia feeling is just a symptom of the healing process and that possibly it may go away in a few more weeks? I've also been feeling generally weak and not full of energy. Is it possible that I may have a bone infection or can another infected tooth actually cause these severe symptoms. (On a side note, I do not seem to be having pain coming directly from another tooth). Any ideas would be greatly apprectiated!

Hi Illana,
I had tooth 14 extracted 15 years ago and immediately had a burning feeling. I went for many consultations and all they could really tell me is that it's "atypical odontalgia". Usually with maxillary molars after any intervention and usually when the patient (usually female) is around 45 years old, more or less. I thought I had trigeminal neuralgia because my friend developed it after a lidocaine injection from her dentist, but it is not that. My pain was also "phantom" but it hurt in the tooth in front of the extraction more than the extraction site itself.

I was treated with a small dose of elavil, which helps chronic pain. It helped but I really didn't want to be on any drug. Your situation may be totally different, this is real early, you just had this done and sometimes the nerves just have to simmer down. I had another root canal that felt painful for a while...so yes, it is possible for it to simmer down. I will leave the expert advice to Bryanna but as far as infection, check your temperature and if you suspect something, get an x-ray in your possession (usually they can even email it to you so you can get a second opinion but you don't even have to tell them why). I am so sorry you're going through this. I have too but it settled down eventually, with MANY teeth. You may just be a real slow healer. Please post what the dentist says and how you feel.

Thank you for responding. Well I haven't had the electric shock type of feeling for the last couple of days so I'm hoping that its not neuralgia, and maybe just the healing process. I'm going for a complete evaluation tomorrow. Today I just have a pressure sensation in my head. I wish this would all go away soon. I hope nothing "blows up" over the holiday weekend. Wishing you a very happy fourth of July!

Just to give you an update. The dentist said I might have neuralgia and I should see a specialist. I'm a little nervous now. It is still relatively soon after the extraction so I don't think I will be able to know for sure for at least two months. However, I was hoping this pain wasn't something permanent. Here's hoping that time makes this go away......