Hi pdne,

<<<1) Could it be that my temporary relief from pain was just the anesthesia? >>>

YES, THAT IS POSSIBLE IF THE PROBLEM IS FARTHER THAN THE TOOTH.

<<<2) If the tooth was the source of the infection and I'm still feeling pain, could it be that the infection did spread to other areas and that's what I'm feeling now? But then I would think the antibiotics I'm on (amoxicillin) would take care of these problematic areas, especially since these areas aren't "dead" zones like the tooth was.>>>

YES THAT IS ALSO POSSIBLE. THE ANTIBIOTICS MAY OR MAY NOT ERADICATE AN ADVANCED INFECTION. THE ONLY TRUE WAY TO KNOW WHAT ANTIBIOTIC TO PRESCRIBE IS TO HAVE THE BACTERIA CULTURED WHICH WOULD HAVE REQUIRED THE SURGEON TO SWAB THE AREA AND HAVE IT TESTED. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS STEP IS NOT ROUTINELY DONE... BUT IT'S JUST NOT. SO THE PATIENT IS PRESCRIBED A STANDARD ANTIBIOTIC FOR ORAL INFECTIONS.
FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION THE PROBLEMATIC AREAS AS NOT BEING "DEAD" ZONES. ACTUALLY THAT COULD BE A PART OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED. THE BONE SURROUNDING A ROOT CANALED TOOTH BECOMES JUST AS ILL AS THE TOOTH AND DEPENDING ON HOW LONG THE INFECTION HAS BEEN PRESENT DETERMINES HOW ILL THE BONE BECOMES. SO REMOVING THE SOURCE OF THE INFECTION WHICH IS THE TOOTH CAN OFTEN BE THE FIRST STEP IN ERADICATING THE INFECTION. IF THE BONE HAS BECOME ISCHEMIC DUE TO THE LACK OF BLOOD SUPPLY IN THE DISEASED AREA, NECROSIS WILL OCCUR WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY DEAD TISSUE AND BONE. THIS IS WHY IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE SURGEON TO THOROUGHLY DEBRIDE THE SOCKET OF NECROTIC TISSUE AND BONE AFTER THE TOOTH IS REMOVED.

<<<3) Any advice on next steps here? I'm thinking about going to an ENT again and getting some kind of cat-scan or MRI done here. >>>

THE PAIN IN THE CHEEK AREA HAS BEEN SO LONG TERM THAT IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE IF IT IS FROM THE INFLAMMATION FROM THE SURGERY OR PHANTOM PAIN. THE BRAIN IS LIKE A COMPUTER IN THAT IT HOLDS OR REMEMBERS REPETITIVE INFORMATION AND PAIN IN THE BODY IS ONE OF THOSE MEMORIES. I THINK IT WOULD BE WISE TO GIVE THIS ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO TO SEE IF THE PAIN CALMS DOWN. IF NOT, THEN SEEK THE HELP OF AN ENT AND HAVE A SINUS SCAN DONE THAT ALSO SHOWS THE ORAL CAVITY. IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE TWO SEPARATE SCANS. EXPLAIN TO THE ENT THE LONG TERM INFECTION WITH THIS ROOT CANALED TOOTH, THE CHRONIC PAIN IN THE CHEEK AND NOW THE EXTRACTION.

<<Frankly, just a little disappointed the symptoms returned so soon. But after all these years, I'm not surprised. I do think I'm on the right track though. There was definitely something going on with the tooth.>>

I THINK YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK AS WELL. IF NOTHING ELSE, THE TOOTH WAS ILL AND WAS A BURDEN TO YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. SO THANK GOODNESS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT ANYMORE. HOPEFULLY THE PROBLEM WITH THE FACIAL PAIN WILL SUBSIDE OR IF IT CONTINUES IT WILL BE ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED AT THIS POINT.

Bryanna

I have been reading the amazing posts on this website and have gained what I think to be preventive, knowledge by hearing what others are going through.

I think that a positive attitude is an absolute must, because it will get you through the toughest of times. Im dealing with a similar issue of a tooth that was rc'd two months ago and simply wont settle down. It was probably an old tired and chronically infected tooth so maybe the healing is going to go on forever.
I am of the opinion however that root canals are evil. It just doesn't make sense to have a dead tooth in your mouth, and its not worth your immunity.
I feel like my body is not right, and im not able to really have my life back as it impacts every single facet of my day. Its literally in my face now for 3 months plus.
There are no sweet solutions either because its so individual to each tooth, and their owners make up. Im hoping to find relief, to find an answer to this so I can live again. Im also hoping to be healthy enough to have a replacement -implant on myRC 19. Who knows. I used to be vain, now I don't really care if the tooth is extracted, I want my life back!
It resonates, the obsession, the pain, and the difficulties all of the members are expressing with their teeth. Im very leary of the ADA, and every other professional out there. I will be reading more, and I know
everything is going to turn out great for you. Be positive!

medassist

Just thought I'd give an update...unfortunately not much good news to report.

When I last posted, I had my tooth extracted in the hopes that it would solve the facial pain I've been having for nearly a decade. While I felt some relief after the extraction, it looks like it was mostly due to the painkillers and perhaps the fact that the "trauma" of a tooth extraction was masking the chronic pain temporarily.

A few weeks after the extraction, I also got a CAT scan of my sinuses done to make sure everything was good there. The ENT said the results were normal and everything looked fine.

So unfortunately, nothing has changed for me over the past few months and the pain is as it's always been!

Reading Medassist's comment, I can definitely relate to your ordeal. Having something "in your face" is very frustrating. It's a part of your body that's front and center and very difficult to ignore. Unfortunately, I can no longer "be positive" as you suggested. Maybe since you've just started to experience this pain, you can afford to do so but after nearly a decade on my end, I'm afraid I no longer have the luxury of being positive. Time and time again, I've chase a lead only to find disappointment at the end. I'm not a quitter, but how long can one keep searching for an answer?

Anyway, this hasn't been the most inspirational post but if anyone has any more ideas, please let me know. I do plan on getting another cone beam scan just to make sure everything is still good after the tooth extraction. I suspect that it will look fine and I guess it's back to the drawing board for me.

Im so sorry you are going through this, pdne. I had #14 extracted 10 months ago and Im still in pain. Im hoping its coming from #15, which has a huge amalgam in it. Im getting the amalgam replaced on the 15th of this month, so hopefully that solves the pain I'm still having. I was curious if you have replaced your molar yet? If so, I was wondering what you went with(implant/bridge), and how you are doing with it....