Root Canal Problem
 

Hi. About 20 years ago I had a root canal filling in one of my front lower teeth. I have never had a problem with this. Then about 18mths ago I had another top back - Tooth 16. I had nothing but problems and continual pain & finally had it out about 3 weeks ago. A couple of days after finishing antibiotics the bottom tooth that I have a root canal in started getting sore and has been really sore ever since, at times aching, but real pain if a bite hard on it, or knock it with a fork or anything. If I rub the gum underneath it is really sore. I know there can be major problems with root canals and wonder how this can be linked??

Hi Raewynl,

FYI... Tooth #16 is a wisdom tooth and rarely... rarely... are wisdom teeth endodontically treated because their root anatomy is usually not conducive for accessing the canals. So it is not a surprise that you had a problem with this tooth right from the onset. I'm sorry you were lead into having that procedure done on that tooth.

With regard to the lower root canaled tooth... the symptoms you are having are just coincidental with the timing of the top tooth. ALL root canaled teeth remain infected and will eventually show signs of infection. It's just a matter of time. To retreat it with another root canal or a surgical apicoectomy only means to retain an infected tooth. Ask your dentist for replacement options on removing this tooth before the infection spreads any further and replacement of it becomes complicated due to the infection.

Wishing you well.. please check back with us with an update.

Bryanna