I had a root canal performed a week ago. Since then, I've been unable to breathe out of my left nostril (same side as root canal performed). As there is no swelling, throbbing or soreness, I don't believe an infection exists. The dentist claims that "he's never heard of such a thing" and insists the problem is pre-existing sinus or allergy problems. It is not.

Has anyone heard of my problem and do you have any suggestions as to what might be done?

Thank you very much.

I'm a dentist and I've never heard of such a result from a root canal either. I'd suggest that you have an ENT doc look at you. Sounds like a sinus problem to me...

I had a root canal done over a year ago and had a feeling like something was blocking the nasal passage on the same side as the root canal had been done. It turns out my root canal was overfilled and the filler material extended into the sinus. The tooth hurt for 6 weeks severely and it still bothers me sometimes. I had antibiotics but it did not seem to make a difference. I had headaches and skin rashes as well. I did not have any of these symptoms before the root canal. Recently, I have met two other people who had this happen to them. One had surgery to remove the filler from her sinus. SHe lost the tooth in the process. Root canals it seems must be done perfect and if they are not they seem to cause problesm. A recent study from Sweden showed that most root canals are underfilled, some overfilled, roots perforated, instruments break off inside the root. Many people are allergic to guttcha percha, it has rubber in it. Additionally, antibiotics don't always clear up infections because the blood supply to the tooth has been sealed off. Root canals are serious business and any dentist who doesn't think they are should just start looking on the internet and read all the cases of people who are suffering or who have suffered from them. There are many things that can go wrong. aLthough some people seem fine afterwards, from my experience there appear to be lots's of people who have had problems from them. I've been told that dentists see an average of 100 patients a week. In my opionion that is too many for the dentist to give good care and not get burnt out. WOuld you want to have surgery from a doctor who had already seen 18 or 19 patients that day and maybe performed procedures on them. I am tired after seeing 5 or 6 clients a day and I am not physically working on them. I would rather pay more money and see a dentist who sees less patients and spends more time with each patient without the presure of trying to get to the next patient.
Sad to say, all the dentists I have seen seem to be in a hurry and have many patients in the waiting room. Haste makes waste. Get an xray of your nasal passages and sinuses, or perhaps a ct scan or an MRI. I have choosen for the time being to live with things as they are because I do not want any more procedures and I am not ready to sacrifice my tooth. However, I worry what this may be doing to my general health and the stuffed up feeling remains with me all the time. I have seen an ENT and had Xrays. Maybe for you it is a sinus problem and not related to the tooth but I would have it checked out. In my case, I had no problems before the root canal and the stuffed up feeling was there almost immediatly afterwards. It is possible that it is caused from the root canal especially if it is an upper tooth. SOmetimes the roots of the upper teeth extend into the sinus. Good luck and keep me posted.