I am new to this board and thought I would get some opinions. Here is my story:

Had root canal on #5 in March of 2004. Large source of infection. Was on three rounds of antibiotics and lump above tooth still did not go completely away.

August 2005 - consult w/oral surgeon for apicoectomy but he said it would not work and tooth would need to be pulled - I saw my dentist and he referred me to an endodontist, who retreated the root canal first, and then when that didn't work, in October, two weeks ago, I had the apicoectomy.

Lump is gone, but tooth 4 and 6 now hurt and there is a bump above tooth 4 and tooth 6. The gums above those teeth constantly throb and ache.

Mind you, I also had a retreatment of a root canal on tooth 7 because of a lump above that gum, which looked to me like a lump above tooth 6.

Saw dentist today and he said the pain is from the surgery and this stuff takes time to heal. I thought I may need a root canal in 4 and 6, because, to me, a bump means an infection and should not be there.

He said see call the endodontist again and tell them what is going on. I called and have an appointment tomorrow.

I am wondering if the oral surgeon was not right and I should have had the tooth pulled months ago and a bridge put in.

Any thoughts?

How long of a recovery period do I have to wait to see if the apicoectomy is successful?

I am considering going to a different dentist and getting a second opinion, but having to explain everything that has happened makes me want to cry. I am very, very frustrated with being in constant pain all of the time, not to mention the cost.

Also, on a side note, I have a CareCredit account, which for those who don't know is a credit card for dental work and other such medical issues, but the dentists have to sign up to take it. My endodontist does not take it and the receptionist I talked to says the owners don't want to take it. I wonder why?

Thanks for listening.

Well i can only give you my expirience with the healing after the apico.....i had a similar problem on tooth #3. Root canal which still caused pain so i was referred to Endodontist, they re-treated the tooth found a hidden canal and i thought i'd be in the clear....a week later i was still in severe pain and coming up on my wedding day, the endodontist said she could do an apico or i could pull the tooth, i refused to pull the tooth so she did the apico and told me the next day i should be able to go back to work. The next day there was no possible way i was able to go to work.....i assumed i was having pain from the surgery but she said that with an apico you should be doing very well the next day and a couple days later should have no pain. This was not my case so back i go and we determine that the tooth in front of it needs a root canal.....after that the pain went away. Yahoo....but now the pain is back again on tooth #3 so i have a feeling i'm destined to have this tooth pulled which now i really dont want to do after having 3 grand into one stupid tooth.

I still notice that the gum above where the apico was is still very sensitive and tender when i brush or rub my finger on it, however, it does not hurt severly anymore, tooth # 3 doesnt hurt like it used to but i can still feel it and it's more sensitive than any of the other teeth in my mouth so i think i've got a failed root canal and the apico that didnt work, but i'm stubborn and refuse to pull it...