Sensitivity to touch after Root Canal & Crown? - Dental Health Message Board

karendw · 02-18-2005, 07:24 PM

In October of last year, I had to have a root canal done (sensitivity to heat & cold and x-rays showed darkness around root.) A few weeks later, a crown put on. But since the crown, I have had sensitivity just by barely touching the sides of my tooth. I don't have any problems chewing. Went back to see dentist and he thought for sure it probably just needed to be adjusted.( He took more x-rays, and said it looked better than when I first came in.) He said if adjustment didn't work, then would flatten crown. If that didn't work, then would have to see specialist. Well, sensitivity is still there and doesn't really hurt, but it should be dead. I even refrained from chewing on it for about a week and still no change. Anybody know what specialists would do for this condition? Since it doesn't really hurt, would it be alright just to leave it the way it is? Appreciate any knowledge of this kind of problem. Thanks, Karen

Maluky · 02-20-2005, 12:40 AM

I'm having almost the exact same issues with my root canal / crown that I had done in late September of last year. I'm having a real hard time understanding what is going on. I can push up on the crown with some good pressure and I feel no discomfort, yet if I just "tap" on the crown it is very sensitive. And hot drinks really make it hurt. I have no problems chewing though! I've been back to the dentist 5 times now and he tried burning out some of the gum around the crown, and now he is making me a splint to wear at night. ((?????)) I don't think it will do anything. If I were grinding my teeth at night I think there would be more teeth hurting than just the one where I supposedly have NO nerves to feel pain. I have gone to an Oral Surgen and he took an x-ray as well and his opinion was that the root canal could have been done better. He referred me to an "Endodontist" (someone who just specializes in root canals) and his receptionist told me on the phone that it would be $975.00 to redo a root canal. This is unreal. I'm about ready to go get the tooth extracted at the Oral Surgen. ($325.00) I cannot keep putting hugh amounts of money into this tooth and still have PAIN! This whole experience is really turning me off on root canals.

The dentist says there is nothing else he can do with the tooth. The splint is his last resort to get me comfort I guess.

Let me know if you get any relief from the sensitivity, and how.

vuitton · 02-20-2005, 12:43 AM

I has this problem a few years ago, I just could not understand how there was pain after a root canal....
I waited it out, and after around one year, the pain and sensitivity stopped.
And it has not come back since!

Maluky · 02-21-2005, 02:48 AM

The pain I'm having right now is BAD. Now, it's just not sensitive, it is down right painfull. I'm using oral jel and taking tylenol with advil to ease the pain. I don't know if I can put up with this for another month. I've thought about waiting it out, but it is really painful. During your "wait" what did your dentist have to say about it?

karendw · 02-21-2005, 02:08 PM

Maluky--I am not having that kind of pain with my tooth. The reason they do the root canal is to take nerves out so you don't have pain or sensitivity to hot & cold. Something is definitely wrong there. I am only barely sensitive when I touch my tooth on sides, but not real pain like you are experiencing, therefore I didn't ask my dentist what to do about pain. Wish I could help you, but I will be praying for you! God Bless, Karen