Tooth Abcess - Root Canal - Extreme Pain. Help Pleas :( - Dental Health Message Board

tchocky · 05-04-2005, 12:04 AM

Hello everyone,

This past thursday I was experiencing alot of pain in my bottom left molar and had it looked at. The dentist took an xray and said it the root was infected and he suggested a root canal, I said ok so we scheduled one for monday. He sent me home w/o antibiotics or pain medication. I was in the worst pain I've ever felt all weekend long and my cheek/jaw began to swell a ton. I had to go to an urgent care office sunday to get some penicillin and tylenol 3. I looked like a squirrel on monday and was in extreme pain. I got the root canal done and some penecillin and tylenol prescribed. The abcess didn't drain because the endodontist said it wasn't localized or something of that nature. It's tuesday night and I've been taking the medication and the swelling hasn't gone down. The endodontist said it may even get worse before it gets better, but since I'm young and healthy I shouldn't have a problem fighting the infection. When should the swelling go down as I'm in a big bind w/ college and it's hard to attend class when you look like a chipmunk

Is there no way they can drain it? Help is MUCH appreciated! THanks

wmkcolors · 05-04-2005, 06:32 AM

I'd try let the tooth respond to the root canal a few more days. After my root canal, my tooth and gum area hurt for weeks, though I didn't have swelling. I might have to get it retreated. Anyway, it takes at least a week or two for the tooth to recover, especially since your abcess is still there. Take ALL your antibiotics, even if you start to feel better. I've iced my jaw before, when I had some swelling and pain. Maybe try to elevate your head, when you sleep. Obviously, if the pain and swelling keeps increasing, call your endodontist. Taking about 600mg. of Ibuporfen can help take the edge off the pain. You also might try searching this board for past threads on abcessed teeth and root canals. I found some info. for myself that way too. Good Luck.

tchocky · 05-04-2005, 10:42 AM

Well pain isn't really a problem. After the pain I went through without pain medication or antibiotics over the weekend, I can handle anything, plus the root canal kills the nerve? So I'm not in much pain, just in frustration wondering how long till the swelling goes down. The swelling is due to infection prior to the root canal. I wouldn't wish a tooth abcess on my enemy after this experience.

wmkcolors · 05-04-2005, 11:25 AM

I think I'd give it a few more days, to see if the swelling subsides. At least, the pain has gone. I had a root canal over 2 months ago, and I'm still in pain. No swelling. My endo. today said that everything looks fine on the x-ray, since I had the root canal, but, gee, then, why all the pain still? He thinks my new crown is sitting too high, but, the dentist who did the crown said the crown looks fine. I'm so frustrated. I know this doesn't help much, but, I do empathize....

Cinemagic · 05-04-2005, 01:21 PM

If an infection localizes a pus pocket develops. This pocket can be drained to reduce the swelling associated with it. An infection can be spread throughout the tissues and swelling occurs due to the inflammatory response and additional fluid in the area. There is no pocket to drain. The only way to take care of the problem is to let the antibiotics do their trick. It usually takes 24-48 hours before the antibiotics begin to make a significant difference. That's why the endodontist said it might get worse before it gets better.

There can be a number of reasons a tooth can continue to hurt after root canal treatment. There can be additional canals in the tooth (particularly molars) that were not seen. In this case the endodontist needs to re-open the tooth and look for additional canals. The tooth can be fractured. In this case, the only option is extraction of the tooth. Unfortunately, the diagnostic tools available (x-rays and visual examination) will not show a fractured root (if vertical fracture) and often not show additional canals. Only time and seeing changes on the x-ray can help diagnose such problems. Sometimes the nerves just create havoc and the tooth continues to hurt for much longer than anyone want. In your case, you just need to give it a little more time.