So.......this all started in early sept. 2011. I went to the dentist because an old filling became loose in a tooth (located on the left hand side second from the back). He said the filling that was loose was very large and it was best to do a crown. I agreed (the biggest mistake of my life) and we started the crown prep. A couple of days later the tooth started bugging me and I gave my dentist a call and he recommended a root canal. I have had a couple of root canals before with no problem so I made an appt. with an endodontist and had the root canal done. A week later (late sept. 2011) I went and had the permanent crown placed. From the minute it was placed it was uncomfortable. But my dentist said it was because the temp crown was a plastic material and allowed the teeth around it to shift a little and the permanent crown was causing the teeth to shift back to their original spots and that it should stop hurting in a day or so. Well, it stopped hurting in about 2 days.....so at the time I was happy. Fast forward 3 weeks and the tooth started having this weird sensation in it. It feels as if there is a ton of pressure inside the tooth, like a constant annoying dull aching sensation. The pressure radiates up into my left sinuses and has also caused my TMJ to flare up. When I press on the sides of the tooth with my tongue I get this weird sensation in the tooth like your stretching a pulled muscle? Its really weird and hard to explain.
So I called my dentist and he thought it might be my sinus's causing the issue and treated me for a sinus infection. But this did not help anything. He then said it may be a cracked root and to come back in March to get another X-ray to see if a crack is present. He said if I did have a cracked root, it would take months to show up on an x-ray.
I was pretty unhappy with him kind of dismissing my issue so I went for a second opinion. The second dentist said he thought it was one of 3 thing: my sinus’s, a fractured root, or an irritated ligament? He suggested that I take off the poor fitting crown and have the endodontist go back in with a microscope and look at the roots. So that’s what I did and the endodontist said all was clear! Good news…..but what’s causing these symptoms??? A new crown was placed and the symptoms are still occurring!!! Now the tooth behind it (last tooth on the left) seems to be hurting as well. It had a root canal years ago but my dentist was a little concerned about it because I experience a sensitivity to tapping pressure on that tooth even though it has a root canal? I also noticed that when I floss between the 2 teeth there is an odor on the dental floss afterwards and that was never there before this all happened?
My symptoms include:
-The weird pressure in my second to last tooth on the left side, it’s a dull achy slighting burning pressure
-Pain will extend up into my sinuses and left side of my face with no sign of a sinus infection, etc.
-The symptoms are basically gone in the morning and returns as the day goes on (worst at night)
-Does NOT affect sleep
-Horrible taste in my mouth (metallic tasting)
-The tooth behind it seems to be hurting now as well, can’t really pinpoint which tooth is hurting at times
-Odor when flossing between the 2 teeth
-Is NOT helped at all with over the counter meds…..like Motrin, Aspirin, Tylenol?
If anyone can help I would be really grateful. I recently got married and this is taking over my life. I actually made an appointment with a psych doctor because I feel depressed over this whole situation! I am wondering if it’s the tooth or a nerve issue?
P.S. I have no pain at all when I chew on the tooth. Its just the constant pressure feeling?
WVUgrl09 Are you still out there?
I was searching for info on the same symtoms. I have had this for many years and put up with it. The reason I put up with it is the fact that it feels like two different teeth as you say. I do not want to extract two teeth but may have to eventually.
I have had numerous xrays over the years that show nothing.
It is a dull pain but does get on my nerves at times and I would love to get rid of it.
If you are still out there and have found out the answer please let me know.
I was searching for info on the same symtoms. I have had this for many years and put up with it. The reason I put up with it is the fact that it feels like two different teeth as you say. I do not want to extract two teeth but may have to eventually.
I have had numerous xrays over the years that show nothing.
It is a dull pain but does get on my nerves at times and I would love to get rid of it.
If you are still out there and have found out the answer please let me know.
Cove Cove
Hey Cove Cove,
I am still out here and my tooth still bothers me :0(. It has gotten a little better.....some days are worse then others. It just angers me so bad cause I am very anal with my teeth and once experience puts a very sour taste in my mouth with denistry.
I do have one endodontist that I trust and he actually did the root canal. I actually just went to him last week and he did some more x-rays.....tested the tooth for cracks in the root.....he also tested the bite and he shaved the tooth a little cause he thinks my bite may be contributing to the problem. He says that everything looks great except for the crown being a little big and tight in my gums. He doesn't think there is a problem with the roots/tooth but he thinks the crown is a little ill fitting. He really thinks that it will eventually get better......his assistant said the same thing happened to her and took a year to calm down......hopefully thats the case for me as well (I pray thats the case). I truely think I have nerve damage cause NOTHING makes it feel better at all!!! I am just at a loss......it's now been 10 months and it still drives me crazy at times! I truly think about the day I had it done and wish I could turn back time soooooooo bad cause the tooth wasn't that bad.....I was almost being proactive with the crown cause I had a big filling in the tooth :0(
Oh well......only time will tell and I pray to God every day that the issue will go away. Please keep me updated about your issue and I hope that yours gets better as well! Tooth pain is the worse pain ever......you really can't do anything about it :0(.
Good Luck......sorry I don't have better advice :0(
I was wondering whatever happened with your tooth pain because I have the same exact condition and situation going on over here. Now I know this post is old and I am keeping my fingers crossed hoping you found a solution to your problem, better yet our problem.
I have what sounds to be a related issue. My root canal is 20 years old. I've had the tooth crowned with no issues. Last year, it was discovered there was a bit of decay near the gum line and the crown was replaced. When it was firt put in, it felt strange. In two days I had some swelling of the gums surrounding it. When I brought this to the dentist's attention, I was advised to rinse with warm salt water. After a few days I had no symptoms. Fast forward a few months and I felt a throbbing pressure in that tooth area. I carefully flossed and used some sensitive tooth paste in the area thinking I had gotten something caught up in the gum. I wasn't sure if I then further aggravated it or what but it was sore for quite a few days. I woke up two days ago with a gentle throbbing and I was able to ignore it for most of the day as I was busy. Still, I have what feels to be pressure all the way to under my nose and pressing on it brings discomfort. I am going to call my dentist because I am worried. I am wondering how the folks above have since made out with their tooth issue. I hope things have gotten better for you!
Re: Weird pain in tooth after root canal??? 
