Expert: Benjamin Schwartz, DDS FAGD - 11/19/2008

Question
I had a filling redone about three weeks ago. It is on my upper right side about five teeth from the front center. Last week I returned to the dentist due to pain I was having there. He said it could take a few more weeks for the pain to go away. Since then the pain has increased in intensity. Yesterday I visited my regular doctor as I was having significant pain on the right side of my face and extreme pain on/in the tooth that was refilled. I suspected a sinus infection was the cause and the doctor confirmed.  I received a prescription for a strong antibiotic and was told to take ibuprofen as needed. The pain became unbearable over night and I took a Lortab which I had from a previous dental surgery. I know I should not do that but again, the pain was terrible.
Now, my question. Should I revisit my dentist to see if there is something he can do? Perhaps a root canal is needed?  Or, should I revisit my regular doctor to get a pain medication and hope the sinus infection gets better resulting in decreased pressure on that tooth and nerve as the antibiotic takes effect?  

Answer
Hi Mark,

Good question.

Sometimes, when we drill into a tooth, the nerve goes crazy, and only a root canal can remedy this.
However, the tricky part with you, is that if you do have a sinus infection, this can masquerade as tooth pain.

I would wait a day or two more to see how the pain feels. If it is as bad, or worse than you've had, then you most likely will need the root canal. If, on the other hand, the pain starts subsiding, then you may not need to have the root canal in the end!

Good luck, and please let me know if you need any more help.