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

Question
Hi, hoping you can help. Approx 6 weeks ago I had a root canal filling done on one of my molars, lower jaw. No problems after the root fill all was well then recently started to develop sensitiviy to touch, painful to bite I went to my dentist who prescribed antibiotocs Amoxcillan suggesting that if it did not help I would have to have the tooth removed. He thought that there might be a crack in the tooth allowing infection in, although could not see one. He did file down a cusp in case it was too high and causing excessive pressure.Since taking the antibiotics the pain/sensitivity has mostly gone but still have a little discomfort when I bite and a feeling that all is not quite well. The question quite simply is, is it usual to have this sensitivity reaction following root canal work and will the symptoms improve/settle down, could it be that it just takes time to get better. I am reluctant to have the tooth removed as I will require an implant.
Thank you

Answer
Hi John,

After a root canal, the tooth is very weakened. That's why it needs to have a crown on it, to prevent the weakened tooth from fracturing.

What you described can be one of two things;
1. It can be that the filling inside the tooth is too high. If so, a minor adjustment may be all that is needed. However, it seems that your dentist already checked the bite.

2. It can be a minor fracture. If the tooth did crack, you won't see it on the xray as the radiograph is only a 2-dimensional image, and not 3-D. However, every time you bite on it, you would feel pain as you are pushing on the inflamed part of the ligament inside the bone. Unfortunately, the only way to repair this is to remove the tooth.

I would have your dentist, or an endodontist examine the tooth to help determine the exact cause of the problem.

Either way, the main goal is to first get you out of pain.

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