You are here:

Dentistry/Root Canal Retreatment

Advertisement


Question
Hello,
I had a root canal done a few years ago.  When I recently started going to a new dentist, he told me that it was very infected, and he wanted to do another root canal.  So about 3 weeks ago, I got another one, and after about 45 minutes, he found another root, which he thought was the main reason for the first one turning bad.  I started on antibiotics, and went back to him the next week.  After finishing all of the antibiotics, it was still infected.  He tried to remove more of the infection, and put me on stronger antibiotics.  It is 5 days later, and I am still in a lot of pain.  Also, the tooth directly above the one  I had the procedure on is throbbing also.  I have not finished these antibiotics yet - but is it normal to be in so much pain?  It is throbbing all day (even after taking pain killers) and the gum around is very sensitive to the touch.

Answer
Dear Dawn:  It is not normal.  It may be that the procedure caused the tooth to be elevated in the socket, and now it is high in your bite and causing both it and its opposing tooth to be sensitive.  Ask your dentist to adjust the the root canal tooth so that it does not touch the opposing tooth when you bring your teeth together.  You should experience relief within a day after the adjustment.  Let me know.  dd

Dentistry

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO

Expertise

I am a Family, Implant and Cosmetic dentist. I will answer questions on any aspect of dentistry and matters relating to the smile, gums, jaws and lower face. Member American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, and Atlantic Coast District Dental Association. I have served as District Council Member of Alpha Omega, as well as serving for one term as its President. I am also a member of The Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital Guild. I have served as a Volunteer for Project Dental Health and The Tri-County Dental Health Council.

Experience

Having attained over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Michigan, in 2001 I was re-certified by taking and passing the Florida State Dental Board Examination. After moving to Florida, I spent nearly 10 years re-honing my skills while working as an Associate Dentist for several large dental groups. In September, 2004, I was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova University's College of Dental Medicine. I am certified in placement of Mini Dental Implants, and I am Director of The Florida Implant Center (floridaimplantcenter.com). On March 1, 2010, at the age of 62, I began all over again by buying a dental practice near my home in the Fort Lauderdale area. As sole owner and Chief Dental Officer of the new Nob Hill Dental Center (nobhilldentalcenter.com), I can now carefully provide dental care to patients who care, all within a caring, joyful environment. Over my career lifetime, I have provided thousands of diagnoses, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, periodontal treatments, TMJ therapies, partials, dentures and extractions, and dozens of implants for my patients. The only aspect of dentistry with which I have very little experience is orthodontics.

Organizations
American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, Atlantic Coast District Dental Society, Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, Alpha Omega Alumni Association, and American Association of Dental Implantologists. Formerly, American Academy of General Dentistry, Michigan Dental Association, Macomb Dental Society, Detroit District Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Health Council (a charitable dental care organization)

Publications
"How To Save Money At The Dentist" Going to press soon.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from Wayne State University Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Detroit College of Dentistry Adjunct Clinical Professor, Special Needs Department, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Awards and Honors
Membership in The Vedder Honors Society

Past/Present Clients
HIPAA rules do not allow me to post this information.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.