AboutGary Backlund, DMD, MSD Expertise I am an Endodontist ( root canal specialist ) and can answer questions about root canals and their treatment. I cannot diagnose or treat online, but can answer general questions. I have been a specialist for 25 years and am Past President of the Washington State Association of Endodontists.
Experience 25 years practicing as a specialist
Organizations American Association of Endodonists, Past President Washington State Association of Endodontists.
Question QUESTION: Dear Dr Backlund
Approximately 2 months ago I had a cracked molar (bottom left) repaired with a white filling. The molar was cracked in each cusp. My dentist said that it would take some time to heal. It was feeling ok until a couple of weeks ago when I started to have had an uncomfortable feeling in it and a dull throb. Its not agonising pain but the tooth feels swollen and tender. it's still sensitive to cold and im not able to chew cold food on that side. It's more irrititating and annoying rather than painful but I am still very concious of it and it doesn't feel normal. It also feels sensitive when I touch it with my tongue (especially on the tongue side of my tooth). It feels like it might be affecting the pre molar teeth also and making them feel a bit tender too.
I am a night time tooth clencher and wear a splint over my top teeth every night. The splint was adjusted after the filling was done (by a specialist, not the dentist who did the filling) and he said the filling was sitting slightly lower than my other teeth but didn't think this would cause a problem.
I just wonder should I see an endodontist - does this sound like the type of pain that would be felt if a root canal was required?
Thank you very much for your time
Kind Regards
Mel
ANSWER: Hi Mel,
I'm sorry you're going through all this. To answer your question, yes, I would get a 2nd opinion. It sounds to me like your symptoms are still those of a cracked tooth. The fact that you feel cold is actually a good thing since it means the tooth is still alive...it may not be healthy, but it's still alive. The normal treatment for a cracked tooth is to do a crown, especially if you are a grinder. Prior to that, you need to know the status of the pulp and that's what an endodontist can do for you. The question is do you need a root canal before the crown.
Hope this helps.
Gary Backlund DMD, MSD
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Dr Backlund
Thank you for your response to my question. I will see an endodontist. I hope you don't mind but I just have a couple of follow up questions. If I don't need a root canal but have a crown put on the cracked tooth could this cause more pain and trauma to it - does the filling need to be removed first? Also as Im a tooth clencher could that be causing the tooth to continue to crack? Is that why you suggest a crown would be the better option?
Once again thank you for taking the time to respond to me.
Kind Regards
Mel
Answer Hi Mel,
Anytime a tooth is treated, there is some trauma to it. Preparing a tooth for a crown requires that ALL of the enamel of the tooth be removed and the tooth shaped to fit a crown. The ability of a tooth to heal itself depends on how healthy the pulp is to begin with. It certainly could be that preparing your tooth for a crown could cause the tooth to die.
As a clencher, you increase the chances of teeth to crack. That's probably how this all got started to begin with. A crown covers the tooth so the "tips" of the tooth aren't forced apart when you clench. It is the best way we have to stabilize a crack...regular fillings don't hold the tooth together.
Basically, you have the concept right on! Hope this helps.
