Experience Former Clinical Instructor of Comprehensive Dentistry, and Prosthodontic Department New York University School of Dentistry. Also former instructor of Preventive Dentistry Columbia University School of Dentistry.
Education/Credentials 1980 DDS New York University College of Dentistry
1981 GPR Manhattan VA Hospital
Awards and Honors OKU 1980 Honor Society
1980 Long Island Academy of Odontology award for highest combined Academic and Clinical Achievement.
In 1997 he was elected to Fellowship into the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics
I had a root canal about a month ago. Front tooth. Every thing was fine . About 10 days after the first visit of the root canal when the dig up there with those fine litle wire/needles.I felt soreness pain only when I touch the back of the tooth. Went back for the post /crown visit thursday June 26.He said it may have been the bite. So we do the visit. All went well and here it is again the soreness.
I can bite on it straight down no pain.
I put ice on it no pain.
I touch the front of the tooth no pain.
BUT when I touch the back of the tooth I feel soreness/pain.
Could this bee a failed root canal?
Also i do not like the looks of the temp he has on.
Does the real crown look like the temp...
What could be the cause of this pain in the back of my tooth.?
It is not a deep real bad pain, but it is there. Do you think it will go away after tiem. As the tooth had a lot done to it.
Thank you
Gina
Answer Dear Gina,
At this point in time the best thing for you to do is to wait and see if the pain goes away. It may go away slowly over the next several months. It is probably too soon to tell whether your root canal is a success or not.
Sometimes patients can have pain after a root canal due to irritation from the sealer material used. If this is the case, this sensitivity slowly resolves. On the other It also could possibly indicate the presence of an infection. Usually dentists look at radiographs to try and determine which is the case. If an infection is present, the dentist looks for bone breakdown at the apex.
In my practice if a patient does have symptoms on a tooth after completion of a root canal, if at all possible, I delay placement of a post and core. I also usually do not place a permanent crown until the tooth is comfortable. I take subsequent radiographs to check on the status of the bone around the apex to check for any further breakdown of the bone around the apex of the root.
Once a post is placed, it can be more difficult to retreat a root canal, since the post must be removed to begin retreatment. Some patients with failed root canals end up having an apical surgery instead. An apical surgery is a procedure where the surgeon cleans out the apical area and seals the end of the root at the time of surgery. It involves making a small surgical flap in the gum above the tooth to gain access to the end of the root.
If your tooth continues to be sensitive to pressure applied from behind and you feel no improvement for several months you certainly should go for a second opinion. Usually it is best to get a second opinion from an endodontist - a dentist who specializes in root canal procedures.
As to your temporary being unattractive, the permanent does not have to look like the temporary. If it is made by a quality dental lab, anterior crowns can be highly esthetic.
I hope this information is helpful and please feel free to contact me again with any future dental questions.
