Expert: Tony Appleton BDS DPDS - 9/25/2009

Question
I had a root canal 4 days ago and have been in pain since the procedure. 15 years ago I did have a root canal performed on this tooth but had been experiencing swollen gums and was told I had an infection so the root canal would have to be redone.

I am on clindamycin (300mg) and need to take advil(400mg/ex-strength tylenol(500mg x 2) every 2 hours or I am in pain. I did return to the dentist(endo) yesterday because I was concerned the antibiotic was not working and did not understand why the pain was continuing. She adjusted my bite and increased the clindamycin to 300mg. She advised to wait until a week had passed to see if the pain disappeared. Then the tooth may have to be pulled.

Is this normal? Should I wait this long to seek treatment? I don't understand why the antibiotics are taking so long to work.

Answer
Hi Joanne

You can experience quite a degree of pain after root treatment, and this doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong.  The tissues around the tooth can become very inflamed and this leads to the pain.  Keep taking the medication and see how it goes - the advice from your dentist is good.

Regards

Tony Appleton