Expert: Susan Tannenbam - 11/14/2006

Question
I had a root canal done 7 years ago and a crown put on the tooth. In the last three years I have had increasing pain from the area that the root canal was done. I have gone to an Endodontist and he told me that there is nothing wrong. Recently, I had to have to crown re-cemented as it fell off. I mentioned once again about the pain and my dentist told me it must be coming from another tooth. He did a test and could not find which tooth.  He told me that he could remove the root where my root canal was done and then get a bridge. He said that maybe there was a hairline fracture in the root causing the pain. I am at a lose over this pain-- any suggestions?

thanks

Answer
I am not a dentist but I do have TMJ so I try to help people with TMJ.  I do know that TMJ can cause pain to be referred into the teeth (and gums), making it feel like you have a bad toothache,when there is nothing wrong with the tooth.  What happens is that when you clench (most people are unaware that they do), the facial and neck muscles become tight.  These tight muscles become painful and sometimes that pain is, like I said, "referred" into the teeth.  I had many root canals and a couple of extractions because the dentist could not figure out what was wrong!  x- rays will show nothing if the pain is caused by the TMJ. Many dentists are totally unaware of this condition.  This is NOT TO SAY FOR SURE that your pain is caused by TMJ - I am not a dentist, so I cannot diagnose anything.  As to the hairline fracture suggestion, I do know that I once had a fracture and it was causing pain and I had to have the tooth extracted.  I could not put any pressure on the tooth at ALL.
Hope this helps.
Susan