Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 10/31/2007

Question
I had a root canal done last Thursday on tooth #20. After the procedure my Dentist put in the plug and then a temporary filling.  Since then if I am not taking 800mg of Motrin I am having the following symptoms: Headache below left eye, tightness in upper back teeth(feel slightly numb), sore cheek, sore lower jaw bone, dull throbbing from affected tooth.
Can you tell me if this is normal?  It has been almost a week. I am supposed to go Friday for a post to be put in.
Can this be an infection? I called my Dentists office and they say to continue taking the Motrin.
thanks,
Kim

Answer
Dear Kim,

A certain number of root canal treatments are followed by soreness even if everything ultimately concludes successfully. As such, it is not possible to infer whether your pain represents "normal" postoperative soreness or whether you have experienced an unfavorable root canal result.

I definitely would recommend that you do NOT allow your dentist to cement a post in the canal unless you have noticed a definite improvement, if not a total resolution, of your pain symptoms by Friday. You should wait at least an additional week or two to get a sense of what direction your symptoms are going.

If the passage of time brings no relief, I recommend that you request a referral to an endodontist (root canal specialist) to assess the quality of your root canal result, prior to any more work on this tooth. If you allow your dentist to cement a post before the final disposition of your root canal is assured, you risk the possibility of needing to remove the post to assess and/or re-treat the tooth. Post removal is arduous and risky, so it's best to wait until you know the root canal is a success before you move forward with restorative treatment.

Good luck!

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY