Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 11/1/2007

Question
This could just be the way I heal, but I have had two attempts at root canal therapy done within the last couple of months- July and August. My general dentist was concerned that he could not adequately complete the procedure so referred me to a specialist. Had the retreat completed this past Monday - Oct 29, 2007. I am generally not tolerant of pain but the pain was bearable for the first two days. Yesterday, the T3s were working for two hours only - I did not want to take too many but even when I took one t3 followed by a liquid gel Advil a few hours later the pain was only dulled. I woke up this morning - 2 am in excruciating pain. For the first time since my procedure I looked at the area in question. There is a great deal of swelling. I was put on a continued course of antibiotics and have faithfully taken them. How long does this pain go on? At what point should I be concerned? My position at work requires me to talk a lot to potential participants so I did not go in yesterday as , it is so much better when I do not talk at all! But I cannot afford to do this as I do not have benefits - missed work = no pay. Please shed some light on possibilities here. Thank you.

Answer
Dear Michelle,

I am inclined to be pessimistic in nature, but I think it's too early to assume there's a problem with your root canal, based on symptoms alone. It may take 5 days to a week for symptoms to begin to resolve, so pain and swelling don't necessarily indicate a problem-- yet.

Still, the fact that this is a re-treatment indicates that this is a difficult tooth-- after all, if it was easy, the first root canal would have been successful. In this light, I would be more suspicious of the root canal outcome if you don't see some improvement over the next two or three days, and this would call for a return visit to your endodontist to assess the situation and determine the next step.

Good luck!

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY