Expert: Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD - 11/27/2006

Question
I had a rtc on both my #3 and #4 teeth due to severe pulpitis. The #3 tooth has since been extracted due to an internal crack. The #4 tooth rtc was three months ago. Since about two weeks after the root canal I have been lightheaded nearly round the clock. I also have a "frog in my throat" from time to time. The tooth has not yet been crowned, but has been trimmed down so it avoids other teeth. The tooth is not sensitive to hot or cold. It doesn't seem to be bite sensitive (although I never eat hard stuff due to the lack of crown). I have been to three endodontists, my general dentist, and an oral surgeon. All have xrayed snd evaluated the rtc and all have agreed that it was done correctly. I was wondering if my round the clock lightheadedness is caused by this root canal?  

Answer
Hi Steve,

Sorry to hear you're going through this. Unfortunately, it would be highly unlikely that there was a connection between your tooth and the lightheadness....at least I have never heard about it or read anything to that effect in the denatl literature. I would suggest that you get an ENT evaluation as it could be sinus or inner ear related.

Sorry I can't help more.

Gary Backlund DMD, MSD