What Causes Pain In The Root Canal Treated Tooth?

Posted on Mon, 16 Jun 2014

Question: I had a root canal done about a year ago now I am having some pain in that tooth it is not severe pain and comes and goes could this be a sinus problem or a nerve that was missed

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
gum infection failed RCT, scaling, repeat RCT

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query, I have gone through your query.

This pain in the root canal treated tooth to me is most likely because of the gum infection around the root canal treated tooth or it could be because of the incomplete root canal treated tooth or missed canals or it could be radiating pain from the infected adjacent tooth. If there are no other symptoms beside the pain, sinusitis is less likely.

If I am your treating doctor I would have suggested you to take radiograph like IOPAR or RVG of the affected tooth to rule out the gum changes in the root tip or around the tooth or any defect in the root canal treatment. Based on the report, you might need cleaning (Scaling) of tooth and gums or a repeat root canal treatment. If there is any infection in the adjacent tooth, that should be taken care too.

In the meantime, you should be started on a course of antibiotics like penicillin and analgesics like diclofenac if you are not allergic to those drugs. Do saline gargling.

I hope my answer will help you. Take care.
If any queries are there reply me back.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad