Dr. Hall,
\nI had a root canal done on my lower molar a year ago, since then I’ve had pressure sensitivity and then later sensitivity to heat that would radiate. I went back, and then my dentist decided to retreat the tooth with the thought that there may be another canal. He said there was, he packed it with some medication and a temp. filling and prescribed antibiotics and I am to go back in 3 weeks for the permanent filling. Since he did this I have had pain in the tooth, pressure…nothing to hot\/cold, but I can’t chew on that side. My dentist is out of town this week so I have nobody to call. I don’t know if this is “normal” or why I am having this much pain.
\n– Karen in Missouri<\/p>\n
Karen,
\nYour pain isn’t unusual. Post-operative pain after root canal work is common. I don’t think there’s any cause for alarm, and it sounds like your dentist did everything right, but I’m sure you’d like some relief from the pain.<\/p>\n
Pain to pressure that develops long\u00a0after a root canal treatment<\/a> was completed\u00a0could indicate a failed root canal<\/a>. But pain to cold<\/a> or heat is a strong indication of another canal being present in the tooth.<\/p>\n