NetWellness Root Canals

Root Canal Dizziness - Taste Off

Sara Fowler DMD, MS — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:12:00 EST

Question: 12/08/11 had root canal on wisdom tooth on left upper. Pain has resolved almost immediately but have developed dizziness. Was put on penicillin prior to procedure to be finished out post. Finished all but 2 tabs penicillin thinking it might be that. Only take synthroid and lisinopril and certain vit . . .

Answer: Although the onset of your dizziness was following the root canal procedure, based on the information provided, it is unlikely that the dizziness you have been experiencing is related to the root canal procedure itself. It is common for patients to experience dizziness immediately following dental t . . .

Ask an Expert: Sara Fowler DMD, MS, Root Canals

Instrument Came Out from Side of the Tooth

Melissa Drum DDS, MS — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:12:00 EST

Question: Yesterday I had root canal on #18 tooth. One canal had been done well, however the other one (front side) couldn`t be accessed. The instrument should go into the canal from the opening of top, instead, it went out from side of the tooth (X-ray shows the situation). The doctor said that #18 has defec . . .

Answer: You have very specific questions that would need to be evaluated clinically. If you want to know what can be done to save your tooth, I would recommend an evaluation by an endodontist. They have special training beyond dental school and deal with these difficult situations on a daily basis.

Ask an Expert: Melissa Drum DDS, MS, Root Canals

Swollen Upper Lip - 4 Days Post-Procedure

Melissa Drum DDS, MS — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:12:00 EST

Question: I had a root canal performed on #10 last week and ended up in the ER for IV CLindamycin which did help. Three days after the root canal, the swelling in my face and upper lip was so bad, I went to an oral surgeon where he lanced my upper tissue to drain more infection. I am still on oral Clindamycin . . .

Answer: I am sorry to hear you have been having these problems. Unfortunately, swelling after a root canal can happen a certain percentage of the time and is an unfortunate but common situation. It sounds like you have been receiving appropriate care. The swelling should be subsiding soon. You are doing mos . . .

Ask an Expert: Melissa Drum DDS, MS, Root Canals

Crown Ten Years After a Root Filling

Sara Fowler DMD, MS — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:12:00 EST

Question:

Ten years ago I had a root filling. It solved the pain I was suffering but the dentist just filled the tooth without a crown being suggested. I have had a further three dentists since, but only the most recent one has ever mentioned the absence of a crown. The new dentist is recommending a crow . . .

Answer: Not all root-canal-treated teeth require a crown. Many teeth do just fine with a filling, as your tooth has done for the last 10 years. However, we tend to find that molars are more prone to fracture since they endure more forces from chewing and biting.

It is impossible to predict wheth . . .

Ask an Expert: Sara Fowler DMD, MS, Root Canals

Root Canal Temporary

Andre Mickel DDS, MSD — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:07:00 EST

Question: I had a root canal did about a year ago but I had only had the temporary did and not the permanent. The temporary just came out and the root canal is exposed. I can`t get another appointment for another week. Will this tooth be ok until then or will i start having a tooth ache. Should I watch what I . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. You may need the root canal redone before placing a crown.

Best wishes.

Ask an Expert: Andre Mickel DDS, MSD, Root Canals

Pressure in Tooth During Root Canal

Melissa Drum DDS, MS — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:06:00 EST

Question: 2 months ago or so i started having an odd pain above tooth #10, odd because that tooth is fake and on a bridge. Felt like when you get your braces tightened. Went to the dentist and he said my front tooth #9 was dead. Wasn`t in pain and was antibiotics for something else so he said we could wait. 2 . . .

Answer: Usually, once a dentist refers a patient to an endodontist, the endodontist completes the treatment and follow-up. I would recommend that you complete your care with an endodontist who is trained to deal with complex situations.

Ask an Expert: Melissa Drum DDS, MS, Root Canals

Severe Pain after a Root Canal

Melissa Drum DDS, MS — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:03:00 EST

Question:

I had a root canal performed on my back right lower molar almost two weeks ago. At that time the endodontist mentioned that he wasn`t able to get all the way down on one of the canals and hoped "nature would take it`s course". I still had pain a few days later, which I knew was normal . . .

Answer:

Thank you for visiting NetWellness. I have previously answered a question very similar to yours, and the link below will connect you to that information. You should definitely check with your endodontist if you have questions or concerns.

Feel free to write back if you sti . . .

Ask an Expert: Melissa Drum DDS, MS, Root Canals

Sensitivity to Hot/Cold Liquids after Root Ca

Melissa Drum DDS, MS — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 06:03:00 EST

Question:

Sir/Mam, My husband had undergone root canal treatment for a tooth 4 months back. He has started being sensitive to hot/cold liquids recently. An X-ray showed his tooth to be in good condition. Kindly advice on what could be the problem and solution for the same.

. . .

Answer: Thermal sensitivity is not a typical symptom of previously treated root canals developing problems. However, this reaction to cold/hot liquids could indicate that there may be a problem with another tooth in the area. I would recommend that you see your local dentist or endodontist for an evaluati . . .

Ask an Expert: Melissa Drum DDS, MS, Root Canals

Headaches, Tooth & Ear Pain after Root Canal

Melissa Drum DDS, MS — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 08:03:00 EST

Question:

I had a root canal on tooth #13 almost a year ago and it seemed to be ok. I am having headaches on the left side and ear pain and went to the ENT and he ordered an MRI of my brain and everything is fine and he told me that it was a TMJ or tooth problem. I went to the dentist yesterday and he di . . .

Answer: I would recommend an evaluation by an endodontist. Previously root canal treated teeth should not be sensitive to air but another tooth in the area may be. You may also be having pain relating to other areas in the head and neck (muscles, headaches).

Ask an Expert: Melissa Drum DDS, MS, Root Canals

Partial Root Canal Over 15 Years Ago

Melissa Drum DDS, MS — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:02:00 EST

Question: I had a partial root canal done over 15 years ago, which went fine and I haven`t had any problems. Our dentist says he really hasn`t seen anything like it. So I have a tooth which is partly alive and dead. I never had a crown put on. I`m 61 years old and question if the root canal should be completl . . .

Answer: It is too difficult for me to answer this without having evaluated you. There are situations where non-ideal root canal therapy is left alone because it has been successful for many years. However, you are now having something new done to the tooth (a crown) so the answer depends on the reason for c . . .

Ask an Expert: Melissa Drum DDS, MS, Root Canals