Crowned root canal tooth painful to bite and aches. Should I get it extracted?

Question

Root canal and permanent crown finished over 2 months ago. The bite on the crown has been adjusted and is perfect. Sensitive sometimes painful to bite and has a semi constant ache. Root canal was done by an endodontist. I have been to my dentist, the endodontist that performed the root canal, and another endodontist and all three see nothing wrong in the xrays, and can find no signs of infection. I was prescribed antibiotics just to see, and there has been no change. The endodontist that did the work has offered to redo the root canal (no charge) and see if that helps. He was grim in his prospects however, and says all the symptoms sway towards a crack, and another rc may infact make it worse. All three agreed that a cracked tooth will have to be extracted. My question is, is it worth the second root canal, or should the tooth just be extracted now to end the problems? Is there any other possibilities?

Answer 1

If the tooth is cracked, it needs to be extracted and if its extracted, the space needs to be filled in with a bridge. If they don't fill the space the teeth will begin to collapse in on the open space causing many more problems down the road. However, if they do the root canal for free, then go that route because its always best to save the tooth if possible.

Answer 2

Depends on the tooth. I had a root canal a few weeks ago and it was TERRIBLE! But I had another root canal and it was totally fine- no pain, nothing bad my jaw was just a bit sore from keeping my mouth open for that long. I had a tooth extracted a week ago and that was HORRIFYING!! I would have taken the root canal over that any day but the tooth couldn't be saved. If they can save your tooth w/ a root canal, but it's infected, I really think you should be on antibiotics for a few days before they do the root canal. If there is infection present, the novacaine won't be effective and that is what made mine so awful. So, root canal as long as there is no infection, or you get the infection cleared up before. Extractions leave lingering pain and complications. Root canal, if done properly, is said and done- no lingering pain excpet a sore jaw.

Answer 3

I would say that it is definitely worth a try at the second root canal. Having a tooth extracted sounds like an easy solution but v=can lead to many unforeseen complications. Any time a tooth is missing all of the other teeth shift. This can lead to a bad cosmetic appearance as well as weakened roots on the other teeth. Avoid it whenever possible.

Answer 4

I'd agree with Justine. If the endo has said he'd give it another go, why not try? While it sounds like a crack is possible, maybe there is another canal that was not detected. This is especially common on upper first molars, but it occurs in others as well.

Answer 5

ONCE THE TOOTH HAS BEEN EVALUATED BY TWO OTHER SPECIALISTS AND THE BITE IS GOOD, A CRACK IS MOST LIKELY, AND UNFORTUNATELY AN EXTRACTION IS THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE ACHE. THIS IS UNLESS A PROCEDURE KNOWN AS A HEMISECTION MAY BE DONE. AS YOUR DENTIST.

Answer 6

If the endodontist is prepared to retreat the tooth at no charge, why not go for it? All you'll have to lose is your time. Then if it still bothers you, get it removed.