Had a tooth filling, but still in pain? Why?!

moneysavvy35

Hello everyone.....

I went dentist last week and had a filling. The dentist said I will need root canal treatment at some stage, but could not predict when. I'm still in quite a lot of pain which sometimes gives me earache and headaches.

Why would I still be in pain if I've had a filling? The dentist didn't mention any infection. My gums aren't sore or swollen. Thier is no pain when I bite down its almost like the pain is deep in my jaw and its connecting to all the other nerves near my ear/jaw/head.

It's a deep throbbing pain that is painful more times than others.

It's horrible...has anybody else had this before?

Ps dentist not open, NHs cannot explain why I'm feeling pain they just advised painkillers.

thehappybutterfly

I've just had (another) root canal treatment after two months of horrendous pain. I didn't have an infection or anything but I was very inflamed inside the tooth hence the need for the root canal. The pain was just indescribable - burning and throbbing and it got worse when I ate or drank something hot and sweet. I didn't realise just how much constant pain I was in until he dug out...whatever it is they dig out during the treatment!

moneysavver

Not to make you feel worse but I have had a similar experience of late. Have been told this should ware off in a few weeks time and time again following the filling however 4 months later and I still get pain.

Guess its root canal for me - though going with a different dentist.

Hope you find a solution!

havaska

moneysavvy35 wrote: »

Hello everyone.....

I went dentist last week and had a filling. The dentist said I will need root canal treatment at some stage, but could not predict when. I'm still in quite a lot of pain which sometimes gives me earache and headaches.

Why would I still be in pain if I've had a filling? The dentist didn't mention any infection. My gums aren't sore or swollen. Thier is no pain when I bite down its almost like the pain is deep in my jaw and its connecting to all the other nerves near my ear/jaw/head.

It's a deep throbbing pain that is painful more times than others.

It's horrible...has anybody else had this before?

Ps dentist not open, NHs cannot explain why I'm feeling pain they just advised painkillers.

Obviously I can't diagnose over a forum without having examined yourself, but this is what it sounds like to me.

When your dentist did the filling it is likely it will have been quite close to the nerve of the tooth, hence them suggesting it will need a root canal treatment at some point.

A root canal treatment involves cleaning in the centre of the tooth where the nerve would live and removing what is left of the nerve so there isn't anything there to give you pain. It is then sealed up with a filling material in order to try to prevent it getting infected in the future.

What will be happening is that because the filling was so close, the nerve is unfortunately starting to die off now, hence the pain. The pain isn't caused because there is an infection such as a dental abscess.

The tooth will now either need to have the root canal treatment carried out, or be extracted. If you make an emergency appointment, someone should be able to do a temporary dressing on the tooth where they can clean in the centre where the nerve would live, and place a material to fully kill the nerve and stop it hurting for you.

If you can't control the pain with painkillers I recommend getting an emergency appointment with an out of hours dental service where someone can examine you and advise you fully.

Toothsmith

What he/she said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

moneysavvy35

havaska wrote: »

Obviously I can't diagnose over a forum without having examined yourself, but this is what it sounds like to me.

When your dentist did the filling it is likely it will have been quite close to the nerve of the tooth, hence them suggesting it will need a root canal treatment at some point.

A root canal treatment involves cleaning in the centre of the tooth where the nerve would live and removing what is left of the nerve so there isn't anything there to give you pain. It is then sealed up with a filling material in order to try to prevent it getting infected in the future.

What will be happening is that because the filling was so close, the nerve is unfortunately starting to die off now, hence the pain. The pain isn't caused because there is an infection such as a dental abscess.

The tooth will now either need to have the root canal treatment carried out, or be extracted. If you make an emergency appointment, someone should be able to do a temporary dressing on the tooth where they can clean in the centre where the nerve would live, and place a material to fully kill the nerve and stop it hurting for you.

If you can't control the pain with painkillers I recommend getting an emergency appointment with an out of hours dental service where someone can examine you and advice you fully.

Thanks so much for the replies. Funnily enough I have had a pain free today - I pray it doesn't come back with a vengeance tommorow.

Havasca - yes the dentist did say something like its right on the nerve or something like that. Your post above is very helpful at least I will know what to expect. I go away next weekend so hopefully the painkillers will keep it at bay till I can get an appt when I come back. thanks again

Toothsmith

If it's calmed down so quickly, it could easily be that the nerve was just irritated by the process and has now settled and will be fine.

The tooth will need a close eye kept on it over the next few check-ups, but there is a fair chance it might be perfectly OK.