Molar referred pain

Eros

Since early March my molar UL 6 has had a periodic dull ache and has increased in regularity. Now maybe 2/3. It comes and goes.
At the start of May, my dentist, along with xrays and scans, did a cold test on the molar and got a reaction He could find no problem but has referred me to a specialist to do root treatment in 7 weeks time. Apparently as there is a large filling he is not sure how much tooth there is to hold crown.
At the same time he did tests and xrays on molar UL 7 and said it would need root canal work though there had been no pain and none in the weeks since.

I wondered if it could be referred pain from UL7 to UL 6 but would it be referred for this long ie early March to mid June?

I suppose my concern is the specialist does not do unnecessary work on UL6.

Thanks

MalMonroe

We're not supposed to attempt to give medical advice here but in general, the specialist will do as most specialists do - that is a full examination before discussing with you what they think is the best course of action. Once you have all the facts, you can then make your own decision.

Toothsmith

If your dentist has referred you, he will have sent relevant details of which tooth he wants treated, what investigations have been done, what symptoms you've been complaining of and what they believe to be necessary.

The specialist will also investigate and make sure they're in agreement with what's being asked of them before starting. 

If there is any disagreement, it will be discussed with both you and the referring dentist before anything different is agreed upon.

It's a bit hard to make out from your post - but what I think is happening is that you complained of a particular tooth hurting, the dentist investigated and found that tooth to be ok, but the tooth behind it to have a problem that required the root filling? It is this tooth that you have been referred for, and that it is that UL7 that has been designated for root filling? Not the tooth which feels to have symptoms?

If that's the case - then you are right - symptoms from a poorly tooth can often feel to be in a different tooth. The specialist won't just bang on and treat a tooth that 'feels' to hurt when your referring dentist has asked them to treat a completely different tooth though.

Eros

Thanks Toothsmith.

Apologies that I wasnt clear.

 In early May my dentist was checking UL6 and couldn't find anything however Im still getting aches from it.

At the same time he checked UL7 and found the need for root canal treatment. Its never had pain and I wouldn't have known had he not tested.

Recently, my dentist referred to me to an Dental specialist. This was primarily for root canal on UL6 but also told the Endodontist about UL7.  I have just checked with the Dental specialist and apparently the Endo will assess both then treat the immediate concern first.

My query was whether if it was referred pain from UL7 to UL6 would it be expected to last as long ie early March to mid June? The very few comments I could find online suggested a couple of weeks.

Toothsmith

If pain from a problem tooth is referring to a tooth with no problems - then the pain will refer either on & off or constantly until the problem is fixed.

The referral place sounds like they're going to do exactly the right thing. Assess both (and they'll have all sorts of stuff not usually accessible to a general dentist) and treat whichever is causing the problem.

Eros

Thanks again Toothsmith - much appreciated.