Healing or Not Healing?

[Brause]

Tooth #21 was obturated only 4 months after the pulpectomy because of slow healing. A branching channel was only detected during obturation and there was a minor overfill on the other.

Potential cystic tissue, also interpreted as scar tissue, formed above that "hidden" canal (or was there before...see images).

Things went from bad to worse following obturation with strong toothaches, headaches, speaking hurt...after 2 months I was ready for an extraction despite overuse of painkillers. Things improved a bit another 2 weeks later, but it took a total of 4 months for my first not completely miserable day.

Today, 16.5 month later, I still have 24/7 pain, though much milder.

I wonder what could have gone wrong. 2nd root canal, second disaster.

At one point I probably should opt for extraction/implant.

 

[Brause]

The question is: how can things get very painful for months after obturation, when the X-ray on obturation day looks pretty good? Did the introduction of the gutta percha squeeze some biofilms into the periapial area that decided to stay there for good and that the body was unable to destroy?

What's odd: biting ok, when touching tooth 21 horizontally not. Also hurts when touching the face between the upper lip and the nose.

 

[JcMac]

Geez Louise... 16 months of pain 24/7 really isn't worth a tooth. Why not take it out and get an implant? Even if I wasn't able to afford the implant I'd still much prefer taking it out.

 

[JcMac]

The question is: how can things get very painful for months after obturation, when the X-ray on obturation day looks pretty good? Did the introduction of the gutta percha squeeze some biofilms into the periapial area that decided to stay there for good and that the body was unable to destroy?

What's odd: biting ok, when touching tooth 21 horizontally not. Also hurts when touching the face between the upper lip and the nose.

Well, the answer is simple: it's not an exact science. And dentists make mistakes. Or maybe also sometimes the body doesn't react well. Could have been many things, many of which are unfortunately not visible on x-ray. (I'm not a dentist).