Really worried

[SpacemanJoe]

d a root canal about a little over a month ago. The tooth had had a filling in it before, but due to my fears I hadn’t been going for cleanings. In the summer my face on the left side (tooth is on bottom left all the way in the back) started to hurt and have pain in the upper jaw. Endo said it was referred pain and did a root canal.

Now, a bit more than a month and my tooth hurts and feels like it’s burning, and it hurts my face and sends pressure and pain up to my eye and to under my nose. It also makes my eye seem to be dry?

I went back to endo and he said just to wait and let it heal, and the only other thing we could do is pull it.

The thing is, it only gets sore and hurts when I use my tongue or finger to push the tooth in one direction. It also hurts when I bite down directly on it. After agitating it on purpose it hurts for the day, but then gets better and is not noticeable anymore.

I’m terrified my trigeminal nerve has been affected by the tooth decay and I will be in pterrible pain for the rest of my life.

 

[Dental cure and care]

The fact that you feel pain when applying pressure with your tongue or finger suggests that there may still be some sensitivity in the tooth or surrounding tissues. This could be due to residual inflammation or irritation in the area.
The sensation of pain radiating up to your eye and under your nose could indicate nerve involvement. However, this does not necessarily mean that your trigeminal nerve has been damaged .
The dryness in your eye could also be related to nerve irritation or stress responses from ongoing discomfort.
It is understandable to worry about potential complications such as trigeminal nerve damage following dental procedures, many cases of post-root canal discomfort resolve with time as healing progresses. Continuous communication with dentist regarding your symptoms will ensure appropriate management

 

[Dr M]

I would suggest maybe try and reduce the occlusion on the tooth. By removing it slightly out of function, it will allow the periodontal ligament and surrounding tissues to heal. Did the endodontist prescribe any medication such as an additional antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medication?
Do you perhaps have any post-operative x-rays that you could share?