Root canal symptoms of needing one

[PostHeads123]

2.5 weeks back for 4 days got bad pain upper left, pain went from constant to gone and only coming if hot and cold in that area and that's going very slowly. Went dentist nothing obvious on xray, referred to facial pain dentist said 'might need a root canal' but it will be another £395 for a cone scan and consultation, Im already £400 in before this point with no answers, my funds are limited and can't get nhs.

A week before the pain started I had a fall and face planted hard on the side of face that now has the pain, I read about bruised / sprained tooth syndrome wondering if its that and I don't need root canal, and I should give it a bit more time to settle ? I'm worried though that if it is a root canal that leaving it longer could make things worst. Anyone else had simular symptoms and it needed root canal or it was bruised tooth ?

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

For me, this started with severe pain for 30 seconds when I ate anything hot or cold. Then I ended up with a shooting pain in my face for a few days and it felt like I was getting an electric shock when brushing that tooth with an electric toothbrush.

Then the pain subsided and went, a sure sign the nerve has given up the fight and died. From that point on I felt a slight pain if I touched the outside gum where that tooth was.

If you are going to get a root canal ensure you go to a Endodontist as they will have all the correct equipment to scan the tooth and ensure it is done properly. The root canal will cost the best part of £900 and the crown you require afterwards will be roughly the same again.

If you needed a root canal the infection would be obvious on an XRAY, the whole point of a root canal is to get out the infection.

[Simon_GH]

I’ve had a few root canals and they were typically hot sensitive and pain constant. The tooth became so sensitive I couldn’t eat on that side of my mouth,

If the pain was constant and now only occurs when provoked, I’d be tempted to wait a bit longer.

The need for a root canal in my cases was far from subtle!

[FlyVintage]

It could also be a cracked tooth. I had one that went unnoticed in several x-rays until it was finally detected. Symptoms included hot/cold sensitivity and sometimes just a constant dull ache. After repeated repairs failed to provide a permanent solution, I just had it pulled and have had no problems since.

[Simon_GH]

A cracked tooth usually causes pain under pressure. I’ve checked this with a dentist previously! Gum infection is also possible.

[PostHeads123]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

For me, this started with severe pain for 30 seconds when I ate anything hot or cold. Then I ended up with a shooting pain in my face for a few days and it felt like I was getting an electric shock when brushing that tooth with an electric toothbrush.

Then the pain subsided and went, a sure sign the nerve has given up the fight and died. From that point on I felt a slight pain if I touched the outside gum where that tooth was.

If you are going to get a root canal ensure you go to a Endodontist as they will have all the correct equipment to scan the tooth and ensure it is done properly. The root canal will cost the best part of £900 and the crown you require afterwards will be roughly the same again.

If you needed a root canal the infection would be obvious on an XRAY, the whole point of a root canal is to get out the infection.

Thanks that's the issue nothing obvious on xray but they saying need a cone scan to be sure. My regular dentist was certain no rct needed but other dentists not sure. I definitely get pain odd sensation from deep in the area. To complicate it more I have an implant in same area of discomfort but told that not the issue either. I don't think it's atypical facial pain or trigeminal nerve as I can generate the pain with hot and cold though not as bad as it was before, for last week not eaten or drank on that side. It's a first molar the place I was referred to wants 2k for root canal on top on £400 consulation. I tempted just to pull it.

Edited by PostHeads123 on Tuesday 18th February 16:53

[CrgT16]

In a very simplistic way without examination….

Pain that:
- comes and goes with no reason
- gets worse with a hot drink and some relief with a cold drink
- lasts more than a few mins once triggered

This are classic symptoms of an irreversible pulpitis… I.e. need root canal.

In addition it can feel like the tooth is the first one to touch when you bite or feels ‘spongy’ when chewing

A fracture is easier to diagnose in the mouth and normally the symptoms are not triggered with hot or cold but pressure.

See if this fits… a full exam with other tests would get to the bottom of it. A CBCT helps to confirm a diagnosis but should not be needed to achieve that diagnosis in my experience.

[PostHeads123]

CrgT16 said:

In a very simplistic way without examination….

Pain that:
- comes and goes with no reason
- gets worse with a hot drink and some relief with a cold drink
- lasts more than a few mins once triggered

This are classic symptoms of an irreversible pulpitis… I.e. need root canal.

In addition it can feel like the tooth is the first one to touch when you bite or feels ‘spongy’ when chewing

A fracture is easier to diagnose in the mouth and normally the symptoms are not triggered with hot or cold but pressure.

See if this fits… a full exam with other tests would get to the bottom of it. A CBCT helps to confirm a diagnosis but should not be needed to achieve that diagnosis in my experience.

Thanks, could be rct but I get pain both with hot and cold if that makes difference, cold worse than hot, nothing is visable in xray, the tooth has a had a filling though, replaced a year or so ago because it leaking. The tooth they think it is is one behind implant, this is xray from when pain first started, it 1st molar, one thing 2nd dentist noticed was signficant widening of the periodontal ligament, and they mentioned 'irreversible pulpitis' as well. I have xrays from 6 years ago of same tooth and the widening seems signficant.

Probably will have to pay for the cone scan thing and entodontics appointment to be sure, I just want treatment I know I need for sure rather than a 'may be'.

Edited by PostHeads123 on Tuesday 18th February 19:08

[CrgT16]

Difficult to be sure but I would say either that filling needs replacing if the pain subsides immediately when the hot or cold stimulus is removed or you need a root filling if it lingers for a while. You may be between the irreversible/reversible pulpitis but only a proper clinical examination will confirm with some degree of certainty the diagnosis.