Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for August 2021

Should My Root Canal Tooth Still Hurt?

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Last week, I had a repeat root canal on a lower molar. My dentist thought she might have missed a canal, so she referred me to an endodontist. The endodontist repeated treatment but did not find a missing canal or an untreated canal. He said that my dentist did a great job. The endodontist told me that I would have some discomfort, but the tooth still hurts. This tooth has been problematic for most of 2021, and I hate to think that the root canal was not the solution after all. How long will it continue to hurt? Also, the endodontist reminded me to follow up with my dentist for a crown, but I cannot afford a crown right now. Is it necessary? Thank you. Dom from GA

 

Dom,

You can assess the success of root canal treatment by the way your tooth feels over time. If pain or swelling is not increasing, your tooth should begin feeling relief in a few days.

How Long Is Root Canal Recovery?

After root canal treatment, as local anesthesia wears off, you will feel soreness and tenderness in your tooth and jaw for a few days. The American Association of Endodontists confirms that you should contact your dentists or specialist if severe pain or pressure lasts for more than a few days.

What Can You Do While Your Root Can Tooth Heals?

While your root canal tooth heals, you can increase your comfort in these ways:

  • Take over-the-counter pain reliever or medication as your dentist or endodontist prescribed
  • Avoid chewing on or biting down with the root canal tooth
  • Avoid sticky, chewy, crunchy, sugary, and acidic food
  • Gently brush your teeth and floss around them
  • Keep your follow-up appointment

Contact your dentist or endodontist if your discomfort continues or increases or if you feel that your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth meet) is off.

Do You Need a Crown After Root Canal Treatment?

Diagram of a root canal tooth (left) and the healed tooth with a crown (right)
A dentist can work with you to make a root canal and crown affordable

A crown on a molar tooth will protect it after root canal treatment. Molars grind food, and the crown can absorb the stress on a tooth that is already weak. If you cannot afford a crown, speak with your dentist about payment plans or financing.

 

Ryan Perry, DDS, a Baton Rouge dentist, sponsors this post.

My dentist seems afraid to extract my tooth

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Man holding face in pain and needng an affordable dentist for root canal treatmentIn 2019, my upper first molar tooth broke two after the filling came out. The pain increased, so I went to a dentist who did a root canal on the tooth. I still had some pain in the tooth on and off, but I was afraid to see a dentist, and since the dentist did not follow up with me, I left the matter alone. So that’s how I got to the temporary filling falling out. Two weeks ago, I went to a new dentist that my coworker recommended. My coworker likes the dentist’s patient care, and she has lower fees than most dentists in our area. The dentist said that repeating a root canal is too invasive and prefers to remove the tooth. She told me that the extraction might include removing some bone. She seemed a bit hesitant or afraid about extracting my tooth. The other option she gave me is to see an oral surgeon who can extract the tooth under anesthesia. Which option should I choose? Thank you. Dylan from SC

 

Dylan,

Thank you for your question. Dr. Perry would need to examine your tooth and x-rays for an accurate diagnosis. But your new dentist may be uncomfortable with the complexity of the extraction. Or, your dentist may think that the experience could be traumatic for you.

You have had bad dental experiences in the past. Even after the root canal issue, your anxiety kept you away from the dentist. So perhaps an extraction under anesthesia is a good idea for you. Millions of people have dental anxiety that prevents them from getting proper care. If your dentist attempts the extraction and it is unusually uncomfortable for you, the experience will add to your stress.

What to Ask If Your Dentist Is Hesitant About Tooth Extraction

If your dentist is hesitant about tooth extraction, you can talk with them to help you decide your course of treatment. We recommend that you speak to your new dentist about her comfort level with your tooth extractions. You can apply these questions to almost any procedure your dentist is hesitant about:

  • How many extractions like this have you performed?
  • What form of sedation will you use for the procedure?
  • Do you think removing the tooth might be traumatic for me due to the condition of my tooth roots?
  • Do you expect complications?

Although it sounds like your dentist is honest about what you can expect with the extraction, it might help to ask a few more questions. And you mentioned that your dentist makes your treatment affordable. Although you may have found a knowledgeable dentist, please do not let low fees alone determine who will extract your teeth. Ensure your dentist has training and experience to make your experience pleasant. You can also schedule a consultation with the oral surgeon and get their opinion.

 

Dr. Ryan Perry, a Baton Rouge dentist, sponsors this post.