Dental Issue...Totally Stressed Out...Please Help.?

I am going in on July 2 for a root canal. This is an old root canal (15 yrs old), gone bad,...needs restoration. Anyway, the dentist took me in on emergency to drill it open so it can drain. I have been having some issues with it. I am currently taking antibiotics. I need to know if these symptoms are normal before a root canal treatment, while on antibiotics. I am experiencing the following: Tenderness to touch, when I am in the cold wind for too long it aches (does not pulsate) but aches, I also feel pressure when I wash my face above the tooth but under the cheak tissue and on the gum. Those are my symptoms...with NO pulsating. If a dentist, endodonstist or RDA can advise, that would be great. I appreciate the help. Thank you.

Dental Issue...Totally Stressed Out...Please Help.?
Yes, the tenderness to touch and pressure is due to the infection, the tooth probably feels taller or touches first when you bite or close the upper and lower teeth together. That along with the ache you described is typical abscess symptoms. It may take at least two days before you feel any effects from the antibiotics, but they will offer you some relief. It may be advisable for you to take Advil or Motrin 800mg every 6-8 hours, this will help with the inflammation that you are experiencing. You didn't mention a crown being on the tooth. I hope that you did have this tooth crowned previously, if not then hopefully you will after your re-treat. Hope I've been of some help and good luck with your pending procedure.





The only odd symptom with this is your sensation to cold. Since the tooth has no nerve due to the earlier root canal therapy, it shouldn't respond to hot or cold. With that said, I would be inclined to think you may possibly have cracked or split this tooth. They will be able to tell when the dentist does the re-treat.
Reply:Except for the cold air symptom, you couldn't have descibed an abscess tooth any better. Text book presentation. Go ahead and get the root canal redone and move on.
Reply:this is sooo normal in fact a patient that came in today was have the same syptoms , absessed tooth,you are not alone.....is aches because your tooth is sensitive to hot and cold normal...you are feeling pressure because you have an infection in that tooth but thats why you are on antibiotics to kill the infections take it as directed and you will be fine and those symptoms will soon go away....feel better
Reply:I'm sorry you are hurting so much.


As far as all being normal, Yes, specially if you just started on the antibiotics. It should gradually get less and less as you continue taking the full dose.


The medication will help bring the inflammation from the apex (root of your tooth) down. However, you still need to have the treatment recommended done. If you do not, the symptoms will all come back about a week or two after you are done with the medication. Most likely after the Dr. took a look at your abscess from the x-ray, he came to the conclusion that it would be easier for you to have the treatment after some of the swelling goes down. It sounds like you are in great hands.