I had a root canal treatment a few years ago. A few weeks ago, it started hurting again. I went back to the dentist and he did an x-ray that showed there is a new infection and told me I need a root canal re-treatment. I went back and had that done. He gave me a prescription for Penicillin and Vicodin. I was doing okay at first and then the pain came back something awful. I’ve been pretty much living on the Vicodin and the dentist has refilled that when it ran out. I went for a second appointment because I am convinced that something is wrong. He told me that some people take longer to heal and the fact that I started feeling better was a good sign. He did offer me a second round of antibiotics. However, I’m about two weeks out of the retreatment and still in so much pain that I cannot sleep. Is this normal? I don’t remember my first root canal treatment being like this.
Kate
Dear Kate,
No, this is not normal and I have some real concerns here. First, while getting better is a good sign, if I understand you correctly, you said that you got worse after that. That is a particularly bad sign.
I think you need to see a root canal specialist. This should already have resolved and I don’t think your dentist understands what is going on. Not only is he not taking the fact that you are still in pain this far out seriously, but he’s also not prescribed what I would consider the best antibiotic for your situation. Additionally, he didn’t switch it to a different type of antibiotic when the first one was ineffective. I think you need Clindamycin.
If he delays getting you to a root canal specialist, find one on your own. They’re called endodontists and will be able to get you the help you need. I don’t think you’ll put this off, but for the benefit of others reading I will say this is the type of dental emergency when, if left untreated, can turn life threatening. So don’t leave it.
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