Tooth Pain

Wow! I know what tooth pain means and how horrible it can be. I also know how important it is to choose a good dentist. Don't pick a young dentist, they are inexperienced. They do not know the ins and outs. I'll tell you my story:

Sep 2010: I went to the dentist with minor tooth pain. She takes a look at finds 2 cavities on the lower side on either side. She does a white composite filling on the lower left tooth. The pain gets worse. Meanwhile I am thinking: oh just give it time. It has just been worked on and it will take time to heal. A week later, the pain is still there. Still there 2 weeks later.

Oct 2010: Meanwhile, I am still giving it time to heal and go back to the same dentist to get other tooth on the right lower jaw fixed. It heals fine.

Nov 2010 I go back to the same dentist and tell her that my tooth still hurts. She takes a look and says, :Oh, its just root sensitivity. Use prevident, the fluoride toothpaste and it should go away in a few weeks. So, I do as she says. But the pain still stays the same.

Dec 2010 I have had this pain for 3 months now. I go back to the dentist and she does a redo of the filling and puts in a big filling covering up all the root. Pain actually gets worse. I am desperate now. The idea is dawning on me that the dentist is not doing something right.

Dec 2010 Last week of December, I go back to her and she refers me to an endodontist. The endodontist was not covered by my insurance so I had to find one by myself that was covered and I made an appontment that same day to see him.

Dec 26 2010 The endodontist recommends a root canal and performs it. But he does not close up as he says the root is very inflamed. He leaves my tooth with a big hole and a temporary lid. However the pain STILL doesn't go away. Unfortunately, the dentist is away for the next 2 weeks due to Christmas vacation. So I suffer with terrible root canal pain on top of the pain I already have, BTW, root canal pain is excruciating. Those of you who have had it and have had a hole left in your tooth for 2 weeks, know what I am talking about.

Jan 5 2010 I go back to the endodontist. He finishes up the root canal. And he re-dos the filling for the 3rd time and makes a discovery: He finds a sharp edge of the filling pressing into the gum, irritating it and causing bleeding. He takes it out and puts in fluoride cement which doesn't leave a sharp edge. Now, my question is: Was the root canal necessary? I think the answer is no as the pain was not caused by the root in the first place. It was the filling poking into my gum and it took 2 dentists and 3 redos to get it right. I am hoping for the best and I am sure that the endodontist found the root of the problem and my tooth is fixed, albeit with a hole in it. BTW, the endodontist has many years of experience.


In conclusion, after all this and enduring a lot of tooth pain over many months, I sympathize and understand all my fellow human beings suffering the same fate. My words of advice are: Always get a recommendation from a friend or co-worker etc. before you select a dentist. Select a practice that has several dentists working there, not  a one man or woman operation and select someone with lots of experience. Tooth pain consumes you. You can't think of anything but it. It takes over your head, your life, your thoughts and your energy. It can be worse than pain from surgery. I consumed so many pain killers! Anyway, I am glad its behind me. Today being Jan 5th, we will see how it goes. I am confident of complete recovery!