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Hi, Doctor. I Had A Root Canal Done On A

Posted on Mon, 6 Jul 2020

Question: Hi, doctor. I had a root canal done on a front tooth (#9) and the x-ray shows a very minor amount of overfill at the tip left by the dentist. Tooth has been on and off pressure sensitive and very sensitive in general to touch, etc. for years now. I really do not want to lose this tooth or have an implant due to also having trigeminal neuralgia that adversely affects the face and no idea if it affects this tooth. My question is how significant is a tiny amount of overfill in terms of creating this sensitivity and is it pertinent at all? I am considering a possible re-treatment based on your feedback. Thanks so much.

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

Hi, doctor. I had a root canal done on a front tooth (#9) and the x-ray shows a very minor amount of overfill at the tip left by the dentist. Tooth has been on and off pressure sensitive and very sensitive in general to touch, etc. for years now. I really do not want to lose this tooth or have an implant due to also having trigeminal neuralgia that adversely affects the face and no idea if it affects this tooth. My question is how significant is a tiny amount of overfill in terms of creating this sensitivity and is it pertinent at all? I am considering a possible re-treatment based on your feedback. Thanks so much.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Overfilling can be a cause of sensitivity.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for the query.

Well, overfilling can cause sensitivity.

But to give you an appropriate advise I need to see your x ray..

So please upload your x ray so that I can advise you better.

Thanks..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (11 hours later)

I wish I could but not able to upload an x-ray. Just one more general question. In an apico, is the overfill taken out of the tooth?

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

I wish I could but not able to upload an x-ray. Just one more general question. In an apico, is the overfill taken out of the tooth?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Apico might not be needed in all cases

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Well, Apicoectomy procedure can be an option, but is not always needed if the Dentist can re-open the tooth and remove the filling and do the procedure again..

However, it can be confirmed only after a thorough evaluation of the x ray and your tooth clinically..

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (3 days later)

Hi, doctor. Yes, I am going for a re-treatment since the tooth is pressure sensitive as well as just sensitive in general. I am told by the endodontist that the filling is borderline overfill (possibly a millimeter or less level with the apex) My question is this - he said he will try his best to get the filling all out of canal but there is a chance that it may break up and some particles go further up. What are (if any) the implications or adverse affects of this?
Will it cause me further problems if this occurs if some escape his grasp?

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
If it goes apically, it can cause problems..

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for the query..

Well, if the filling goes higher up then it can cause problems like inflammation, pain..

In that case there are chances of loosing the tooth and in some cases Retrograde filling, that is filling the root canal from root end can help in saving the tooth..

But first let him attempt Root canal procedure again and see if it gets successful..

Hope this helps..

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

Thank you, doctor, for your concise answer. To be honest, I'm a little nervous because I do have some light neuralgia in that same area, yet I know that tooth feels somewhat pressure sensitive. The very last thing I need is for that filling to go apically. Reason is an implant is not even an option due to other issues. Two part last question. Endo did say he may take 3 visits to do this one since it is an important front tooth and I'm wondering if he meant on the second visit, it would be to check for any residual filling. On further thinking, though, if something dislodged during first visit, I doubt he could get it out on second. Also, in your experience, is this something that is generally successful in terms of removing entire filling in canal?

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (6 minutes later)

One last thing came to mind to ask - should some material escape, would that be seen on an x-ray?

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

One last thing came to mind to ask - should some material escape, would that be seen on an x-ray?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, x ray will show any residual material.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Well, your symptoms are not due to Neuralgia.

If in one sitting complete filling material is not removed then it can be removed in second sitting..

Also many a times the filling material can come out completely at once also..

So just go for the treatment.
Hopefully it will be successfully done..

Please let me know if you have more questions.
I will be happy to help..

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (22 hours later)

Doctor, going for treatment but one last question if I may to rule out, as u say, anything to do with neuralgia that sometimes involves teeth. This tooth is sensitive almost 24 hours a day, not even biting on it although it is hard to avoid being a front tooth. Can filling material (borderline overfill, different opinions on that) but anyway, how can dormant filling material cause this sensitivity? I ask because I have had many root canals in the past but no bad reaction at all.

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (26 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Overfilled material act as foreign body leading to inflammation

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
If there is overfilled filling material, when it comes in contact with body tissues it acts as foreign material and cause reaction.

It is not Neuralgia.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (0 minute later)

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T