Discussion
I've had this recurring pain in the top right area of my gum, in the 2nd to/or last molar. It's been on and off for the past 5 years, cropping up every 6 months or so. In the past year ,however, its occurred a lot more frequently. Especially in the last month were its hit me 3 times. I've had a dental x-ray in the affected area, once in 2012 and last month, and everything appears to be in order.
Although the tooth pain has always been in the same area and the symptoms exactly the same throughout the past 5 years. Last month, towards the end of the 2nd round of pain, a gum cyst formed near the top of the upper gum. When I pushed it, it was soft. After pressing harder it would burst internally, only to reform after 30 mins had passed. Within 3 days the cyst was gone as was the pain. The 2015 X-ray was taken after this incident and no infection was in any tooth.
So what could be causing it? Taking anti-biotics certainly helped, no signs of infection in any of the tooth pulp, when jumping no pain is felt (ruling out sinus related pressure and pain?) and the cyst forming potentially rules out a trigeminal nerve disorder? My dentist is baffled, she thinks it could be either an impacted wisdom tooth or a cracked filling. But if the pain has been recurring for 5 years it can't be a cracked filling surely, especially as the x-ray showed no infection?
Although the tooth pain has always been in the same area and the symptoms exactly the same throughout the past 5 years. Last month, towards the end of the 2nd round of pain, a gum cyst formed near the top of the upper gum. When I pushed it, it was soft. After pressing harder it would burst internally, only to reform after 30 mins had passed. Within 3 days the cyst was gone as was the pain. The 2015 X-ray was taken after this incident and no infection was in any tooth.
So what could be causing it? Taking anti-biotics certainly helped, no signs of infection in any of the tooth pulp, when jumping no pain is felt (ruling out sinus related pressure and pain?) and the cyst forming potentially rules out a trigeminal nerve disorder? My dentist is baffled, she thinks it could be either an impacted wisdom tooth or a cracked filling. But if the pain has been recurring for 5 years it can't be a cracked filling surely, especially as the x-ray showed no infection?
What you saw was not a cyst but very probably a fistula (or "sinus) from an infection.
The infection is either because you have priblems with your gums or due to a dead tooth.
Did the dentists put anything cold on your tooth to see if it was alive? Or did he/she check to see if there were any deep pockets around this tooth?
The infection is either because you have priblems with your gums or due to a dead tooth.
Did the dentists put anything cold on your tooth to see if it was alive? Or did he/she check to see if there were any deep pockets around this tooth?
The tooth isn't sensitive to heat or cold. It's only when I bite down on that tooth that it hurts. As I said before, the x-Ray last month showed no sign of infection in the area causing pain.
Will hopefully have an answer tomorrow. The biggest pain is I have final year exams next week. Having on and off sleep with the constant throbbing of pain during the day isn't a great combination for revision!
Will hopefully have an answer tomorrow. The biggest pain is I have final year exams next week. Having on and off sleep with the constant throbbing of pain during the day isn't a great combination for revision!
rb26 said:
The tooth isn't sensitive to heat or cold. It's only when I bite down on that tooth that it hurts. As I said before, the x-Ray last month showed no sign of infection in the area causing pain.
Will hopefully have an answer tomorrow. The biggest pain is I have final year exams next week. Having on and off sleep with the constant throbbing of pain during the day isn't a great combination for revision!
You won't necessarily see the infection on a radiograph. Pain on biting is one symptom of an infected tooth.Will hopefully have an answer tomorrow. The biggest pain is I have final year exams next week. Having on and off sleep with the constant throbbing of pain during the day isn't a great combination for revision!
Vitality test needed.
You said antibiotics helped which pretty much proves the problem is recurring infection.
If you've got exams you're probably stressed and so clenching your teeth which could exacerbate things.
Sounds like you've got another appointment today so let us know what happens
Just got back from the dentist.
Unfortunately it appears I will require a root canal procedure. She extracted the puss from the cyst like lump on the edge of my gum (ouch!) and then filled it with what I presume was disinfectant. She took another x-ray from a different angle (angled more toward the top of the tooth rather than the side) but still couldn't find any sign of infection. She commented that it could be a number of things from; an early stage of gum diseases, a cracked tooth or somehow the plaque has found a way into the pulp. The filling that was over my affected tooth was still in good condition so perhaps its my neglect of using floss that has finally caught up with me. This has certainly given me the wake up call I need for dental hygiene, not looking forward to March 6th. :/
Unfortunately it appears I will require a root canal procedure. She extracted the puss from the cyst like lump on the edge of my gum (ouch!) and then filled it with what I presume was disinfectant. She took another x-ray from a different angle (angled more toward the top of the tooth rather than the side) but still couldn't find any sign of infection. She commented that it could be a number of things from; an early stage of gum diseases, a cracked tooth or somehow the plaque has found a way into the pulp. The filling that was over my affected tooth was still in good condition so perhaps its my neglect of using floss that has finally caught up with me. This has certainly given me the wake up call I need for dental hygiene, not looking forward to March 6th. :/
rb26 said:
Just got back from the dentist.
Unfortunately it appears I will require a root canal procedure. She extracted the puss from the cyst like lump on the edge of my gum (ouch!) and then filled it with what I presume was disinfectant. She took another x-ray from a different angle (angled more toward the top of the tooth rather than the side) but still couldn't find any sign of infection. She commented that it could be a number of things from; an early stage of gum diseases, a cracked tooth or somehow the plaque has found a way into the pulp. The filling that was over my affected tooth was still in good condition so perhaps its my neglect of using floss that has finally caught up with me. This has certainly given me the wake up call I need for dental hygiene, not looking forward to March 6th. :/
I had RCT last week. It's fine. Just like a normal filling but takes a little longer. You'll not feel a thing.Unfortunately it appears I will require a root canal procedure. She extracted the puss from the cyst like lump on the edge of my gum (ouch!) and then filled it with what I presume was disinfectant. She took another x-ray from a different angle (angled more toward the top of the tooth rather than the side) but still couldn't find any sign of infection. She commented that it could be a number of things from; an early stage of gum diseases, a cracked tooth or somehow the plaque has found a way into the pulp. The filling that was over my affected tooth was still in good condition so perhaps its my neglect of using floss that has finally caught up with me. This has certainly given me the wake up call I need for dental hygiene, not looking forward to March 6th. :/
rb26 said:
Did the dentist put in a crown? My concern is the longevity of the tooth after having the procedure, did your dentist specific how long it would last?
Not yet, no. My second session is next week. Session 1 is to remove the decay, get rid of the nerve and put lots of disinfectants / bleach (not really) etc into the tooth. This is sealed for a week to ensure all the bacteria is gone, and round 2 is when they seal and fill it properly. By christ it's made life better already. My dentist says that a crown is advisable as the tooth will be weakened (this is backed up from what I've read) but his advice is to leave it filled but uncrowned for a few months to make sure everything's OK. It's easier if it still needs attention to fix it at that stage, rather than after tthe crown is applied.
HTH.
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