Hi, I just had a root canal done on Thursday at 9:30am. I'm a 42 year old male. The tooth I had the root canal on, was a top tooth, on my left side, just in front of my molar. It had a very deep composite filling for 10-15 years and I would feel slight pressure in it for the last several years from time to time. I have a couple of questions. When the endodontist started the root canal he started with a 18.5 reamer I guess then did one of the roots, then did an exray then went to 20.5, he mentioned that the composite filling was very deep and a root canal should've been done then and a crown as the composite filling did me no favors and crystallized the roots. Does that make any sense? He mentioned there were 3 roots. I was in the chair for 1.5 hours, I didn't feel anything except the intial needle for the novacaine. He mentioned that the roots were infected and they gave me a prescription for 24- 500 mg amoxycilin every 8 hours. In the end they took an xray and then put in some rubber plugs and fused them in the roots. Then temporarily filled it. He mentioned it would be sore for 2 days. The endodontist has a 4.8 star review on healthgrades out of 24 reviews.

Here are my questions. That night and the next day my left nostril (same side) was slightly clogged. One time that night and one time first in the morning and one time the following night. I had to blow my nose and it was thick mucas like cold pancake syrup and about 1/2 a teaspoon worth out of my left nostril, but all bright red blood, is this normal? My breathing is clear now. Next question, the tooth has a little sensitivity if I run my tongue over the bottom of the tooth...….not a lot, but a little, is this normal? I thought when they removed the roots, you didn't feel things with the tooth as that's the nerve? I have been eating soft foods, taking the prescription as directed, and have avoided biting down on that side, but accidentally did today on something soft......bread I think.....and there's definitely some discomfort on that tooth.....is it normal?

Thank You.

It is quite common for the nerve to die as the result of a deep cavity/filling. Whether it should have had the RCT at the time is debatable. I'd say you got 10-15 years of service out of that filling and the end result is no more involved. Good call by the original dentist IMO.

The roots of the upper back teeth sit right up against the floor of the sinus, so congestion and irritation after procedures is not unusual. Tough to say if that was actually 1/2 teaspoon of blood or a few drops of blood mixed with mucous. In either case, I wouldn't be too concerned by a single incident. Obviously, give him a call if it continues.

RCT removes the nerve from the root of the tooth, but the surrounding bone is still very much alive. That is what you are feeling.

What MNSIG said. Good call to have a specialist (Endodontist) treat the tooth - upper back (molar) teeth can have complex roots. And post-operative discomfort is normal following endodontics - the periodontal ligament and bone surrounding the roots are alive, with vital nerves. Sinusitis can also be normal with an upper tooth, especially if infected initially.

Also good recommendation to call him if it gets worse - you probably already know that endodontics is not 100% successful - it can be a lot less. The success rate depends on multiple things, including the original condition of the tooth and the difficulty of repair, but one of the causes of failure is sometimes hyperocclusion (a "high" bite, causing that tooth to contact first when chewing), and a simple adjustment might be needed - the tooth will need a crown anyway after it settles down. Give it some time, and work with your dentist - and good luck!

I have had several root canals. Your experience sounds completely normal for a more than average one. The antibiotics will cure any remaining infection. Take it religiously.

These can cause an opening between sinus and mouth, leading to infection. Frequently closes on own, sometimes not. Don’t sneeze, blow nose or put pressure on. Went through this earlier this year - Lon story short lost the second molar, got a sinus infection for months, had sinus surgery. Cannot get a post without building up bone and a bridge is basically a crown on either side so not doing that.

Sinus, nerves, etc can be serious so work with Endododntist and don’t hesitate to see ENT if not getting better.

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That is more applicable to an extraction. Even if an endo file perforated the sinus, the hole would be tiny and is plugged by the sealant and tooth itself.

Thank You guys for your responses. I feel a lot better since it's the weekend and this has been going on for 48 hours or so when I posted. And, your responses help clear a few things up or doubts that I had. The blood in mucas has stopped and breathing seems clear on that side now. I've been tired first two days, possibly my body fighting the infection or the medication. But it all makes sense and now seem normal again, energy-wise and tooth doesn't seem as sensitive either.

Great that you’re seeing a specialist and everything sounds normal. A word of caution re: amoxicillin. I too had a root canal around age 45 and didn’t respect that antibiotic’s potential effect on my gut microbiome.
Amoxicillin is one of the largest culprits behind clostridium difficile infections. Basically we pretty much all have C. diff to a varying degree in our intestines, kept in check by other probiotic flora. Amoxicillin (like many antibiotics but correlation is very high with the particular semi-synthetic penicillin in question) can result in dysbiosis, whereby beneficial bacteria are selectively eliminated - allowing for a greater pathogenic concentration of C. diff, which may ultimately infect the colon. Loose watery stool is the most common symptom as the colon becomes inflamed.
To prevent dysbiosis, it’s highly recommended that you eat Greek yogurt with active cultures daily. Doing so should replenish the beneficial probiotics that are eliminated as a result of amoxicillin use.

I had a root canal done about two years ago on an upper molar. Done by an endodontist. I don't have dental insurance and it cost me $1200. When the tooth remained sensitive at 6 mos post-op, they repeated it at no charge. It is still sensitive, no change. I'm not sure how you can twice do a nerve-killing procedure and the tooth remain sensitive but I have since encountered others, who experienced the same result.

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Yeah it happens. I finally had the tooth extracted. No more pain. A tooth is not as strong after endo treatment.

I've had six root canals. The upper rear ones didn't give me a sinus issue, but two of them were sensitive for months after the procedure. I'd say you're having normal reations.

The sensitivity has almost all disappeared. Still feeling a little tired, but might be the meds and/or fighting the infection. Breathing has cleared up quite a bit. I had the crown appointment scheduled for the 23, but have to delay it a few days due to a work conflict on the 23rd.