In dental practice, it is often necessary to remove a nerve in a diseased tooth. Many patients believe that after this he becomes "dead" and, accordingly, should not bother. But nevertheless, there are cases when a tooth hurts without a nerve. Unpleasant sensations can occur immediately after filling the channels with paste or after some time. Why is this happening? What to do? You will find answers to these questions in this article.
Nerve removal
In order to decide on the removal of the pulp (nerve), the specialist must have a reason. Canal treatment is a necessary measure. In addition, depulpation is a complex process. Patients are accustomed to call the pulp system the nerve. Its processes are very thin. And the channels that the pulp fills are often winding. This makes it difficult for a specialist to access.
In addition, the procedure is carried out by a doctor almost blindly. The specialist does not have the ability to control the process visually. Sometimes, even with the help of X-rays, it is not possible to examine in detail the entire “labyrinth” of tooth channels. The image is not able to display the nerve processes hiding one after another. There are too narrow channels with atypical entrances. Removing the pulp with all its branches is not easy. After all, if you leave at least one “tail”, problems will begin. The patient will experience a toothache again. Without a nerve and with sealed canals, it would seem that he should not bother. Now we have to figure out what causes the pain.
Why does a sealed tooth without a nerve hurt?
In part, we answered this question when we considered the process of depulpation. Since it is carried out almost blindly, errors in dental practice are very common.
There are several more reasons why a tooth without a nerve hurts:
- Failed to clear the channels to the very end. Repeated tooth treatment, in which the channels were already filled with paste, sometimes leads to the situation in question.
- The introduction of material beyond the tip. A complication may occur in the form of inflammation of the jaw nerve.
- Insufficient washing with antiseptic channels. Microorganisms do not have time to die. As a result, an inflammatory process develops.
- Failed to completely fill the channels of the tooth. In the resulting voids, pathogenic bacteria almost always start. And this doctor’s mistake leads to the fact that the tooth hurts without a nerve when biting.
- Part of the toolkit may break off and remain in the channel. Accordingly, a foreign body will not allow for high-quality treatment.
- Inaccuracy of a doctor sometimes leads to perforation of the walls or apex of the root. All this will certainly lead to a complication in the form of an inflammatory process.
What do the errors lead to?
As we already understood, the unprofessional actions of the dentist very often lead to a sealed tooth that hurts. Without a nerve, or even with its smallest remnant, it will greatly disturb a person. If mistakes were made during endodontic treatment, a cyst or granuloma may develop. Often, the inflammatory process inside leads to swelling of the gums. After some time, a purulent abscess appears in the area of the diseased tooth, which is called flux. In such a situation, a person should immediately seek help from a specialist. The tooth itself begins to whine when pressed on it.
The nature of the pain may vary in intensity. A person experiences discomfort during a temperature difference (taking hot and cold food), when the weather changes.
Also, an untreated tooth differs externally from the rest of the units. Over time, the enamel darkens. Everything else is added bad breath.
Statistics show that nerve removal is error-free only in half the cases. That is why almost every patient may be familiar with a situation when a tooth hurts without a nerve.
Cyst
We’ll talk separately about such an unpleasant phenomenon as a cyst. In order for the neoplasm to declare itself painful, it may take a lot of time. Therefore, a tooth whose channels are not completely filled does not bother the patient at first. And only when the cyst reaches a large size (about 20 mm) does a person feel pain. The moment of its development is asymptomatic. But the reasons for its formation is still an infection that has gone beyond the root of the tooth. Statistics show that in 70% of cases, the formation develops due to the fact that the channels are not completely filled with filling material. The following symptoms may indicate the presence of a cyst:
- swollen gum;
- pain during chewing food;
- the size of the submandibular lymph nodes increases;
- enamel color change or even unit mobility;
- may increase body temperature.
But even in cases where the cyst does not cause discomfort in the patient, it is still dangerous. After all, this is a capsule filled with pus. The infection can spread to healthy tissues, causing complications such as periodontitis, periostitis, osteomyelitis, and even sepsis.
When should you not bother?
Can a tooth without a nerve hurt if it is properly treated? Experts say that in some cases, the reaction after filling is a normal occurrence. And the situation itself does not require a second visit to a doctor. The pain that occurs after filling the channels is called post-filling. Sensations can be constant and quite intense. Sometimes they can be cured only with the help of painkillers.
But most often, the reaction is expressed by aching mild pain that occurs when chewing and getting solid food on the tooth. In a week she should go. However, the patient may feel discomfort for up to three weeks.
How to distinguish post-filling pain from complications? If the work of a specialist is performed efficiently, then the sensations should subside every day. The pain gradually fades away. At the time of the development of the inflammatory process, on the contrary, the sensations will be more and more intense every day. In order to be sure of the origin of pain, it is necessary to take an x-ray.
How to deal with pain?
So, we examined the reasons why a tooth hurts without a nerve. What to do? If a mistake was made in the treatment of the canals, you will have to visit the dentist. And the sooner the better. In order to calm the post-filling pain, you can drink a pill “Analgin” or “Baralgin”. Specialists recommend taking these drugs if there is a slight aching pain. If the sensations differ in their intensity, you can take a tablet of "Ibuprofen" or "Ketanol."
Alternative ways to eliminate toothache
We will offer you some recipes of traditional medicine that will help with toothache. After all, you can not take painkillers for a long time. This can cause a disorder in the gastrointestinal tract. Here are some good tips:
- rinse your mouth with a decoction of chamomile, sage, oak bark, marshmallow root;
- use a soda solution (1 tsp. in a glass of water);
- attach a piece of propolis to the problem area;
- gruel from onion and garlic (application) will relieve pain.
Preventative measures
Of course, the best recommendation would be a thorough oral care. It is advisable not to allow depulpation of the nerve than to then deal with possible complications that arise very often.
It is necessary to thoroughly brush your teeth, use floss, conditioners. A regular visit to the dentist will determine the caries at the initial stage. Then the treatment will be simple manipulations. Do not have to remove the nerve. In addition to hygiene procedures, patients are advised to balance their diet. It should contain a sufficient amount of trace elements and vitamins.
A healthy lifestyle, walks in the fresh air, physical exercises will strengthen the whole body. The state of the oral cavity will also depend on the immune system.
But if it so happened that it was not possible to preserve the teeth in order, then it is necessary to responsibly approach the choice of the attending physician.
Instead of a conclusion
Now you know why a tooth hurts without a nerve under a filling. The reasons may be different. Usually, before treating the canals, the dentist warns about the possibility of unpleasant sensations. A specialist advises taking painkillers and waiting a while. It remains to add that if the discomfort does not go away a month after filling the channels, you must urgently consult a doctor. The sooner you do this, the easier it will be to treat complications. Take care of your health!