DD14 root canal complications- need advice

[Val]

My DD14 had a root canal on a front tooth today. She was all set to leave and then- bam- pain hit. Dr. worked on her for another 45 minutes and then came out and got my husband. Apparently he accidentally got the disinfectant solution into the root and on her nerve. She is in incredible pain, her face is incredibly swollen and bruised and she is one unhappy camer. The Dr. numbed the vagus nerve and said it should last three hours- then we are to alternate vicodin and motrin. She is on a huge dose of antiobiotics, as well. Mercifully, she is sleeping soundly now (of course, this would have to happen to my DD with drama queen tendencies already- but she REALLY hurts!).

Two questions. One- how bad is this, and two, how long a recovery? We leave for WDW on the 7th.....will she/should she be okay? Any advice to help her other than lots of TLC, chicken soup and milkshakes (my DH is at the store fortifying our chicken broth and milk shake stock!)?......

 

[Kimberle]

Your poor dd......

I had a root canel on a front tooth last summer. I had absolutly no pain.

No ideas, but I sure hope she feels better soon.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Dental hygienist here,

I have to say that I have never heard of a complication such as this. When a root canal is performed the nerve is removed leaving the tooth non-viable (or in other words dead). There should be no pain at all. I HAVE seen when air is accidentally pushed into the tissues and horrible bruising and pain results. The treatment for this is massive antibiotics and it usually takes at least a week to recover.

 

[Val]

Tiggersmom2...that's what I don't understand. The Dr. came out and explicitly told my husband that the disinfectant solution had gone up the canal and onto the nerve and that he had NEVER had this happen to him....he gave us his home phone number and told us to watch her carefully for airway swelling, pain, shortness of breath, etc......my DH said the Dr. was acting fairly upset but that he (DH) just wanted to get DD out of there as she was hysterical and crying wasn't helping her swelling.....sure wish I would have taken her as I tend to be....errhhh.....a little more forward and forceful in these situations than super-sweet-but-too-nice DH. I am mildly panicked- (okay, we are getting beyond mild and into moderate) especially looking at her face- it is completely swollen and bruising on the side where the work was done........

 

[dumboiu]

Call your physician.......or another oral surgeon. Get another medical opinion.

 

[Mr._The_King]

I would call a root canal specialist in the morning. It sounds like you might need a second opinion. Tooth pain is the worst. I hope she feels better soon.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Sounds to me like the disinfectant entered her tissues through the canal. I just got off the phone with my Dad (a dentist) and he agreed that this is the most plausible scenerio. It is probable that during the root canal the instrument that cleans out the nerve might have pierced through the root and allowed the disinfectant access to the tissues.

You do need to watch her extra careful for a reaction and make sure she has already taken a dose of antibiotics.

So sorry this happened to your daughter, please keep us updated.

ETA: if she gets worse, I would take her to the ER

 

[snowwite]

Tiggersmom2...that's what I don't understand. The Dr. came out and explicitly told my husband that the disinfectant solution had gone up the canal and onto the nerve and that he had NEVER had this happen to him....he gave us his home phone number and told us to watch her carefully for airway swelling, pain, shortness of breath, etc......my DH said the Dr. was acting fairly upset but that he (DH) just wanted to get DD out of there as she was hysterical and crying wasn't helping her swelling.....sure wish I would have taken her as I tend to be....errhhh.....a little more forward and forceful in these situations than super-sweet-but-too-nice DH. I am mildly panicked- (okay, we are getting beyond mild and into moderate) especially looking at her face- it is completely swollen and bruising on the side where the work was done........

I would go to a different doctor in a different practice. She may have an abscess or something else that needs immediate attention. Please let us know how she is doing. I hope DD is feeling better soon.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I would go to a different doctor in a different practice. She may have an abscess or something else that needs immediate attention. Please let us know how she is doing. I hope DD is feeling better soon.

Nah, an abscess would not present this way after a root canal. Something had to invade the tissue to cause swelling and bruising.....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Call an endodontist in the morning and set up an appt. pronto. The sooner you call the better off you will be since some might be booked solid.
Even get some names and call them tomorrow. Certainly get her seen before your trip if you can.

I myself am in tooth hell. My dentist did something to me and I have been to another dentist and an oral surgeon and they cannot tell me what is wrong.

My next step is to call an endodontist or the oral surgeon said a neurologist! Oh boy...

 

[lucyanna girl]

Val, I wish I could help but I don't have an answer. I can tell you this, My DD is also 14. When we left for WDW on April 2 of this year, she was having trouble with a tooth the dentist had filled and was put on an antibiotic and a pain killer. He also told me to give her over the counter pain medicine. (Aleve or Motrin) She continued to have pain and take medication our entire trip. On April 9th at 11:00 PM I rushed her to the hospital in Orlando in very serious trouble, a couple of hours later she was in surgery, massive blood loss.
If we had not gone to the hospital with such a talented medical staff she could very well have died in the night while she slept.
The doctors expected to find a bleeding ulcer from a combination of a strong antibiotic, pain medication and Aleve. They did not find one but the surgeon felt it had sealed over after the bleed. After a major surgery, (incision from her sternum to 3 inches below her belly button) and 4 units of blood she has made a great recovery. We still have to get her blood checked often and I still feel my heart in my throat every time she looks pale. Our doctor here is not sure of the diagnosis and we may never know if they were correct.
My point in retelling this story is this, In April I was in your shoes in many ways, 14 year old in pain from dental work, trip pending, and I trusted my dentist. Be very aware of the potential consequences of this combination of medication. Sarah has always been a healthy child and you would never have convinced me she could get into such trouble so quickly from medicine I was giving her. Also, know the nearest ER to where you stay at WDW and how to get there in the middle of the night. I pray you will not need it but I will never travel again without this knowledge. The hospital we used was Orlando Regional Sand Lake Hospital, it is the most out-standing hospital I have ever been to.
I hope your baby feels better soon and you have a great trip. I hope to take my baby back at Halloween to make up for our last one.

Penny

 

[Val]

lucyanna girl- thanks for the heads up.....she DOES have a rather sensitive stomach, so I will really watch for this. The Dr. just called and continues to consult with us- our good PED is not on call tonight, but the one we don't trust is....will call the regular PED in the morning for advice, too. She is still sleeping- woke her up to give her the antibiotic. Thought we might wait until she stirs to give her more vicodin.

Thanks for all the advice....we are stuck since it is afterhours (she got home at about 4:30 and most Dr's around here are on summer hours)...we WILL go to ER if we are suscipicious that anything is getting worse- and I will keep you all posted. Thanks again!

 

[lynetteSC]

no advice, but hope she is improving!

 

[MoniqueU]

Hoping she is getting better.

 

[snowwite]

Nah, an abscess would not present this way after a root canal. Something had to invade the tissue to cause swelling and bruising.....

I was not trying to provide a diagnosis just trying to say Get DD to a Physician ASAP because with my limited dental knowledge it sounds like this guy screwed up and it could be serious.

 

[Val]

Update......the Dr. put DD on steroids last night and upped the dose of antiobiotics. Em made it through the night pretty well- was uncomfortable but not in severe pain. The swelling seems to have gone down considerably this morning and she says she is sore but okay....really grumpy and back fighting with her brother which is a good sign. Will check with the PED today, but we seem to be on the upward swing towards recovery!

Thanks again for the help and hugs......she had me really scared. I am actually thankful to hear her grump and whine this morning!

 

[Sparx]

Dental hygienist here,

I have to say that I have never heard of a complication such as this. When a root canal is performed the nerve is removed leaving the tooth non-viable (or in other words dead). There should be no pain at all. I HAVE seen when air is accidentally pushed into the tissues and horrible bruising and pain results. The treatment for this is massive antibiotics and it usually takes at least a week to recover.

I had pain. I had a lot of pain. I couldn't eat solid food for almost two weeks. I don't know what happened, but it seriously hurt. and the pain didn't set in until I got home.

 

[Liz]

Val, I'm so glad to read things are looking better this morning. How awful! I hope your family has a magical trip to WDW!