A member asked:

Severe tooth pain left side only, upper and lower. reg xray, panoramic show nothing. can an endodontist see anything different?

10 doctors weighed in across 6 answers
Dr. John Van der Werff answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Maybe: It could be the pain is not tooth related and treatment of a tooth will have no affect. I might suggest seeing an orofacial pain specialist for an evaluation.

Answered 3/18/2015

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Dr. Robert Mokbel answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Don't know: If you had large caries, or old root canals it may explain some of the symptoms, but if you have a severe crack, it could deep inside the roots and won't show on the x-rays, in this case the endodontist could help determine which tooth is causing your problems, .

Answered 10/7/2015

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See Endodontist: See endodontist to rule out infected teeth. See orthodontist to evaluate for malocclusion, clenching, grinding. See ENT to evaluate sinuses, throat. See periodontist to evaluate for gum/bone problems. You'll have to do some sleuthing.

Answered 10/7/2015

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Perhaps: Being an endodontist, if i were presented with a patient with your symptoms, besides my regular testing, i would order a cone beam ct scan. This scan shows me a 3d view of the area, and often can reveal pathology not usually seen with the regular 2d xray radiographs. Also, the endodontist has experience in seeing patients with difficult diagnostic issues, so they may have seen similar patients.

Answered 10/7/2015

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Dr. Gary Sandler answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Severe tooth pain: "severe" tooth pain is normally easily localized to a specific tooth. It's the vague and intermittent aches and pains that often become difficult to diagnose. Pain can also refer to other areas (so u\l pain). X-rays do not always show nerve inflammation or necrosis. Sometimes we have to start rct even with no radiographic justification. An endodontic consult seems like a logical next step.

Answered 10/7/2015

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Dr. Louis Gallia answered

Specializes in Surgery - Oral & Maxillofacial

Yes: Yes. Endodontists by virtue of experience, training and special imaging techniques (cone beam CT) are the best experts to assess and treat tooth pain.

Answered 10/7/2015

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