Will a dentist ever do a root canal without a filling?

I've had 3 root canals in the past at two different dentist's offices. All 3 times, I went in for the root canal and left with a root canal and a rough silver "amalgam" filling. About 2 or 3 weeks later, I went back in for a crown.





Now for my question: this time, at a new dentist's office, I had a root canal yesterday. My tooth has no filling- just a hollowed out tooth. I am concerned because my past root canals have not hurt this much after the fact. I've never before needed pain medication and this time, I am taking the hydrocodone the dentist prescribed me. My entire jaw is aching. I can't call my dentist because they're closed until Tuesday (Memorial Day holiday). I'm starting to wonder if I did have a filling and maybe it fell out? So, I'd like to ask... do dentists ever do root canals without doing a filling at the same time? I am in agony here, and I have a very high pain threshold.

Will a dentist ever do a root canal without a filling?
no way! it should always be filled, they wouldn't leave it out! call your dentist, they should have an emergency service!
Reply:no, thats not normal. they have to put a temporary filling in to protect the tooth thats left. that could lead to infection fast so i would call the office. they will have to have someone on call and they can help you from there. hope that helps, good luck!
Reply:That doesn't sound right to me. I have always had a root canal done and then they use the filling and then put on the temporary crown and then I come back a week or two later for the permanant crown. They don't like to leave the tooth open like that because it exposes your tooth to infection. Try to keep it clean as possible and don't eat on that side at all until you can call the doctor. If you are in that much pain then something is wrong. Are there any dentists around that are open for emergencies? Most dentists have an emrgency number. If you call after hours they will usually give you an emergency number. Atleast this has been the case with all of mine in the past. I hope you can get it taken care of soon.
Reply:No dentist's are supposed to put a temporary filling in because the canal is open from removing the nerve in the tooth. Infections will happen due to not having a temp filling in your tooth. I know it is a Holiday weekend but the dentist who you had your root canal done should never have left it open as when you eat food will get int he tooth and cause an infection. I hope and pray you feel better but you might need an antibiotic because you might have an infection. Call and leave a message that you are in pain and your jaw is aching badly. He might call you even though it is a Holiday. He might realize he made a mistake not using a temp filling.
Reply:No, dentists will not do root canals and leave them open like that, that's a NO NO! it must be filled with something.


As far as the pain goes, sometimes it hurts sometimes it doesn't usually the anterior teeth don't hurt, and the posterior teeth hurt more in general (not always).


Please try to keep it clean ( i know it's hard), i would still call %26amp; leave a message, most dentists assign an assistant for emergencies like this, maybe she can put in a temporary filling.


Also, sometimes tylenol extra strength, or motrin IB might help with the pain. Hope this helps.