topic Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH in Wellness

INFECTION IN TOOTH

kismet — Thu, 19 May 2016 07:09:03 GMT

LAST WEEK I NOTICED I COULDN'T PUT PRESSURE ON A TOOTH. YESTERDAY I WENT TO THE DENTIST AND I HAVE AN INFECTION IN A CROWNED TOOTH. I SAW THE ENDODONTIST TODAY AND WE WENT OVER THE ROOT CANAL, WHICH I'VE HAD BEFORE ON OTHER TEETH, SO I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT.

THE XRAY SHOWED THAT I HAVE AN INFECTION ALSO ON THE TOOTH NEXT TO IT WHICH IS POSTED AND CROWNED. SO I HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO HAVE THE TOOTH CLEANED OUT THROUGH THE GUM AREA WHICH WOULD BE CUT AND CLEANED OR FOR HER TO GO THROUGH THE BACK OF THE CROWN. THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH. WE TALKED ABOUT IT AND SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SHE MAY FIND WHEN SHE GOES IN SO CAN'T SAY WHICH WAY WHICH WOULD BE BETTER. ANOTHER CHOICE IS TO JUST HAVE THE TOOTH PULLED AND GET AN IMPLANT. IT'S A FRONT TOOTH WITH GREAT LOOKING CROWNS ON SO I REALLY DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE TOOTH. HAS ANYONE HAD AN INFECTED POSTED CROWN CLEANED FOR AN INFECTION AND IF YOU HAVE CAN YOU GIVE ME YOUR RESULTS AND THE PROCEDURE YOU CHOSE.

I DID HAVE THE CUT IN THE GUM AREA PROCEDURE DONE YEARS AGO BUT THE TOOTH DIDN'T HAVE A POST IN IT, JUST AN INFECTION AND IT HAS BEEN FINE FOR MANY YEARS. RIGHT NOW I JUST DON'T KNOW ENOUGH TO MAKE A DECISION WHICH WAY I SHOULD GO. I WENT IN KNOWING I NEEEDED ONE ROOT CANAL WHICH IS PRETTY SIMPLE BUT THEN TOLD ABOUT THE OTHER TOOTH. I ALSO ASKED IF THIS WAS FROM FLOSSING AND COULD I HAVE GOTTEN BACTERIA IN IT THAT WAY. I WAS TOLD BY MY DENTIST AND THE SPECIALIST THAT IT WASN'T FROM FLOSSING.

THANKS.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

kismet — Thu, 19 May 2016 07:23:04 GMT

SORRY THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN WELLNESS. HOPEFULLY I CAN MOVE IT. MY COMPUTER IS GIVING ME A HARD TIME TONGHT.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

Big Sister — Thu, 19 May 2016 07:24:58 GMT

@kismet, hello. I hope you would have other options such as taking antibiotic pills or having the tiny antibiotic inserts put in at the gum line.

I have had that done and it was no big deal.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

dreamieLil — Thu, 19 May 2016 07:28:44 GMT

@kismet,

You can ask the Moderators to move your thread for you.

Hope you get a good answer for your tooth.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

kismet — Thu, 19 May 2016 07:33:20 GMT

Both dentists said antibiotics wouldn't work for the infection. From the xray it looks like it's at the top of the tooth. I get the easier root canal done next Thursday and and I'll ask the dentist if they could do that but I would think she would of said something. It would be so easy to have that done. I don't mind having the surgery through the gum area, although it will be sore with stitches in it and I don't have dental insurance, but I would like to save the tooth. I usually go by my gut feeling on things but so far it's not speaking to me. Bummer.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

qualitygal — Thu, 19 May 2016 09:11:32 GMT

@kismet, she touched on "I don't know what I might find". Ask her to further explain what that might be and then if so, what would have to be done. I hate when 1 procedure turns into 2, if only I'd known the right questions to ask the first time. So JMHO, but I'd find that out, it's like a hole was left out of what she was telling you. Find that one out before she does anything else.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

IMW — Thu, 19 May 2016 09:34:38 GMT

So very sorry re your teeth. Although I have not had your specific problem I have had root canals done through crowns and infected crowned teeth, abscesses that were above the teeth.

The skill of the dentist is paramount. Antibiotics are used in conjunction with the dental work.

One possibility is getting a second opinion, another endontist.

I have an implant and it is the best tooth in my mouth, no problems, but the gum could still become infected.

i use an electric toothbrush and Prevident toothpaste, rx necessary. This has helped somewhat with dental issues.

Hope all turns out well, please keep us informed.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

drizzellla — Sat, 21 May 2016 12:02:51 GMT

Not sure what to say. I had an infection in a tooth. Unfortunately, the Dentist "worked" on the wrong tooth. So I ended up getting both teeth pulled. I never went back to him and wished I did not go to him in the first place.

But I am surprised they aren't trying to help tooth #2 with antibiotics.

I am of the opinion that since root canal will "fail" over time that implants are the way to go. When I first got crowns and root canals - I thought that was the end. HA! I am now getting implants in all the teeth I once had root canals. It wasn't until later I was told I coud expect root canals and crowns to last about 15 years. Since it is a front tooth maybe it is worth the investment to get an imlant and then you won't have to deal with it later.

I think afer talking to the Dentist and Endodonist they will probably recommend the best course to take to deal with the infection. Please keep us posted.

PS _ I spent 2 hours in the Dentist chair yesterday. I am a frequent visitor.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

Serenity-Now — Thu, 19 May 2016 11:07:37 GMT

I think that's great advice, @qualitygal. I'd like to add to that by suggesting that the OP leave a call in for her dentist to return her call after asking those Q's, stating that she wants to have her choice ready when she arrives for her appointment, by having enough time to weigh her options before then.

Also, @kismet, I wouldn't assume that the dentist just didn't mention the easier antibiotic remedy (that another person suggested) just because it won't work. Unfortunately, many times they chose the remedies that will give them the most profit. Hopefully your dentist isn't like that, but I've been to more than one that made that choice before--always safe to ask, so at least you have a better idea of the entire picture. Good luck, I hope it works out well for you.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

panda1234 — Thu, 19 May 2016 11:12:56 GMT

@drizzellla wrote:
Not sure what to say. I had an infection in a tooth. Unfortunately, the Dentist "worked" on the wrong tooth. So I ended up getting both teeth pulled. I never went back to him and wished I did not go to him in the first place.

But I am surprised they aren't trying to help tooth #2 with antibiotics.

I am of the opinion that since root canal will "fail" over time that implants are the way to go. When I first got crowns and root canals - I thought that was the end. HA! I am not getting implants in all the teeh I once had root canals. It wasn't until later I was told I coud expect root canals and crowns to last about 15 years. Since it is a front tooth mybe it is worth the investment to get an imlant and then you won't have to deal with in later.

I think afer talking to the Dentist and Endodonist they will probably recommend the best course to take to deal with the infection. Please keep us posted.

PS _ I spent 2 hours in the Dentist chair yesterday. I am a frequent visitor.

I feel your pain....physical and $$$$$.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

missy1 — Thu, 19 May 2016 11:18:13 GMT

I would get a second opinion. This could be costly, and things you may not need to have done. I wish you well.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

jlkz — Thu, 19 May 2016 11:39:43 GMT

@panda1234 wrote:
@drizzellla wrote:
Not sure what to say. I had an infection in a tooth. Unfortunately, the Dentist "worked" on the wrong tooth. So I ended up getting both teeth pulled. I never went back to him and wished I did not go to him in the first place.

But I am surprised they aren't trying to help tooth #2 with antibiotics.

I am of the opinion that since root canal will "fail" over time that implants are the way to go. When I first got crowns and root canals - I thought that was the end. HA! I am not getting implants in all the teeh I once had root canals. It wasn't until later I was told I coud expect root canals and crowns to last about 15 years. Since it is a front tooth mybe it is worth the investment to get an imlant and then you won't have to deal with in later.

I think afer talking to the Dentist and Endodonist they will probably recommend the best course to take to deal with the infection. Please keep us posted.

PS _ I spent 2 hours in the Dentist chair yesterday. I am a frequent visitor.
I feel your pain....physical and $$$$$.

I have had many root canals and crowns since I was 22: I am now 71, so they can last longer than 15 years !!!!

I have three implants over the last 10 years.

After so many hours and $, they see all doing fine. I use a Waterpik with a dental rinse mixed in the water reservoir. Finally good hygiene visits.

Good luck with your teeth and dental visits.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

SeaMaiden — Thu, 19 May 2016 12:44:09 GMT

Can not give you an answer... but I feel for you. Hope whatever the process is to fix the problem goes well. I have nothing but problems with my teeth anymore. Each day I just give thanks if they do not hurt.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

PamfromCT — Thu, 19 May 2016 14:44:58 GMT

I am sure you will make the right decision for you.

I think that crowns certainly should last for more than 15 years. If you can go this route successfully, I would. Implants are wonderful - I have one and DH has two - but it is a long process and very, very expensive. And with dental insurance, no less.

Whenever you take an antibiotic, please consider taking a Probiotic. It will help you keep a healthy gut while your antibiotic works. In fact, I take a Probiotic every day.

I won't bore you with my dental sagas. And, yes, it does happen to many who take good care of our teeth. I wish you all the best of luck! Life will be normal again!

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

wagirl — Thu, 19 May 2016 14:46:00 GMT

First off--so sorry about your teeth!! I have had nothing but issues with my teeth since I was on chemo 4 years ago!! Before that the chompers were just fine----grrrr!!

I guess you could go for another opinion. But if you trust your dentists then they should steer you to the right path. My issue is that I only have $2000 max for everything per year with my dental ins, so money would be a huge factor for me. and it sounds like all you have to have done would be way more than that. talk to both of them again if you can and have them BOTH figure out the best plan for you. Remember--you are the boss and what you say goes!!! No reason why these drs can't come up with something together for your greater good!!

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

JavaQueen — Thu, 19 May 2016 14:50:41 GMT

Wow. OP.

So sorry to hear this. I am a veteran of the "tooth wars," so I empathasize. Get a second opinion. Some endodontists are more current on treatments. It also depends on where they trained.

Regarding the longevity of root canals/crowns. I have had some fail after 5 years! Which is horrible. (Some of them were done at a dental school and not much cheaper.) On the other hand, I have had people tell me that their work lasted 30 years. Some of this is luck and genetics. implants and bone grafts fail. I spent $2K trying to do a retreat, only to have it extracted by an oral surgeon two years later.

Sometimes they really have no clue and they are assuming that a procedure is typical. At least she was being honest. Sometimes they just see dollar signs and don't tell you.

Good luck.

Let us know what happens.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

Caligurll — Thu, 19 May 2016 15:34:50 GMT

I recently experienced the same thing with a infection on my front tooth that had an old root canal. The root canal was over 35 years old. The first thing my dentist did was to give me a prescription for antibiotics then a referral to an endodontist, who was able to remove the old post, which had corroded because it was made from silver, then back to my dentist for a crown.

Both my dentist and the endodontist stressed the importance of taking the antibiotics.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

RedTop — Thu, 19 May 2016 16:06:12 GMT

Been there, done this in the 90's, and my choice was to clean out the infection through oral surgery on the gum. This type of infection destroys the bone if not treated correctly. Best wishes with whatever you decide.

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

shaggygirl — Thu, 19 May 2016 16:39:17 GMT

Well I too just found out within the past hour that I have some major decisions to make regarding tooth issues. Had my semi-annual cleaning and was due for x-rays. Would you believe 18 X-Rays! Different way they do it now, digitally my hygenist said and no danger but that's neither here nor there. Problem is decay under two different permanent bridges combined with bone loss and receeding gums ........ well it's too much for me to deal with the various options the dentist went over with me right now. I just want to forget about it for awhile. He's giving me a little time to ponder it all and the next step is that I got set up for a consultation to go over the options much more thoroughly and make a decision about the best route to take. I thought at this stage of my life I was done with any major dental c**pola. I need a good stiff drink!

Re: INFECTION IN TOOTH

missy1 — Fri, 20 May 2016 00:54:27 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
First off--so sorry about your teeth!! I have had nothing but issues with my teeth since I was on chemo 4 years ago!! Before that the chompers were just fine----grrrr!!

I guess you could go for another opinion. But if you trust your dentists then they should steer you to the right path. My issue is that I only have $2000 max for everything per year with my dental ins, so money would be a huge factor for me. and it sounds like all you have to have done would be way more than that. talk to both of them again if you can and have them BOTH figure out the best plan for you. Remember--you are the boss and what you say goes!!! No reason why these drs can't come up with something together for your greater good!!

Many like myself have no dental insurnce, so I have to get them taken out. Do I pay $2000 + for a crown/ root ****** OR $300 to get it out? It's an easy choice.

EDIT: That's weird the Q crossed out my word. lol