Help with tooth abcess

ceribabe

Hello all. I wonder if anyone can help me by giving some advice?

I am pregnant and have an abcess in my top front tooth, it is very painful. I am also hysterically terrified of the dentists.

Three weeks ago, after a course of antibiotics (Erythromycin), I had half the root canal done but felt horrible shooting pains throughout the procedure - it felt like torture, I am not exagerrating but feel like my dentist thought I was just being hysterical - it was sooooo painful, liek electric shocks. I was crying on the dentist chair and shrieking with pain-the dentist said that after the injection it would be a pain free procedure - but it wasn't. She didn't finish the root canal after this episode and put a temp filling on.

Now the abcess is back, throbbing and sore, sleepless nights. I am back on the antibiotics (the same as before) but they don't seem to be working very well. After three days on the pills, my whole mouth is still swollen, lips are splitting due to the swelling, my nose is tight and I can feel bubbly things on the roof of my mouth and above my tooth at the gum. It is just awful.

I am so afraid of going back to the dentist as she said it wouldn't hurt but it was so awful - I deffo prefer childbirth!

As I am pregnant, the dentist can't give me vallium or put me to sleep. Baby not sue until 20th Sept. I am so afraid of going back after my last experience, I have had nightmares and when I think about it I get all tense and short of breath - I do not think it is good for my baby. I am at my wits end and just do not know what to do or how to deal with this situation.

Can anyone tell me any kind words?

Can anyone tell me why the "painless" root canal - hurt so much???

What is the best course of action for me? Thanks so much for any help!

Big_G

A couple of questions:
1) Why erythromycin? Are you allergic to penicillin?
2) How long has this abcess been present?

Root canal is a painless procedure. The only rare occasion where I have trouble with painful root canal treatment is when the patient has a hyperaemic pulp which is not that common, and is sorted with an intrapulpal injection which is an injection directly into the nerve. It hurts for about 1 second and then it is over. No more pain.

My suggestion is this, if you are not allergic to penicillin, no more erythromycin. Articaine for anaesthesia for the root canal treatment, valium is not necessary, although if you are nervous, it can make anaesthesia more difficult. In other words, the more nervous you are, the more likely you are to feel pain. The is a theory called nocebo (the opposite of placebo) where if you think something is going to be painful, it actually makes it more painful than it ordinarily would be. Interestingly, diazepam (valium) works partially by placebo, which is that you must know that you are receiving valium and believe that it is going to work, otherwise it won't. Several studies have proven this.

Anyway, I digress. Just try as much as possible to relax before the procedure. You may need to try a specialist in order to get the tooth properly numb before attempting root canal therapy. All of these things may be easier to do after you deliver although that is a long way away. You really should try and have this treatment completed before the end of the second trimester if possible.

ceribabe

I am so grateful that you have taken the time to read about my problem and respond so thoroughly. Thank you very much!
I have just returned from the 24 hr doctor and he has upgraded me to penicillin! So hopefully I will be better soon-I will print off this discussion and give it to my dentist - hopefully she will not be offended!!!

ceribabe

Just to say that this abcess first occurred about a month ago and has returned after about 3 pain free weeks.

thesultan

A few questions myself on an abcess. I had a a filling that had an abcess under it. The dentist opened up the filling and drained the abcess ( well most of it) . I could barely breath the following day and my jaw was sore out. My jaw is huge now and I'm like the Elephant man. I am taking Pinaclav and was wondering how long before I get a standard looking face. The push out the effection only came out this morning at half five and I vomitted about nine or so. I haven't slept for three or four days. I am waiting to get a root canel but I must get rid of the infection first

ceribabe

That sounds so nasty, the antibiotic should not take long to kick in, sounds like you could do with another draining, good luck

thesultan

I'm getting a root canel on Wednesday. Hope to christ it fixes it then , I'm in a bad way.

ceribabe

I do sympathise, it is the worst pain ever, I do prefer childbirth and I had a nasty forceps delivery with my little one!!!!

The root canal will not hurt - my advice - do not be afraid to ask for extra pain relief.

I do hope you feel better - a few codeine painkillers would not go amiss either to help you sleep!!! I also found that swirling a good drop of whiskey round the mouth numbed the pain for a quick relief! (Neither of these recommended for pregnanct women but it was a means to an end!!!)

Good luck my friend!

thesultan

Thanks for the help. I actually slept for the first time in few days last night although I had to change beds because of the sweet from the fever.
The smell off the puss is awful .