Abscess

dylbert

Is it unusual for an abscess to return on a tooth that has had root canal treatment?
I got it done about 15 months ago and woke up last night in allot of pain. Going to see if I can get to my dentist today. Don't think I can afford another root canal so might have to lose the tooth

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Root canal treatment can fail and infection can reappear. Only a clinical examination will show whats going on. It could also be another tooth in the area.

dylbert

Patricia Shrilling Pizza wrote: »

Root canal treatment can fail and infection can reappear. Only a clinical examination will show whats going on. It could also be another tooth in the area.

Just back from the dentist, it's infected, on antibiotics for 5 days.

Oral Surgeon

dylbert wrote: »

Just back from the dentist, it's infected, on antibiotics for 5 days.

That's short term treatment. You need a redo root canal or extraction, most likely....

dylbert

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

That's short term treatment. You need a redo root canal or extraction, most likely....

Oh I know, trying to decide what to do

tooth_doc

dylbert wrote: »

Oh I know, trying to decide what to do

did the dentist take an xray and confirmed the problem is actually on the root canalled tooth? did you have a crown on this tooth after your root canal15/12 ago?

root canals fail by 1) all the canals in the tooth not being adequately cleaned 2) could have missed a minute canal 3) leakage from the mouth bacteria into the canal system ( especially if there isnt a well fitting restoration/crown on the tooth )

dylbert

tooth_doc wrote: »

did the dentist take an xray and confirmed the problem is actually on the root canalled tooth? did you have a crown on this tooth after your root canal15/12 ago?

root canals fail by 1) all the canals in the tooth not being adequately cleaned 2) could have missed a minute canal 3) leakage from the mouth bacteria into the canal system ( especially if there isnt a well fitting restoration/crown on the tooth )

Yes, the dentist took an xray, it's the same tooth. The root canal was actually done in July 2012 so nearly 2 years. I didn't get a crown, the tooth in question is a second molar, my dentist advised me that I'd need a crown eventually but should be OK for the time being. I had my yearly check up only last month and there was no sign of any problems.

I think the problems might be a result of my wisdom tooth extraction? I think remember the oral surgeon telling me that the tooth might be at risk because of bone loss and receding gum.

I have another appointment today, I'll see what the dentist says but to be honest I'll just have it extracted.

dylbert

Just out from the appointment with the dentist who originally done the root canal. He can't find anything wrong with the tooth, he took an X-ray and there's no sign of an abscess, he gave me his mobile number and told me to call if the pain returns. Could the antibiotics have worked and left no trace of an abscess. I'm not sure what to do, fell like I'm sitting on a time bomb if I do nothing.

tooth_doc

dylbert wrote: »

Just out from the appointment with the dentist who originally done the root canal. He can't find anything wrong with the tooth, he took an X-ray and there's no sign of an abscess, he gave me his mobile number and told me to call if the pain returns. Could the antibiotics have worked and left no trace of an abscess. I'm not sure what to do, fell like I'm sitting on a time bomb if I do nothing.

i would suggest you wait a bit, losing the tooth is easy but the replacement and the consequences are much more complicated and costly, might be even worth considering redoing the root canal and this time get a well fitting crown on top assisted by a fibre post in the root canal as well