Originally Posted by Bryanna

Hi tyndi,

Root canal therapy does not cure an infected tooth. It is done to allow the patient to retain their tooth for an undetermined amount of time. It is inevitable that the tooth will need to be removed at some point. When a dentist tells a patient that root canal will "save" their tooth it does not mean cure it means retain or keep.

The ENT has already confirmed that the sinus may be involved. This is typical of what happens with upper teeth that are root canaled as the infection spreads beyond the tooth. Re treating the tooth will not cure the infection inside of the tiny canals that cannot be cleaned out. Therefore the infection will continue to invade the sinuses. Not to frighten you but to inform you..... your brain is only about 4 inches from the root of this tooth. It is possible for the infection to spread to that area also.

The only way to cure the infection and try to eradicate it from the sinus is to remove the tooth. Anything else is just putting a band aid on a potentially serious infection.

You mentioned two other things.... one a post and two a fracture. It is common for a post to perforate a fragile root canaled tooth causing the tooth to fracture. This issue in of itself is a source of infection.

The antibiotic will temporarily subside the symptoms because it reduces the inflammation but it will not cure the problem. It is best to have this tooth removed while you are on the antibiotic. It is best to have an oral surgeon remove this tooth and clean out the infection rather than a general dentist.

I hope this information is helpful to you.
Bryanna