Hi MollyW,
I am in the dental field and can offer you some information here.
You asked...Would it be crazy to think maybe it's all due to these two teeth?? And if so, what do I do???
My reply...
No, it's not crazy at all. When a tooth becomes infected and/or the nerve dies allowing bacteria to grow inside of the tooth... a root canal is done. The only reason this procedure is done is to give the patient an opportunity to "retain" the tooth. One of the (many) downsides to root canal therapy which is often not shared with the patient is that it cannot "cure" the infection and does not make the tooth healthy again. Because the microscopic canals (called dentin tubules) are not accessible, they will continue to harbor dead infected nerve tissue rendering the tooth chronically infected. The only purpose for the root canal is to "buy some time" until the tooth is eventually is removed.
There are MANY problems associated with "buying some time" with infected teeth.....
But the most important one is the fact that it is never healthy to retain an infected tooth simply because the infection can easily become systemic. It can and will spread to the jaw bone, to the adjacent teeth, to the sinuses, and possibly to any other organ in the body including the brain.
Let's put the pieces of this dental history together....
...These two teeth are located in your upper right maxilla. They are posterior teeth which means their root system is located very close to your sinus or directly in communication with your sinus making it easy for the infection to spread there.
...The root canaled tooth has been sick for at least a year or longer. The fractured one may also have become infected from the spread of the other infection and/or depending on the location, depth and opening of the fracture bacteria may be getting into that tooth causing an infection.
...You have a history of sharp pain, unable to eat, facial/sinus pain all on the right side.
...The ENT diagnosis' a cyst in the right maxilla. That was surgically removed and has temporarily subsided the pain that you were having from that cyst. However, root canal teeth typically grow cysts at the end of the tooth as the bacteria proliferates beyond the tooth. So another is likely to grow there. I am surprised that the ENT did not discuss this RC tooth with you...??
...You have not been feeling well... MRI shows white matter... yet auto immune testing is negative. All of these signs are indicating systemic infection.
The only true way to "cure" an infected tooth is to have it removed because the tooth is the source of the chronic infection. Keeping (retaining) the tooth means keeping the infection. In your case, you may still need to deal with a systemic problem even after the infected teeth are removed.
It is best to see an "oral surgeon" for the extraction(s) and inform him that you want the periodontal ligament and all necrotic tissue and bone to be removed at the time of the extraction. This procedure is suppose to be done with ALL tooth extractions.... unfortunately it is not. So it is up to the patient to be their own advocate and inform the OS that they want a thorough debridement of the bone when the tooth is removed..... just like the OS would tell his colleague if he were the patient
Also, just in case your dentist tries to tell you that crowning these teeth will benefit you..... not so. A crown simply covers the portion of the tooth that is visible at the gum line. That is not where your infection or inflammation is located and crowns will have no positive affect on the problem.
I am very sorry to deliver this news to you. I know it can be scary and disheartening to hear. I can see that you have already been through a lot with these teeth... not to mention the expense. If you don't want to google randomly, then google Dr Mercola and root canals.....or Dr George Meinig and root canals for logical, factual and specific information.
Don't be afraid to research those sites. They will clarify a lot of your concerns and help you become better informed so you can get the help you need. Please check back and let us know how you are doing.
Bryanna