Hi Manna,

I am in the dental field and can offer you some help here.

Thanks for posting the xray. Yes, you do have an infected root canaled tooth and the bacteria has spread through both roots into your jaw bone. You should be aware that this is not a new infection, it has been brewing for at least 10 years.

All teeth have many hundreds of microscopic canals called dentin tubules. These canals are NOT accessible so they are never cleaned out during a root canal procedure and antibiotics cannot kill the bacteria that lives in there. The nerve tissue inside of these canals is dead, infected tissue. This is where the spread of infection comes from and eventually ends up in the bone.

The only way to "cure" the infection is to remove the source of the infection which is the tooth. To re treat this tooth will another root canal or to have a surgery called an apicoectomy on it will not "cure" the infection because the dentin tubules will remain infected.

It is ideal to have the tooth removed asap before the bacteria spreads any further causing more bone loss. The bulging of the gum indicates a lot of inflammation. You should also be made aware that if the swelling moves to the inside near your tongue, it could close off your airway. I know that is scary, but you need to realize this is a possibility if you do not have this tooth removed soon.

It would be best to see an oral surgeon for the removal of this tooth and not a general dentist. The OS has extensive experience in removing infected root canaled teeth more so than most general dentists. The OS may want you on an antibiotic for a day or so before the extraction to reduce some of the inflammation prior to the removal. So I urge you to find one to go to as soon as you can.

Please check back and let us know how you are doing.
Bryanna