I have just found this forum; thank you.

I have a long story. (Of course, everyone has a story, lol! )

I am not looking for a diagnosis, but maybe a confirmation of what might be causing my current situation, and also some possible options.

I won't post the entire story initially; I don't want to presume on Bryanna or others and their helpful advice. But if this sounds like something that anyone can help with, I would be glad to post more info and answer any questions.

I had 2 old root canals, in both front top teeth. (#8 and 9, I believe.) #9 was when I was 10 years old and developed a painful abscess on the tooth, that had been chipped and not repaired three years earlier. #8 root canal was a few years later, no abscess, another chipped tooth.

Had flare ups and abscesses on #9 (if that is the tooth on my left side) when I was 40, then again at 42, then again at 45. The first time I had a dental procedure to drain the abscess - I don't think this was an apicoectomy, but it was a re-treatment. Second time was the apico.

Third flare up was now 3 years ago - I had started to feel the same symptoms as I had the two previous times: tenderness, swelling, sensitive to heat and cold, low grade fever and constant headache. I researched my options and did not want another apico or re-treatment. Decided to have both root canal teeth removed and dental implants.

There was a bacteria-filled "sac" at the root of #9 when they removed the tooth. Implants were placed at the time of the extraction. All seemed to heal properly over the next several months and I got the crowns at about 6 months.

I have now been experiencing the SAME symptoms as the other three times of the infections at tooth #9. I didn't recognize the symptoms at first, (too many details to list at the moment, but I can elaborate further if necessary). The initial symptoms I focused on were (I believe) secondary to what may actually be going on. I now have the constant headache and sinus pain, low grade fever and general feeling of unwell. I don't have much tenderness when pressing or tapping the crowns, however. But the left side of my face, nose, temples, and jaw are constantly aching now. I had swollen lymph glands along my jaw a few weeks ago that were very painful. I also have had multiple cold sores on my face in just a few weeks, and in odd places that I have never had them before.

I usually get 4-6 cold sores a year, and now I have had severe outbreaks, at least 6-8, in just the last month. That was what I was focused on, initially, until I realized that the virus might be secondary to a deeper infection.

I have an appointment with general physician next week, (to deal with the secondary issues, of the cold sore outbreaks and general fatigue, etc.) and then an appointment with the oral surgeon who performed the extractions and implants 3 years ago.

My implants do not feel loose at all, and last year when I asked my regular dentist about some mild symptoms, the x-rays showed that the implants were setting well in the bone, etc.

So what could this be? And what might happen? I don't necessarily want the implants removed unless that is causing the infection? Could the infection be in the bone/jaw from the old root canaled tooth, all these years later? How can it be treated, if that is the case?

Thank you for any replies and advice. Please ask questions if needed for clarification.