Hi netdude,

I figured this was what your dentist was going to recommend but I was hoping he wouldn't have. Your situation is not at all unusual in that you are getting repeated doses of antibiotics which can only temporarily reduce the inflammation; retreatment of the same tooth with a "special" (bogus) medication that does nothing to permanently kill off any of the bacteria and they might as well root canal tooth #3 because then they can sell you a new three unit bridge that will be anchored by two chronically infected teeth. The integrity of your existing bridge has already been compromised by drilling through it to do the root canal on #5... drilling through it again to do #3 will only compromise it further. The lifespan of these teeth and the new bridge is minimal if that. I will take this further by telling you that when you continue to have pain, swelling, and develop sinus issues.... etc.... you will be told that you need to have both teeth retreated and another new bridge. Your dentist will put this additional treatment off as long as he and you can.......

An apicoectomy is a a surgical procedure in which they flap back a large portion of the gum tissue above the tooth; cut or drill a <window> into the jawbone; cut off the apex (tip of the root) all in an effort to gain access from the root of the tooth down. Small files are used to debride the visible portions of the inside of the tooth leaving the microscopic canals loaded with bacteria just as in the traditional root canal procedure. The large canals and root opening are somewhat sealed with a rubberized material containing barium and the hole in the jawbone is plugged with a chunk of mercury filling material. This procedure does absolutely nothing to eliminate the infection that is lodged inside the tiny canals. Because of the injury to the jawbone, the irritation from the mercury and the proliferating bacteria from the tooth, this procedure will cause extensive bone deterioration jeopardizing the likelihood of placing a successful implant in the future. It would also compromise the fit of a removable partial denture due to the loss of the bony ridge that is needed to hold the appliance in comfortably. I'm pretty sure your dentist will not openly inform you of any of these things. So... ask him about all of these things and hopefully he will be truthful with you and not diminish or misconstrue the reality of this procedure.

If this were me, I would be very concerned about the systemic consequences associated with infected teeth and the sinus issues that can easily occur from proliferated infection from upper teeth.

I hope you are able to become well informed, not just by me, but by your dentist so that you can make a knowledgeable decision that you feel is in your best interest.

Please do keep us posted...
Bryanna