[missbeee]

Hello,

I have a root canal that started bothering me about a month ago, which is on tooth 30 on the left side. The pain - sensitivity to cold and hot- went away after a week or so and now it has come back. I haven't taken great care of this tooth as I have had it partially done for about a year and a half because of financial issues. So, I still have a temp filling. What has happened now is that my jaw on the left side is very achey and it feels like I am puckering a lot, like when you eat something sour. Also, there is irritation that spreads over my gums on the top left side that feels sort of tingly/hot. It is uncomfortable for sure. Could this all be related to an infection under the root canal?

I think I will get it pulled and am wondering how to go about that? I've read that you are supposed to get a millimeter of the jaw bone removed ect. when extracting a root canal. How do you find someone who can do it properly? I'd love any and all advice and help. It's starting to really drag me down. I appreciate any and all feedback!

[Bryanna]

Hi missbee,

I am in the dental field and can offer you some information here.
I am re post some of your thread and reply in bold type.

<<I have a root canal that started bothering me about a month ago, which is on tooth 30 on the left side.>>

A ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED ON AN UNHEALTHY TOOTH TO ALLOW A PERSON TO RETAIN IT FOR AN UNCERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. THE PROCEDURE IS NOT CAPABLE OF, OR INTENDED TO MAKE THE TOOTH WELL AGAIN. SO IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE INFECTION INSIDE OF THE TOOTH BECOMES SYMPTOMATIC.

<< The pain - sensitivity to cold and hot- went away after a week or so and now it has come back.>>

THE TEMPERATURE SENSITIVITY IS INDICATING THAT THE INFECTION HAS SPREAD BEYOND THE TOOTH. IT COMES AND GOES BECAUSE THE BACTERIA IS DRAINING FROM THE TOOTH ALLOWING SOME INTERMITTENT RELIEF.

<< I haven't taken great care of this tooth as I have had it partially done for about a year and a half because of financial issues. So, I still have a temp filling.>>

IT IS IRRELEVANT IF THE ROOT CANAL WAS COMPLETED OR NOT. ONCE A TOOTH IS INFECTED, THERE IS NO DENTAL PROCEDURE THAT CAN CURE THE INFECTION AND MAKE THAT TOOTH HEALTHY AGAIN.

<< What has happened now is that my jaw on the left side is very achey and it feels like I am puckering a lot, like when you eat something sour.>>

THE INFECTION HAS MOST LIKELY SPREAD INTO THE BONE. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT HAS LEFT THE TOOTH. IT JUST MEANS IT HAS PROLIFERATED BEYOND THE TOOTH.

<< Also, there is irritation that spreads over my gums on the top left side that feels sort of tingly/hot. It is uncomfortable for sure. Could this all be related to an infection under the root canal?>>

THE IRRITATION THAT APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE GUMS IS WHERE THE BACTERIA FROM THE INFECTION IS DRAINING. THIS INDICATES THAT THE SURROUNDING BONE OF THIS TOOTH, NOT JUST UNDERNEATH THE ROOT, IS OVERWHELMED WITH BACTERIA. THE AREA UNDERNEATH THE ROOT OF THE TOOTH USUALLY FORMS A CYST OF PUS WHICH MEANS THE THE TOOTH ITSELF IS OVERWHELMED WITH INFECTION. THE CYST IS ONLY THE RESULT OF THE INFECTION BREWING INSIDE OF THE TOOTH.

<< I think I will get it pulled and am wondering how to go about that? I've read that you are supposed to get a millimeter of the jaw bone removed ect. when extracting a root canal.>>

THE ONLY ATTEMPT AT CURING THIS INFECTION IS TO REMOVE THE SOURCE OF THE INFECTION WHICH IS THE TOOTH. AN EXTRACTION OF THIS TOOTH, AS WITH ANY OTHER TOOTH, REQUIRES THAT THE TOOTH BE REMOVED IN ITS ENTIRETY ALONG WITH THE PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT AND ALL OTHER DISEASED TISSUE AND BONE. THAT MAY MEAN REMOVING A MILLIMETER OR MORE OF BONE. THE IDEA IS TO REMOVE ALL VISIBLE SIGNS OF DISEASE.

<< How do you find someone who can do it properly?>>

YOU WOULD BE WISE TO SEE AN ORAL SURGEON FOR THIS EXTRACTION. AS PART OF BEING YOUR OWN ADVOCATE, IT IS WISE TO TELL THE SURGEON THAT YOU EXPECT THE TOOTH, THE LIGAMENT AND ALL DISEASED TISSUE AND BONE TO BE REMOVED. ALL DENTISTS, INCLUDING ORAL SURGEONS, ARE TAUGHT TO PERFORM EXTRACTIONS IN THAT MANNER. HOWEVER, MANY OF THEM DO NOT DO THAT ROUTINELY AND ONCE REMINDED BY THE PATIENT, THEY TEND TO BE MORE INCLINED TO FOLLOW THE PROTOCOL.

<< I'd love any and all advice and help. It's starting to really drag me down. I appreciate any and all feedback!>>

THIS INFECTION IS SERIOUS FOR MANY REASONS. ONE OF WHICH IS THAT THE TOOTH HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF CHRONIC INFECTION FROM THE TIME IT WAS ROOT CANALED IF NOT BEFORE. THE INFECTION CAN SPREAD TO OTHER TEETH AND THE BACTERIA IS ALSO FILTERING THROUGH YOUR BLOOD STREAM WHICH CAN CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO A SYSTEMIC INFECTION ELSEWHERE IN YOUR BODY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT ANYTIME A LOWER MOLAR IS INFECTED, THERE IS A CHANCE THAT IT WILL SWELL UP AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CLOSE OFF YOUR AIRWAY. SO IT IS NOT SOMETHING TO PUT OFF TAKING CARE OF.

I hope this information was helpful. The sooner you take care of this, the better you will be. Please let us know how things are going.