Hi Hoover,

Infected teeth can cause or contribute to other infections anyplace in the body. Each person is unique in how there immune system deals with chronic infection. Some people will become ill sooner than others.... some illnesses can be more severe than others.

If you have any other root canaled or infected teeth.... or untreated periodontal disease then it would behoove you to have a comprehensive dental examination and full mouth x-rays. Keep in mind that there is no dental procedure that can cure an infected tooth.... which means all root canaled teeth are a chronic source of bacterial infection.

I hope you start to feel better soon.

Bryanna




QUOTE=Hoover1979;1059552]my dentist removed my infected root canal tooth last night. it was a horrible experience that took over an hour to complete as the tooth got pulled piece by piece. I also got diagnosed with a double lung infection several days ago. could the lung infection have stemmed from the infected tooth??[/QUOTE]

Hi...

Your forum is incredible! Thank you so much for making it available to people like me.

I am currently sitting in my hospital bed with right sided facial Cellulitis. It was extremely aggressive but fortunately it did not enter the orbit of my rt eye which was confirmed by a CT scan. Through the CT scan, the doc also ruled out a sinus infection being the cause of the cellulitis and after speaking with an EMT doc today, have a feeling this is due to a root canal gone bad.. After a few days of IV antibiotics I am looking forward to going home tomorrow (YEA!!) but am now looking for clarity as to what to do next and am hoping you can help. Let's rewind back 8 months...

I sought out dental care for my rt back molar due to extreme pain. There was no ulcer on my gum but the dentist advised me that I had a "pretty bad" infection in the bone beneath the infected molar. Due to my health condition (Fibromyalgia) and a compromised immune system, I questioned if the tooth was even worth saving. Additionally, being disabled, my finances were/are horrible which I shared since the cost of the root canal and crown exceeded 2,000. Because I am missing the molar before the infected one, I was filled with horror stories as to why I should keep the tooth, so being fear stricken, I signed the paperwork for Carecredit and opted for the root canal.

Because the infection was in the bone, the dentist prescribed a round of antibiotics. After I finished taking them and returned for treatment I told the dentist that the tooth was still really sensitive. He said it must still be infected and prescribed another round
of antibiotic, a really strong one. After completing the 2nd dose of antibiotic the tooth and jaw were still sensitive, but he said it would be fine. I again asked if he felt this would be successful given the infection and he assured me it would.

I have had root canals in the past without complication so trusted his medical opinion even though my gut told me otherwise.

The root canal itself was horrible and after it was all done, with crown in place, he said it would take some time before the sensitivity in the tooth would go away.

Fast forward two months after the completed root canal on rt back molar. The entire right side of my face blew up, was red, hot and extremely painful. This is the firsttime I was diagnosed with facial cellulitis and was treated with oral antibiotics by my family doc.

A couple of months later I went to see another dentist (one I was more familiar with) for a different tooth and asked him to take a look at the rt back root canal molar because it was still pretty sensitive. After taking the xray he asked me if I was aware that there was a piece of file in my tooth. No, the other dentist never told me that.

4 months later here I am with the cellulitis again. The obvious solution is to get the tooth pulled. Can I ever know for certain if it is the tooth causing the multiple infections in my face? Additionally, can there still be infection in the bone that needs to be addressed and, if so, how is this done? And, what about the dentist that did this? Can I do anything legally? As you can imagine, this whole experience has been horrible, except for the wonderful people that have been taking care of me here at the hospital.

Any input you can provide would be really appreciated. Lol, and yes I know, I should have listened to my gut.

Many thanks.

Susan

Hi Susan,

I am so sorry you are going through this!

I've read your story and can simplify the facts for you.....

All root canaled teeth are chronically infected. So it is not a question of the root canal having gone bad or the broken instrument being left inside of the tooth that caused the problems you are having. It is the longevity of the infection that has caused the bacteria to become widespread. Some people have the ability to fight infection better than others but that does not mean the infection goes away for anyone. The more severe the infection the more compromised your immune system will become.

It is without question that to keep this tooth means to keep the infection and you will continue to become ill with cellulitis. So it is imperative to have this tooth removed asap by an oral surgeon who will debride the bone very thoroughly of all visible disease. You may also need to be on long term antibiotics either orally or via IV.

****** It would behoove you to have a complete dental evaluation asap and consider removing teeth that are root canaled or infected. Here's why....... every single chronic infection in your mouth is going to compromise the healing of the removal of this badly infected tooth and inhibit or delay your recovery from the cellulitis. I know finances are an issue but please understand that your health is at risk and the decision that you make to retain or remove infected teeth will have a profound affect on the future.

If you want to do some further research. Google :
Dr Mercola and root canals.
Dr George Meinig and root canals.
Dr. Gammal at http://www.robertgammal.com/RCT/RCTDangerous.html

Please check back with us. I've seen your situation many times and patients who are pro active fair much better than those who are not. The journey to become well can be a long one but with each step you get that much closer.

Bryanna

Hi,
I'm a new poster, and I'm impressed by the level of professional involvement in this forum.
I had all my upper teeth capped with zirconium crowns. During the grinding process, one of my front inscisers became sensitive, and the root below the gumline became very tender. Here is the interesting part: For the past 2 years, I've had the sensation at the opening to my nostril directly above this tooth that there was something 'raw' in my sinuses or nasal passage, but I've never been able to find it. I've inserted Q tips into the lower part of my nostril fully expecting to find blood or pus. Never did.

Now that I finally had that tooth root canaled, it went absolutely crazy in the space above my tooth and when I gently tap on the bottom of my nostril, that former "sinus pain' is obviously the infected root apex of the tooth. The root canal procedure did not produce any drainage or blood at all. I'm on Amoxicillin, which had been prescribed to me 3 months ago to keep it in check, but which stupidly I didnt think to take before the procedure.
Now, 3 days after the root canal, I have a swelling under my nostrils that make it look wide open, and there is no drainage anywhere that I can tell. I've been in touch with my dentist, (who is great, but is a GP,) and expressed my concern that aside from exquisite pain, I am starting to feel systemically sick, and questioned if this can become blood sepsis. He said no, but my heart is beating pretty quickly, but have no fever.

Nontheless, I have an appointmeht to go there in 2 days to have it sealed up. I told him I was converned that there was no drainage, and that it would not heal, or worse. He said he planned to 'poke' through the apex of my tooth to try to initiate drainage, which seems like maybe a decent plan, but I'm thinking that this is a bad infection, which has probably been festering in the bone which I can feel by tapping the inside lower rim of my nostril. There is also now a big swollen area inside my lip at the top of the tooth.

Any thoughts about this? I want to save the tooth, but I want the infection out, once and for all.

Hi azmanatheart,

I think your instincts about the infection are right on! From your detailed description, it sounds typical of an inflamed and/or perforated sinus from a long standing infection from that tooth.

The initial sensations in your nostril prior to the root canal were indicative of the onset of the infection. The root canal procedure does nothing to cure the infection in the tooth because it is not possible to access the microscopic canals which will always harbor infectious bacteria. The only way to cure the infection is to remove the source which is the tooth.

To perforate the apex of this tooth is the worst thing you could do because it would be like opening up a faucet of infection and giving it easy access to travel to... the sinus or further. The bump high up on your gum is a fistula which is the body's way of creating an outlet for the pressure that has built up from the infection. The pressure is what is causing the pain. The fistula is a temporary release, it does not mean the infection is leaving the tooth. To keep the fistula open, rinse 3-4 times a day with warm salt water and use your lips to make a drawing sensation as if to pull from that area. DO NOT swallow this water.

Your concerns about this infection becoming systemic are again right on! Our teeth are intricately connected to the rest of our body. Infections in our teeth can and will cause physical illness. If your dentist is not making this connection, he is misinformed big time! He may be a nice guy, but he needs to step outside of the tooth carpentry box and get some additional education on the whole body connection.

Here is the link to my post about what a root canal is to help give you a better idea of what is going on..
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread163589.html

Here is a tooth and organ chart depicting the real whole body connection. This information has been around for many centuries originating with chinese medicine.
http://www.naturalworldhealing.com/D...organchart.htm

Please use your instincts about this tooth, they are correct, it is in the bone, it has been festering for awhile and is moving upward. There is no cure for this infection other than to remove the tooth. Root canal therapy does not cure an infection.... it simply "retains" an infected tooth. To keep the tooth means to keep the infection. I know this is very difficult to hear and deal with. Please, do not just go along with the old standard of care routine... become better informed instead.

Please let us know how you are doing.

Bryanna

Dear Bryanna,
Thank you for the education. However, after reading the links you provided, it seems like there is no good course of action to take in my situation. If I leave the root canaled tooth in place, the infection continues: if I have it extracted, I release even more bacteria and will most likely develop a cavatation. Unless I missed something, it seems I'm damned no matter what I do?!
Seriously, this is enough to make a person panic. I need to make a judicious, informed decision. After reading your post, I was ready to have the tooth extracted to be rid of this infection, despite the fact that I lose a front tooth that has a brand new crown, and I wll probably need an expensive implant down the road. But after reading the link in your post, I dont see a route to getting better.
Can you please set me straight on this? I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to educate a stranger, but I seem to be missing something. There must be a correct action I can take, but my time is running short, since I have a very painful condition that needs attention.
I do feel sick, and cant taste the Eugenol in my mouth from the cotton filled hole made by the dentist, left open to allow drainage that isnt happening! The lump in my gum, or fistula, has not opened from what I can tell, and your advice to use warm soaks to try to 'bring it to a head' seems wise, although I'm tempted to take a sterile diabetes needle and try to draw it out. My lower nostril is now numb, and I'm getting worried. I dont know what to do.
Thank you for your time and patience in answering my questions.
Regards,
JEff

Hi Jeff,

You are welcome!
Are you a diabetic?? If so, that is a huge reason to NOT hang onto an infected tooth. And if your dentist is aware of your diabetes, he should know better than to have root canaled your tooth in the first place. Especially since you have a history of dental pain in that area of your mouth and sinuses prior to the root canal... both indicative of a long term infection.

Also, it is OLD school dentistry to leave a tooth open after having a partial root canal. That cotton pellet is doing nothing to prevent bacteria from getting up inside of that tooth.... adding insult to injury. The reason he did that was because he knows that tooth has a severe infection and if he closed it up, you would have developed a huge swelling and horrible pain from the pressure of the bacteria inside of that tooth. The fact that you developed a fistula after the root canal procedure was started and left opened to supposedly drain ...... again indicates a complicated infection. Let me clarify... this tooth is not draining, thus the fistual. Also, it is OLD school dentistry to leave an infected tooth open to drain into a person's mouth, especially a diabetic.

Forgive my assertiveness Jeff, I don't think I need to educate you on the risks of diabetes and infection, but perhaps you need to educate your dentist. Many dentists are tooth carpenters, not wise doctors.... unfortunately.

Let me clarify the difference between keeping an infected tooth and having a cavitation...... there is no difference. The cavitation is CAUSED by the proliferation of infection FROM the tooth. There is no "cure" for that infection in that tooth. The longer the tooth is present, the deeper the bone infection = cavitation.

DO NOT use anything to open that fistula. The bacteria is not just contained in that lump, it is in the jawbone and the tooth. It will open on it's own from the warm salt water if the pressure builds up enough. If that happens do not swallow the stuff that comes out ... spit it out and rinse with the salt water. The bump will continually fill up because the infection is coming from the tooth.

You are right about the complications of this situation and yes, it is disheartening that you have had all of this dentistry and are now faced with this decision. You should also know that if you are diabetic, you may not be a candidate for a dental implant mainly because of the health risk of placing an implant in an area of bone that has an infection is elevated in a diabetic.

To be honest... your dentist should have informed you about the health of this tooth prior to doing your crown work. Your original symptoms indicated an infection.... irrelevant of whether it showed up on an xray or not. I have a hunch that it did show up and was not diagnosed until you developed further symptoms. At the onset of your symptoms, especially since you were going to have all of this crown work, you should have been given the option of extraction at that time. You could have had a 3 unit bridge made there to replace this tooth instead of single crowns. It would have esthetically tied in beautifully with the other crowns. So if that had been done, the concern over doing an implant would have not been an issue. NOW, the situation is more complicated because of the extent of the infection. Am I explaining myself okay? Does this all make sense to you?

Your options are.....

Complete the root canal procedure = infection
Re treat with an additional root canal procedure = infection
Apicoectomy (a surgical root canal) = infection
Extraction of the tooth, debridement of the bacteria from the bone and possible entry into the sinus cavity depending on how extensive the infection has traveled.

Replacement option...

1) Take off the crowns on the adjacent teeth and make a three unit bridge. He should not charge you anything extra for doing this.

2) Consult an oral surgeon for a CT scan to see if you are a candidate for a dental implant.

I am sure that you are feeling quite panicked at this point. PLEASE stay calm so you can think clearly. The information that I have given you is meant to empower you with the knowledge that your dentist neglected or minimally provided to you. Lack of information is unfortunately a common situation in many dental offices... that is why I became a patient advocate in dental offices many years ago and why I'm here to help educate you on the issues that would otherwise be overlooked. You have the right to be properly informed.

It is hard to come across subtle on the internet about such important issues such as this. If you were sitting with me, I would be gently touching your hand and reassuring you that this can be remedied in a healthy manner. But it needs to be addressed asap.

Please keep in touch here.......
Bryanna

Hello...first time poster here and this is my first time. Back last Feb. I began the process of having 8 crowns made and installed if that is the correct word. Here it is in June and not done yet, and there have been some problems. First the dentist drilled out the old metal fillings which were put in in 1966 on Guam by a USAF dentist. Then he filled and shaped the teeth (all bottom jaw teeth on both sides) and put on temp. crowns. These came loose on one side and had to be replaced twice.
Finally the perm. crowns arrived, but one of these would not fit, and the dentist broke a piece off the adjacent crown while trying remove the excess cement towards the gum line. So they had to order two more perm. crowns. Meanwhile I began having pain and sensitivity underneath one other tooth on that same side. I could not bite down on that tooth or even touch it without pain. Now the pain has moved downwards and hurts along the gum/root line. I can also feel a lump below that same tooth.
He x-rayed it and showed me a dark spot on the x-ray which he called a "bubble" but he did not explain what exactly it might be. I was put on Amoxicillin andf told to come back in a week. It does not hurt as mucgh as before, but it is still painful and sensitive even after a Lortab or two. This is worrying me and I think I might need a second opinion.

Bryanna is spot on. I removed several teeth rather than additonal treatment that in the long run does not work. Saving an infected tooth, puts your whole immune system on guard, and is not the best option in my opinion. I have immune problems to begin with, and sure didn't want additional problems. I wound up with a simple device called a besnit. You may want to look into this. For me, it was a wonderful solution to an awful problem I wish you all the best. ginnie

Hi ginnie,

Thanks so much for all of your kind words.... you are an amazing woman!!

The appliance that you had made is called a nesbit Just wanted to clarify your spelling so that someone reading that would know what to ask for.
Unfortunately, I don't think Jeff is a candidate for a nesbit as a permanent solution. But if he is a candidate for an implant, then he could wear a nesbit as a temporary solution while the implant integrated in the bone.

Ginnie... when is your foot surgery scheduled for??

Bryanna



T