I am certainly glad I found this site.
Bryanna, I've been reading many posts and your responses seem right on to me. I'm hoping you can help me.

I have infections in tooth #3 and an abscess, infection, in tooth 31. Both of them have had a root canal. I have an app. with an endodontist on July 11th to extract tooth 31 and to retreat tooth 3.

After reading some posts here, I'm not feeling too confident about the retreat in tooth 3. In fact, I was leaning towards extraction of it before talking to the endodontist. He is a different one than who did the original root canals.

The infection in number 3 has been giving me sinus pain by my nose, cheek and right eye. I have to get a crown on my back tooth, right by it, and after getting the temp, this pain was pronounced.

I also now believe that an oral surgeon should do both extractions, but this endodontist was very nice in offering to do the #31 extraction. Do you think I should get an opinion from an oral surgeon or perhaps see if this endo would do both extractions?

I really want someone you knows a lot about sinus issues with extractions, since #3 is already causing problems in this area.

I do believe my overall health would improve after these infections are gone, as I have MS and infections make that condition worse.

Thank you for any advice you can give me.
Gretchen

Hi Gretchen,

Just some FYI in case you were wondering ..... I'm not a dentist but have been in the dental profession for 35 yrs .... my posts here are factual and <blantantly> honest.

It is common for the roots of an upper posterior tooth, like tooth #3, to be very close to the sinus. It is also common for an infected tooth to infect the sinuses. A long term sinus infection can lead or contribute to infections further into the head. SO it is never a good idea to have a chronic infection that can spread like that.

ALL root canaled teeth are infected irrelevant of how many times they are treated. It is IMPOSSIBLE to remove the infected, necrotic nerve material that resides inside of the microscopic canals. This bacteria will continue to proliferate beyond the tooth into the sinus and further. The tenderness that you feel beside your nose, cheek and eye on the right side is commonly seen with infected upper molars. It just shows how far the inflammation has spread from the infection. The fact is... the only way to rid a tooth of an infection is to remove the source of the infection which is .... the tooth.

With regard to the extractions..... endodontists do not routinely perform extractions. If it were me, I would consult an oral surgeon to remove both of those teeth and discuss replacement options with him so he can possibly preserve the socket for the possible placement of implants in the future. That doesn't mean you have to have the implants, it just means that he can prepare the sites now in case that is what you decide to do later on.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

Bryanna





QUOTE=gdmcor;892947]I am certainly glad I found this site.
Bryanna, I've been reading many posts and your responses seem right on to me. I'm hoping you can help me.

I have infections in tooth #3 and an abscess, infection, in tooth 31. Both of them have had a root canal. I have an app. with an endodontist on July 11th to extract tooth 31 and to retreat tooth 3.

After reading some posts here, I'm not feeling too confident about the retreat in tooth 3. In fact, I was leaning towards extraction of it before talking to the endodontist. He is a different one than who did the original root canals.

The infection in number 3 has been giving me sinus pain by my nose, cheek and right eye. I have to get a crown on my back tooth, right by it, and after getting the temp, this pain was pronounced.

I also now believe that an oral surgeon should do both extractions, but this endodontist was very nice in offering to do the #31 extraction. Do you think I should get an opinion from an oral surgeon or perhaps see if this endo would do both extractions?

I really want someone you knows a lot about sinus issues with extractions, since #3 is already causing problems in this area.

I do believe my overall health would improve after these infections are gone, as I have MS and infections make that condition worse.

Thank you for any advice you can give me.
Gretchen[/QUOTE]

Thank you, Bryanna; from reading the posts, I knew you weren't a dentist, but sometimes nurses know as much or more than doctors, too.

I was also worried about the infection spreading further from tooth #3. I asked the endo about this and he said that upper canine tooth infections could spread to the brain, but not back molars. I hope that's at least true!

However, I don't want to wait months to see if a retreat helps with the infection, and from what you've said, it won't help at all.

I am going to call an oral surgeon on Monday and make an appointment for a consultation. I want these teeth removed yesterday!

I will keep you posted and appreciate your time!
Gretchen

Hi Gretchen,

I do not want to scare you, but your endodontist has hugely misinformed you if he said.... << I was also worried about the infection spreading further from tooth #3. I asked the endo about this and he said that upper canine tooth infections could spread to the brain, but not back molars. >>

ALL maxillary (upper) molars.... typically canines/incisors/..... and in some people even their upper anterior teeth are located very close, if not in direct contact with the sinuses. The pathology associated with oral infections is complicated, so here's the short version. When an infection proliferates (spreads) through the root of a maxillary tooth (as it eventually does in root canaled and/or non root canaled abscessed teeth) it can easily enter the sinuses. The brain is only about three inches from the tooth roots and a dental infection from a tooth abscess can spread to the brain through the veins in the head.

Some other serious systemic problems that can occur from any tooth abscess are.....

Swelling severe enough to close off the airway..... Coma from septicemia of the brain..... Endocarditis (inflammation of the heart) caused by the bacteria as it attaches itself to the inside of the heart where it grows and can cause permanent heart damage...... Pneumonia if the bacteria enter the lungs.

An infected tooth is NEVER something that should be ignored or dealt with on your own. They always require professional intervention. Endodontic treatment cannot "cure" the infection and that is not disputed in the dental community .... that procedure is done to "retain" the <infected> tooth as in "buy time" until it is extracted. The problem with "retaining" an infected tooth are ALL of the complications that I've posted above. Every patient should also be informed that the replacement of an infected tooth, especially if the infection has been present for a long time, can be complicated due to the deterioration of the jawbone from the bacteria.

Thanks for your reply to my post.... please don't be scared, just listen to your instincts and gut feeling on this... please do keep us posted.

Bryanna



T

I* am one who followed Bryannas advice. I had three teeth removed this year, rather than taking a chance on "retaining" the teeth. I also still have one root cannal tooth in my lower Jaw. At some point, that one is coming out as well. I have auto immune problems, and I don't want any of the infections that go along with infected teeth. I had no trouble with the extractions and did go to a specialist to have them removed, an oral surgeon. I am glad to hear you are going on Monday. I wish you all the best. ginnie

Hi Bryanna and ginnie,

Thank you both for your posts and concern.

Needless to say, it is a scarey situation to have an infection that could be spreading throughout your body. I certainly don't need that with already having MS and the symptoms I incur with that on a daily basis.

Here's another question for you. If I do have infection that has spread elsewhere, how long would it take to rid the body of this infection once the teeth are out?

I already feel my sinuses being affected, most likely from tooth #3, and if on the proper antibiotic, would that clear up in time?

Also, when #3 is pulled, would that trigger further release of infection up into the sinuses or head? Should I be on an antibiotic a while before it's pulled?

I have been on amoxicillian for about a month and just recently went off of it.

Any questions I should specifically ask the oral surgeon when I get an app. with him? What concerns should I bring up? I don't think I'll have any problems with tooth 31, but I don't know.

Again, thank you for your time and knowledge of all of this!
Gretchen

Hi Gretchen,

I will post your questions/concern and follow with my answer..

<<I certainly don't need that with already having MS and the symptoms I incur with that on a daily basis.>>

ANYONE WITH AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE IS AT A HIGHER RISK FOR SYSTEMIC COMPLICATIONS FROM INFECTION AS OPPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE AD.

<< If I do have infection that has spread elsewhere, how long would it take to rid the body of this infection once the teeth are out?>>

THAT CANNOT BE DETERMINED OR ESTIMATED BECAUSE IT IS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. OBVIOUSLY, THE LONGER THE INFECTION HAS BEEN CIRCULATING IN THE SYSTEM AND/OR THE MORE COMPROMISED THE PATIENTS HEALTH IS, THE MORE DIFFICULT TO ERADICATE. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT EVERY PERSON WHO HAS A SYSTEMIC COMPLICATION WILL BE ILL FROM IT FOREVER. THERE ARE MANY FACTORS TO CONSIDER AND IT IS DEPENDENT ON MANY THINGS.

<<I already feel my sinuses being affected, most likely from tooth #3, and if on the proper antibiotic, would that clear up in time?>>

THE PROPER ANTIBIOTIC CAN ONLY BE DETERMINED BY DOING A CULTURE OF THE BACTERIA. THAT CAN POSSIBLY BE DONE AT THE TIME OF THE EXTRACTION. GENERALLY WHEN A TOOTH IS INFECTED, A COMMONLY USED ANTIBIOTIC IS PRESCRIBED WITH THE HOPE THAT IT WILL SUBSIDE THE INFECTION. HOWEVER, AS LONG AS THE INFECTED TOOTH IS PRESENT, THE INFECTION WILL NOT CLEAR UP. CHRONIC INFECTIONS ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO MANAGE AND ERADICATE. THIS IS WHY IT IS NEVER A HEALTHY OPTION TO RETAIN AN INFECTED TOOTH.

<<Also, when #3 is pulled, would that trigger further release of infection up into the sinuses or head? Should I be on an antibiotic a while before it's pulled? >>

IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF THE INFECTION BEING RELEASED DURING THE EXTRACTION. THE INFECTION IS NOT SELF CONTAINED TO JUST THE TOOTH NOW. THE SURGEON WILL CLEAN THE BONE AND SINUS AREA AS BEST AS POSSIBLE WHEN HE REMOVES THE TOOTH.

<<Any questions I should specifically ask the oral surgeon when I get an app. with him? What concerns should I bring up? I don't think I'll have any problems with tooth 31, but I don't know. >>

TELL THE SURGEON YOU HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ABSCESSED TEETH ON THE INTERNET. LET HIM KNOW THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT RESIDUAL INFECTION AFTER THESE TEETH ARE REMOVED AND WANT HIM TO BE VERY THOROUGH WITH BOTH EXTRACTIONS. MAKE SURE HE KNOWS ABOUT YOUR SINUS SYMPTOMS AND YOUR MS.

Hope this is helpful...
Bryanna

I was put on antibiotics for the removal of my teeth. I did have an infection and was told there is a release of more bacteria, so the oral surgeon had me on them several days before, and a week after. With MS, tell your oral surgeon about that too. I bet he will want to be careful. I get infections easily too. I wish you all the best. ginnie

Hi ginnie, Did you have all 3 of your extractions done at the same time? Do you feel a lot better now? Any lingering problems?
Thank you for your concern!

Bryanna, Thank you for answering all my questions and concerns! I want to make sure I don't miss anything important when I see him. I am very worried about my #31 tooth being so close to the sinuses and the symptoms I've been having. So I will also be sure to ask him about the chances of possible perforation.

I will let you all know how my meeting with the oral surgeon goes. I hope I can get an appointment next week!

Gretchen

I had two removed first, that were side by side. Several months later after healing, the last one on the bottom. I was sad over it, but I know now that my mouth is in good shape. Gums better, no infections. I am also having silver and old composit fillings removed, when they are cracked or show signs of cavity under the filling. The old composits let in decay. I also had four crowns put in. I am determined to keep my remaining teeth healthy. I won't let things go again. My son is helping me with payments, and the dentist did grant me some mercy. She knows how many medical problems I have, and gave breaks on the cost. I wish you all the best as you go forward. I didn't have any trouble at all with healing!!!!! ginnie