hello
I had a 12 year old root canal-ed tooth extracted on 1/29/13 because it was 'cracked' (according to Oral Surgeon) and infected. I feel certain there is still infection, in the area and also beginning to move elsewhere in my body. I have been on 2 antibiotics, but neither have resolved the infection, and I understand that the bacteria may be resistant.

WHAT to do now? Please advise. The tooth has been extracted, but feel the infection is still in the bone and surrounding area. What is the course of action to deal with the infection.

Thank- you
Susan

Hi Susan,

Most dentists do not inform their patients about the systemic risks associated with root canaled teeth. Including the difficulty in eradicating the infection from the body after a chronically infected tooth has been removed. Some people seem to have little to no residual problems after the infected tooth is removed. OR so they think. Meaning our doctors rarely ask about our dental health when they are trying to diagnose a systemic ailment. So the correlation is rarely if ever brought to light. Until someone develops brain cancer or some other horrific illness. Even then it takes a very wise doctor to look into the possible connection.

It is possible to develop osteo myelitis in the bone from an infected tooth. Many years ago my husband had this from a root canaled tooth and it took 3 months of dual antibiotics to bring the infection under control. He still deals with residual sinus problems from the long term infection that he had... and by the way.... had no obvious symptoms of anything being wrong with this tooth. I know of others who have had to have long term IV antibiotic therapy and still have residual issues as well. One way to know which antibiotic to prescribe is to have a surgery to culture the bacteria from that area. The specimen is looked at under a microscope in a lab to determine the type of bacteria(s) and then cultured to determine what strains of bacteria they are least resistant to. Most often more than one antibiotic is prescribed once the culture is done.

If you feel that you are becoming ill from infection related to this tooth... then see your oral surgeon and ask him what can be done at this point.

I know this is scary.... but the sooner you deal with this the better the outcome.

Please keep us posted....
Bryanna