I had root canal done 20 yrs ago on my upper front teeth. It is painful now. Yesterday I went to dentist and the xray showed that it is infection. He suggest to do apicoectomy.. He guarantee there is no more infection after that.. ??*he also said from the xray that I have 2 other teeth that need root canal.*Is that true you cannot have pain or infection anymore after apicoectomy?I am not a big fan of root canal. My first root canal tooth got extracted when I was pregnant because of infection. Right now is the second root canal tooth.Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

Hi Cathy, I am not the expert here, but I do have some information to pass along to you. Bryanna is the best, and she will be here to talk to you too.

What happened to you with the RC'd tooth is very common. After years of it being OK, it is infected. The reason this happens in at the time the RC was done, not all of the infection was removed. In fact it NEVER can, no matter how many times this is re-done. The tiny channels inside the tooth retain bacteria, and what you are experiencing is the result. Do not RC teeth. It is a temporary fix to "retain" the tooth for some period of time. This is a huge profit making industry to RC teeth. It isn't fair to do to the patient. You are NOT told the truth about this, as the profit is so great.

I chose to have my infected teeth removed, End of trouble, end of the money pit game. This is the only way to cure the infection.

I feel bad telling you this, because so many times dentists do not relate all the real information on this subject. In fact some dentists get very defensive, when you bring up this subject.

The infections, do travel in all parts of the body, and it is hard on your immune system to retain these teeth. If I were in your shoes, I would politely decline to RC the other teeth as well. I have a compromised immune system as it is, and didn't want the strain on my body.

I hope that you will stay informed and learn as much as possible, so you can make an informed wise choice.

Ginnie

Thank you Ginnie. Already discuss with my dentist about the option of extraction for my front teeth. He still insist on apicoectomy. He said he does not agree with extraction and told me that it is better to save my teeth. In the mean time, he gave me antibiotic. The pain is almost gine by now.
I am scheduled for Apiciectomy next week. Should I wait a few months and look for second opinion? [/B]

Hi Cathy,

I am in the dental field and can offer you some help here.

Regarding the apicoectomy surgery....
Many dentists no long recommend or perform this type of procedure because it is barbaric, costly and serves no benefit. It cannot and will not cure your infected tooth because it does nothing to alter the infection inside of the tooth. In fact this procedure will cause more pain, more inflammation, more infection and more trauma to the jaw bone making it difficult to replace once the tooth is removed. Dentists who do still perform this surgery do so for the $$$$$ and because they are simply putting off the inevitable which is removal of the infected tooth. You should have been informed of the risks of this procedure by your dentist and he should not have told you it would cure the infection.

The antibiotic has temporarily helped to subside some of the inflammation reducing your symptoms. However, it is not curing the infection and this is only temporary. The pain, swelling will return. The other reason the pain has subsided is because the infection has found a path to drain. This is not a good or healthy thing. This means that the bacteria is seeping into the bone even further.

Your tooth is very diseased. A re treat of the root canal is useless and so is an apicoectomy. The only way to cure this infection is to remove the source of the infection which is your tooth.

To wait to remove this tooth means to allow the infection to spread. It is also better to have it extracted while you are on the antibiotic rather than having to take the meds all over again later on. It would be wise to discuss replacement options with your general dentist and then see an oral surgeon for the removal.

I'm sorry to be so blunt and I'm sorry your dentist has not properly informed you. Unfortunately your situation is common and you would be wise to consider the information that I have provided for you here.

Bryanna

Ginnie....

Thank You! You are really getting good at this stuff!! )

Bryanna

Thank you Bryanna. I will cancel the apicoectomy surgery for now.