Root canal infection
 

I was hoping someone on here would be able to help me.

I had a root canal 3+ years ago.
I have some sensitivities in my root canal lately (past 6 months) where it hurts drinking hot or cold. The pain is bearable though it fades shortly after.

The doctor has said he can see at the bottom of my tooth that an xray shows a slight infection. I have little to no symptoms of the infection - its barely painful and no other symptoms besides that. Am I right in thinking that every root canal tooth basically has an infection and that it is just a matter of time or waiting to see if it spreads further.

Problem is I am going away for a 3 week holiday abroad (in 2.5 weeks) and for it to suddenly become infected would be disasterous. Would my options be pull the tooth? Or if i am on holiday for 3 weeks and this isnt possible at the time to just continue taking amoxicillan for 3 weeks and wait till I get back from Holiday to discuss pulling the tooth options?

I am slightly freaking out that it will become infected before/on holiday which means constant taking of antibiotics for 6 weeks. Is that even possible~? Will antibiotics alone mean the infection will go away or will just be treated until a further solution is available?

HELP, VERY CONFUSED AND WORRIED.

Hi erinbard,

You are correct in that every root canaled tooth has some degree of a infection percolating inside of the tooth. There are several reasons why this occurs but the easiest to understand has to do with the inability to remove all of the nerve tissue from inside of the tooth. The only canals in the tooth that can be debrided of infected nerve tissue are those that are visible and large enough to get into. This leaves the microscopic canals untouched. These canals are called dentin tubules and there are many many hundreds of them in every single tooth. They are too tiny and too irregular for instruments, lasers or medications to get inside of them. So the nerve tissue inside of these canals remains there after the rc procedure is done. Nerves require blood to thrive and be healthy. The rc procedure severs the blood vessel that use to supply the tooth with blood. This leaves these nerves trapped inside these spaces without nourishment. The nerves die quickly and inflammation and bacteria take hold of the contents. It is only a matter of time before the contents become infectious, overwhelms the tiny canals and spills out beyond the tooth. That is the infection that is being picked up on the radio-graph. So to be clear, the infection is not just at the end of the tooth in the bone, it is also inside of the tooth in those tiny canals. I will post a diagram of the anatomy of a tooth for you to see what they look like.

Depending on the individual case, some people will have pain with an infected tooth while others do not. It depends on the on the infection and the persons immune system. So pain is not a good indicator of the severity of the problem.

Dentists know about the trapped nerve tissue inside of the dentin tubules but there is nothing they can do to remove it. Some dentists most of whom practice conventional dentistry proclaim without biological evidence that the nerve tissue just dies and the body miraculously takes care of it. Much research and evidence has proven that to be false and even just in common practice it is typical to see time and time again the proliferation of bacteria from inside the tooth spread beyond the tooth into the jaw bone. The consequences of a long term jaw bone infection can be permanent bone loss and sometimes that can lead to a stubborn bone infection called a osteonecrosis and osteomyelitis. Other concerns have to do with systemic (whole body) health as any virulent chronic infection in the mouth can travel to other areas of the body through the vascular system.

The only means of trying to eradicate the infection is to remove the source of the infection and that is the tooth. Irrelevant of what procedure is done to the tooth and/or the bone to lesson the infection the tooth will remain infected. These are the things a dentist should be informing you about so that you can make a decision based on what you believe to be in your best interest. However many dentists, in particular those who still practice conventional dentistry, prefer not to get delve too much into this information because root canals are a big part of their livelihood and they also don't acknowledge the systemic correlation of retaining a moderately infected tooth and how it will affect the rest of the body. It is also never easy to tell someone that the only choices they have is to do a root canal which is essentially keeping an infected tooth for an uncertain amount of time... or extract the tooth which means to remove the problem but then the tooth may need to be replaced.

If you decide to have the tooth remove, it is best to see an oral surgeon for the removal as they are more experienced in removing infected teeth. It is also wise to let the surgeon know that you want a very thorough extraction to be sure that all diseased tissue and bone is removed to help prevent post op complications. I know that sounds silly to have to say that to a dentist but it is better to have your concerns made clear than to make an assumption that someone will just automatically do their best.

I have given you a lot of information that you may or may not have been aware of previously. Don't let is scare you into any decision. You can do your own research on google.... type in Dr Mercola and root canals as a start.

Here is the diagram. The dentin tubules are marked and show as brown lines throughout the dentin of the tooth.

Bryanna

Thank you for your kind reply. I am slowly accepting pulling the tooth is the best option. But I'd rather wait until im back from my holiday. Is 6 weeks waiting too long? Although having said that ive already been putting it off since April. What is the longest you can be on antibiotics ?

erinbard,

Anytime you take an antibiotic your immune system becomes comprised as the medication kills the healthy bacteria in your intestines. This predisposes the user to various degrees of intestinal upset that can lead to an intestinal infection. Unnecessary use of antibiotics can also cause someone to become resistant to that species of medication. Which means when then happens, if you were to need that particular antibiotic at some other time it may not be effective. So it is not wise to go on an antibiotic unless it is absolutely necessary and it is not wise to stay on the medication any longer than necessary.

Just so the time frame is clear .... The problem with your tooth did not begin when your symptoms began. The problem started the day you had the root canal done as the tooth has been infected since then. It was just asymptomatic until the infection spread beyond the tooth.

I know this is a hard decision to make and the timing is not good as you are going on holiday. If your intention is to have the tooth removed then it may be best to do that asap so that it has some time to heal before you go away. Of course the choice is yours and hopefully all will be fine with whatever you decide to do.

Bryanna

So I think I am finally getting my head around this.

Once you get pain in your tooth and it requires a root canal that is the 1st point of infection. The root canal helps the infection but does not actually get rid of the infection completely. So all teeth that are root canaled are 'infected'. The problem is when the pain re-starts - that means thats the infected tooth has become 'abscessed'?

So a tooth can be infected for years and years and nobody notices? Its just in an x-ray that you notice. It is then basically a wait and see game to see if it develops into an abscess? So effectively If i have no pain but know that it is 'infected' I could be waiting months before it actually 'abscesses?'

erinbard,

I know this information is a lot to take in especially since it is not coming directly from your treating dentist. But if you read through some of the threads on this forum you will notice that the problems people are having with root canaled teeth are very common and fairly similar. Which means dentists see these problems on a daily basis.

I am going to re post your thread and clarify it a bit better for you. I will reply in bold type.

<<Once you get pain in your tooth and it requires a root canal that is the 1st point of infection.>>

NOT EXACTLY. THE TOOTH IS PROBLEMATIC AND LIKELY INFECTED PRIOR TO ANY SYMPTOMS. THE SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION ARE OFTEN DELAYED UNTIL THE INFLAMMATION CAUSES UNDUE PRESSURE INSIDE OF THE TOOTH. DOING THE ROOT CANAL DOES NOT CURE THE INFECTION. IT IS DONE TO ATTEMPT TO TEMPORARILY RETAIN AN UNHEALTHY TOOTH.

<< The root canal helps the infection but does not actually get rid of the infection completely. So all teeth that are root canaled are 'infected'.>>

THE RC AIMS AT REMOVING THE VISIBLE NERVE TISSUE INSIDE THE LARGE VISIBLE CANALS. THE STATUS OF THE INFECTION AND INFLAMMATION MAY BE TEMPORARILY REDUCED. BUT THE INFECTION BREWING INSIDE THE DENTIN TUBULES IS VERY ACTIVE AND EVENTUALLY SPREADS BEYOND THOSE AREAS. THIS RENDERS ALL ROOT CANALED TEETH CHRONICALLY INFECTED.

<<The problem is when the pain re-starts - that means thats the infected tooth has become 'abscessed'? >>

NO. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING IRRELEVANT OF THE SYMPTOMS. PAIN AFTER A ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE IS A GENERAL INDICATOR THAT THE INFLAMMATION HAS INCREASED AN THERE IS NOW MORE PRESSURE BUILDING UP INSIDE OF THE TOOTH. NOT ALL TEETH WILL ABSCESS.

<<So a tooth can be infected for years and years and nobody notices?>>

CORRECT. OFTEN THERE CAN BE INTERMITTENT OR VAGUE SYMPTOMS WITH EITHER THE INFECTED TOOTH, THE ADJACENT TEETH, THE SINUS, THE JAW, THE EARS, ETC.

<< Its just in an x-ray that you notice.>>

SOMETIMES THE SYMPTOMS ARE NON EXISTENT OR VAGUE BUT THE INFECTION IS PICKED UP ON AN XRAY. THE BACTERIA INSIDE OF THE TOOTH HAS TO BECOME VIRULENT TO BE PICKED UP ON A 2 DIMENSIONAL XRAY. HOWEVER, THE INFECTION IS OFTEN BREWING LONG BEFORE IT APPEARS ON THE XRAY.

<< It is then basically a wait and see game to see if it develops into an abscess?>>

DEPENDS HOW YOU LOOK AT IT. IF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT ALL ROOT CANALED TEETH HAVE SOME DEGREE OF A CHRONIC INFECTION INSIDE OF THEM PRIOR TO OR AT THE ONSET OF THE RC PROCEDURE AND YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WAITING FOR THE INFECTION TO BECOME SEVERE, THEN THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A WAIT AND SEE APPROACH. WHICH IS THE APPROACH THAT MANY CONVENTIONAL DENTISTS WILL TAKE. IF YOU ARE NOT AWARE THAT RC TEETH ARE CHRONICALLY INFECTED AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE RC CURES YOUR TOOTH, THEN YOU WOULD NOT EVEN THINK THE TOOTH WOULD EVER GIVE YOU A PROBLEM AND WOULD BE SURPRISED TO HAVE PAIN IN THAT DEAD TOOTH AT ANY POINT IN TIME. MOST PEOPLE WOULD THEN GAUGE THE SEVERITY OF THE INFECTION BY THE AMOUNT OF PAIN THEY HAVE. WHICH FROM A PATHOLOGICAL VIEW, IS NOT A GOOD INDICATOR OF THE SEVERITY.

<<So effectively If i have no pain but know that it is 'infected' I could be waiting months before it actually 'abscesses?>>

CORRECT. DURING THAT TIME, THE INFECTION BECOMES MORE VIRULENT AND THE CHANCES OF IT SPREADING TO THE JAW BONE, ADJACENT TEETH, THE SINUS (IF AN UPPER TOOTH) AND BEYOND INCREASES. AS DOES THE POSSIBILITY OF PERMANENT BONE LOSS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA OF THE TOOTH.

I know this is not what you want to hear and I am really sorry.
What are your thoughts after you look at the diagram of the anatomy of the tooth showing all the dentin tubules?

Bryanna

persistant pain, now spreading to palate
 

Hi Bryanna,

It's me again, Nukuspot.

I cancelled the root canal for #7. I got two ozone injections, one a week, for the last two weeks. I have not seen any improvement of the tooth pain, and my dentist told me this week that he doesn't see the need to have anymore as it doesn't seem to be helping. Most likely (he thinks) the pain is not from anything ozone can fix.

The pain was manageable with positive thinking for awhile, but now it has spread mainly to the back of my tooth, the side of the tongue/palate. It feels like it is burned or on fire. I know it cannot be from an actual burn because I have been putting ice in all my drinks/soup and letting hot food cool to room temperature due to the pain in #7. From the very base where my tooth hits my palate, all the way into my whole right side of my palate is so painful I am finding it hard to now talk or eat. I (gently) touched with the tip of a toothpick, and it seems to be around the back of #7 and the cainine tooth next to it. It feels almost like a splinter is stuck under the gum but nothing is there.

I have had multiple family members look at the area with flashlights and they all say it doesn't look any different than the other side. It's not red or swollen. It feels like it should be bright red and blistered from the pain but it looks normal.

I called my dentist again and asked what I should do. I cannot live like this. He thinks maybe it is from clenching my teeth!? I am not able to wear my upper splint (it is so uncomfortable and it pushes right on #7) so I called the TMJ doctor and left a message to ask if I could try a lower splint. However that process is going to take weeks---with getting the impressions, ordering the splint, adjusting it, etc. And I don't even know if it will work!

When I speak I feel like #7 is hitting the lower teeth. It doesn't make it more painful, it's just weird. Like as if it suddenly grew a little? I am trying not to talk as a result.

My dentist says when I get back from my 2 week trip to see my family he can see if he can adjust my bite on that side. He still thinks that a root canal should be the last resort to stopping the pain and I agree. But I seriously cannot keep going on like this. I am so worried about these next two weeks on my trip.

I am taking the herbal antinflammatories and have doubled my dose of fish oil (which my ND said was the best thing to try to relieve inflammation.)

I thought it was working but it's gotten worse since the last ozone injection. I wonder if the ozone could have caused damage? The dentist said there were no side effects, that the worst thing that could happen was that it just didn't work, and it was good for the body anyway.

If you have any advice for either what might be causing this pain into my palate or any pain relief options, I would greatly appreciate it. I can barely eat or focus on anything that is not the pain.

I am even using sensitive teeth toothpaste (Toms of Maine) which I normally don't use because it has SLS but I am just desperate to try anything even remotely natural at this point.

Hi Nukuspot,

You are not going to see anything visually with tooth #7 unless it develops swelling or a fistula. The problem is inside the tooth.

The symptoms you describe sound like inflamed nerve pain. You have a small area of open canal with nerve tissue in it near the apex of this tooth. The area above the apex with that bump may be where bacteria is draining from the canal inside of the tooth. As I mentioned earlier you can track the (dark) periodontal ligament from the bump on the top of the root down it's right side near the canine. Both xrays of this tooth show a prominence of the periodontal ligament which generally indicates inflammation. The symptom of feeling like the tooth has grown may be another indication of an inflamed ligament because as the ligament swells, it pushes this tooth downward. Also the bone above #7 is darker than normal which could indicate inflammation/bacteria and/or some irregular change in the bone. That splinter sensation you feel is inflammation.

It would not be unusual to feel pain in the palate and near the canine if that is where the bacteria is moving to.

I feel so badly that you are suffering so much with this. I agree that ozone is not going to subside or cure this problem, unfortunately. I think the problem is not new, it's just become symptomatic. You could be clenching or grinding your teeth which will exacerbate the inflammation. But wearing the guard at this stage is going to aggravate it.

I think you know you are getting down to the wire to make a choice between rct and extraction. I know neither is what you want to do but you cannot go on like this much longer. Anything I would suggest to help with the pain would only be minimal help at this point and with no much duration. I would also NOT use any toothpaste with SLS in it because you are prone to mouth ulcers and SLS is a known trigger for those in some people. Just brush with coconut oil and a pinch of baking soda.

Bryanna

I am so sorry to hijack the OPs thread! I thought I had posted this in my own new thread. See what pain can do to the brain? Is there a way my post can be moved so I do not take over this thread?

So I spoke to both my dentist and the holistic dentist who also does oral surgery.

The dentist who would pull it and do the oral surgery says that I should hold on to both this tooth and #11 as long as I can. They both do not have the best bone for an implant. #11 especially because of the prior surgeries, but #7 too because the roots are so blunted it did not stimulate great bone growth. He says that an implant in that space might work---But it might fail either sooner or later and in that case, I am stuck. He says I cannot get a bridge because of the blunted roots next to both of these teeth, and both he and I agree that a removable tooth would be a very poor outcome for a 35 year old, especially with it having to put pressure on the blunted root teeth adjacent.

It is not a great situation. He advised me to not extract unless pathology was shown on the xray. I mentioned the bump on the xray and he said that that did not make him think of infection. He said that he feels it is a thickened periodontal ligament from years of biting on a tooth that is so blunted and cannot take the pressure. He looked at both the recent and the 2011 xray and said that he sees no change so he is not thinking it is a bacterial cause. This is most likely why the ozone did not work, because ozone would have been effective against bacteria but not nerve pain. He said the same as you, inflamed nerve.

Both dentists have advised me to try whatever I can to see if I can get it to calm down (the nerve). If I cannot, the one dentist advised doing the root canal with ozone. He said that he does not usually advise them but it might be the best choice in my situation if I could not live with the tooth anymore. He also said interestingly that since the tooth is so calcified, the issue of dentinal tubules harboring bacteria might not be an issue, because my body has effectively sealed the tubules off.

My general dentist who probably hates root canals as much as you do, has said that he feels that I should try 100% everything I can to settle the nerve. Being that there is no pathology on the xray, I could wait indefinitely and work on it to heal. I leave on my trip with my bottles of antinflammatory supplements in 2 days. I will be gone for 2 weeks. When I get back I have an appointment with him for an occlusal adjustment, he will see if I have any points of heavy contact on that tooth and gently file it down. He seems to think that will help along with getting a lower guard, and not using my upper night guard.

I am happy to have a plan but I am concerned I will not be able to live with the pain this long. I will just have to take one day at a time and see how it goes. The interesting thing was that it was doing a little better the day before my last ozone injection and now it's so bad again especially the burning and gum pain. He says that ozone could not have exacerbated the pain. So I guess it was a coincidence. I can only hope it can get back to that point it was at before the ozone again during my trip. Right now it is about a 5 on a 1-10 pain scale. I think if if gets higher I will have to call it quits with trying to save this tooth. But if I can get it back to even a 4 or a 3, I can live with it for awhile longer.

I am stopping the Toms sensitivity toothpaste and have gone back to my normal toothpaste (Coral White). I will try just coconut oil too.

again I am SO sorry to hijack the thread. If someone could move my posts to their own thread I would be grateful!

the pain is definitely in the gum area. When I floss between the two teeth (#7 and the canine) it REALLY hurts. Also when I brush the gum area. Should I temporarily stop flossing that tooth? I also stopped the waterpik about a week ago just in case it was exacerbating it.

Nukuspot,

I am going to re post some of your thread and will reply in bold type. I am going to try to explain to you the reason why you are being told the things you are.

<<The dentist who would pull it and do the oral surgery says that I should hold on to both this tooth and #11 as long as I can. They both do not have the best bone for an implant. #11 especially because of the prior surgeries, but #7 too because the roots are so blunted it did not stimulate great bone growth. He says that an implant in that space might work---But it might fail either sooner or later and in that case, I am stuck.>>

THE ONLY REASON YOU ARE BEING TOLD TO HANG ON TO THESE TEETH IS BECAUSE THE OPTIONS TO REPLACE THEM ARE NOT IDEAL AND YOU ARE GIVING THE IMPRESSION (UNDERSTANDABLY) THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO REMOVE THESE TEETH AND DEAL WITH REPLACEMENT ISSUES AT THIS TIME. AT THE SAME TIME, YOU GIVE THE DISTINCT IMPRESSION (UNDERSTANDABLY) THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT KEEPING THESE TEETH AS YOU KNOW THEY CAN AFFECT YOUR OVERALL HEALTH AND YOU DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH MORE WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD. I AGREE THAT DENTAL IMPLANTS IN EITHER 7 OR 11 AREA ARE VERY RISKY AND FOR THE REASONS THAT HE GAVE TO YOU.

<< He says I cannot get a bridge because of the blunted roots next to both of these teeth, and both he and I agree that a removable tooth would be a very poor outcome for a 35 year old, especially with it having to put pressure on the blunted root teeth adjacent.>>

I AGREE THAT YOUR ANTERIOR TEETH ARE NOT RESOURCEFUL ANCHORS FOR A BRIDGE DUE TO THE ROOT RESORPTION. ALSO DRILLING INTO THOSE ANTERIOR TEETH TO PUT CROWNS ON THEM CAN CAUSE ENOUGH TRAUMA TO INFLAME THE PULP AND CAUSE INFECTION. REGARDING A REMOVABLE APPLIANCE, NO THOSE ANTERIOR TEETH ARE NOT IDEAL AS ANCHOR TEETH FOR THAT APPLIANCE EITHER. BUT IN ALL HONESTY THIS OPTION IS NOT BEING RECOMMENDED BECAUSE YOU FEEL STRONGLY THAT YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO HAVE IT. AGAIN, COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE. BUT WHAT IF BOTH 7 AND 11 WERE TO ABSCESS, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

<<It is not a great situation. He advised me to not extract unless pathology was shown on the xray. I mentioned the bump on the xray and he said that that did not make him think of infection. He said that he feels it is a thickened periodontal ligament from years of biting on a tooth that is so blunted and cannot take the pressure.>>

THE PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT IS INFLAMED AND YOU CAN TRACE THE INFLAMMATION FROM THE SMALL VISIBLE CANAL, OUT THE APEX AND DOWN ALONG THE DISTAL SIDE OF THE ROOT TO THE ALVEOLAR CREST. THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE PAIN IN YOUR GUM ON THAT TOOTH IN BETWEEN IT AND THE CANINE. THE LIGAMENT IS ATTACHED TO THE ROOT SURFACE OF THE TOOTH. IT IS THE LAYER BETWEEN THE TOOTH AND THE BONE. INFLAMMATION IS A DEFENSE MECHANISM WHEN THERE ARE MANY NEUTROPHILS PRESENT. NEUTROPHILS ARE WHITE BLOOD CELLS. THESE ARE BLOOD CELLS THAT PROTECT THE BODY AGAINST INFECTION. THEY ARE ALSO THE FIRST CELLS THAT CONGREGATE AT THE SITE OF INFECTION. SO THERE MAY NOT MAY NOT BE INFECTIOUS BACTERIA PRESENT AT THIS TIME.

<<He looked at both the recent and the 2011 xray and said that he sees no change so he is not thinking it is a bacterial cause. This is most likely why the ozone did not work, because ozone would have been effective against bacteria but not nerve pain. He said the same as you, inflamed nerve.>>

BUT THERE IS CHANGE. YOU RECENTLY HAD SUDDEN ONSET OF PAIN THAT HAS NOT GONE AWAY. OZONE CANNOT REACH INSIDE OF THE TOOTH TO REDUCE THE INFLAMMATION. IT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT HAVE MUCH AFFECT ON THE INFLAMED LIGAMENT AND PERHAPS THAT'S BECAUSE THE INFLAMMATION IS STEMMING FROM THE INFLAMED NERVE TISSUE INSIDE THE TOOTH. DOING THE RC WITH OZONE MAY OR MAY NOT BRING YOU SOME TEMPORARY RELIEF. TEMPORARY BEING THE KEY WORD. YOU CERTAINLY CANNOT GO ON WITH THIS PAIN.

<<Both dentists have advised me to try whatever I can to see if I can get it to calm down (the nerve). If I cannot, the one dentist advised doing the root canal with ozone. He said that he does not usually advise them but it might be the best choice in my situation if I could not live with the tooth anymore. He also said interestingly that since the tooth is so calcified, the issue of dentinal tubules harboring bacteria might not be an issue, because my body has effectively sealed the tubules off.>>

BECAUSE THE DENTIN TUBULES ARE MICROSCOPIC, NO ONE CAN TELL YOU IF THEY ARE CALCIFIED OR NOT. EVEN IF THEY OR SOME OF THEM ARE, YOU STILL HAVE TO REMEMBER THE ISSUES WITH RETAINING A NON VITAL ROOT CANALED TOOTH.

<<My general dentist who probably hates root canals as much as you do, has said that he feels that I should try 100% everything I can to settle the nerve. Being that there is no pathology on the xray, I could wait indefinitely and work on it to heal.>>

IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO THE RC OR EXTRACTION, THEN I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CAN TRY TO RELIEVE THE INFLAMMATION. ANYTHING HOMEOPATHICALLY WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE CONSISTENTLY AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE EXACT RIGHT FORMULAS. I DISAGREE ABOUT THE INDEFINITE COMMENT.

<< I leave on my trip with my bottles of antinflammatory supplements in 2 days. I will be gone for 2 weeks. When I get back I have an appointment with him for an occlusal adjustment, he will see if I have any points of heavy contact on that tooth and gently file it down. He seems to think that will help along with getting a lower guard, and not using my upper night guard.>>

THIS MAY HELP TEMPORARILY.

<<I am happy to have a plan but I am concerned I will not be able to live with the pain this long. I will just have to take one day at a time and see how it goes. The interesting thing was that it was doing a little better the day before my last ozone injection and now it's so bad again especially the burning and gum pain. He says that ozone could not have exacerbated the pain. So I guess it was a coincidence. I can only hope it can get back to that point it was at before the ozone again during my trip. Right now it is about a 5 on a 1-10 pain scale. I think if if gets higher I will have to call it quits with trying to save this tooth. But if I can get it back to even a 4 or a 3, I can live with it for awhile longer.>>

THE OZONE INJECTION COULD HAVE IRRITATED THE ALREADY INFLAMED LIGAMENT SIMPLY BECAUSE THE LIGAMENT IS TENDER TO BEGIN WITH AND COULD BE MORE INFLAMED THAN ANYONE REALIZES. I HOPE THE PAIN DOES SUBSIDE WHILE YOU ARE AWAY... I REALLY DO!!

<<I am stopping the Toms sensitivity toothpaste and have gone back to my normal toothpaste (Coral White). I will try just coconut oil too.>>

GOOD IDEA.

Thank you for explaining why my gums hurt! This is so uncomfortable and I could not understand it. You totally helped me understand why it feels all in the gum area.

The dentists I saw are pretty much the most holistic of all the options in about a 200 mile radius of my area. So I was pretty surprised when the one (who I think has about 1/4 his practice as root canal extractions) said that of all my options, root canal with ozone might be the best, albeit temporary option I have if the pain will not spontaneously cease by either reversing the inflammation or the natural death of the nerve.

To answer your question, if I did get an abscess, I would extract that one and have to only hope an implant would be successful. Without it, I might have to adjust to life with a missing front tooth. It would be devastating.

So for right now, my only choice open to me is between keeping on like this and getting the root canal with ozone.

So that is why I am living in pain. I told my husband today I think that 99 out of 100 people would have had the root canal weeks ago. He agreed. I just am clinging to any hope that it will just go away at this point.

My dentist really thinks that the occulsal adjustment is going to reduce the pressure on that tooth and stop the pain. However, that is not for over 2 weeks since I am going away and they couldn't even get me in until 4 days after I return for the adjustment. (I am going to call on Monday and beg for an earlier appointment.)

I might have to rely on Motrin while I am away if this gets worse. So far I have only taken my herbal supplements. I am trying to save Motrin for worst case scenario time.

If the adjustment in 2.5 weeks doesn't help, and it's not at all improving, I am going to have to get the root canal. I still am not at peace with that decision yet but in a few more weeks of pain, I think I will be.

This totally sucks!!!

also I am starting to feel pain around my front tooth as well! In the gum. I guess the inflammation is spreading or it's referred pain? Both #7 and my front tooth recently had visible gum recession (before all this pain started) but I have been told that the gum recession would not create constant pain so I have to assume it is just coincidence. I also thought the ozone made it worse too, but again, possible coincidence.

The feeling of anything in my mouth, hot, cold, soft, hard, anything seems to make it ache more. Even if I try to chew only on my back molars. I still cannot chew on the other side because of the extraction site, it's healed now but it's still very hard to chew due to tender gums and where it is located.

That burning is serious and hard to get rid of... You need to find a good OS to extract it ASAP...

Thank you for your concern, Cleo. But I had a general dentist, an endodontist and a dentist who does OS look at it. Both dentists recommended waiting on the root canal if I could stand the pain. The endo recommended root canal to end the pain but stated that he saw no pathology that meant root canal needed to be imminent, it was just for pain relief.

For the reasons I mentioned earlier, I am not planning to extract this tooth. My choice is between root canal and living with the tooth.

Your burning pain symptoms sound to far advanced for a root canal to even be considered. You do NOT want this to become permanent... this is way worse than living with a missing tooth!

I am a little worried now as my dentist basically said to me to just leave it and 'see how it goes', as in until the infection turns into something more I shouldn't mess with it as I dont have any pain. I am not sure what to think. I also need an operation in hospital if I were to have the tooth removed as he said it is very close to a nerve and is a bit risky to be done in the dental office. Thoughts?

Nukuspot,

I am going to re post some of your thread and answer in bold type. I just want to mention...... I feel awful that you are going through this AND the timing of it with trying to get things together for your trip is adding so much more stress. I feel for you, I really do. I think I've come to know you well enough to believe that you want to gather all the information that you can and this is why you came here and why you stay here. So I am going to keep giving you the information to help you understand things from the "dental" perspective.

<<The dentists I saw are pretty much the most holistic of all the options in about a 200 mile radius of my area. So I was pretty surprised when the one (who I think has about 1/4 his practice as root canal extractions) said that of all my options, root canal with ozone might be the best, albeit temporary option I have if the pain will not spontaneously cease by either reversing the inflammation or the natural death of the nerve.>>

HE MAY VERY WELL BE VERY MUCH INTO HOLISTIC DENTISTRY. WHICH IS GREAT! BUT EVEN A HOLISTIC DENTIST WILL RECOMMEND ROOT CANAL TO A PATIENT WHO BASICALLY LEAVES THEM NO CHOICE. MEANING YOU ARE ADAMANT ABOUT NOT REMOVING #7 IN SPITE OF THE DIAGNOSIS AND IN SPITE OF THE INTENSITY OF THE SYMPTOMS. IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE, AND FOR ALL THE REASONS YOU MENTION, THAT YOU DO NOT WANT THIS TOOTH REMOVED. IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE REMOVAL OF THIS TOOTH IS INEVITABLE, YOUR DENTISTS ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH YOU ON WHAT YOU WILL ALLOW THEM TO DO. THIS IS WHY THEY ARE WILLING TO GO ALONG WITH WHATEVER TEMPORARY MEASURE YOU DECIDE TO TAKE.

<<To answer your question, if I did get an abscess, I would extract that one and have to only hope an implant would be successful. Without it, I might have to adjust to life with a missing front tooth. It would be devastating.>>

THERE IS NO DEFINITIVE WAY TO KNOW THAT A DENTAL IMPLANT WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL OR NOT IN THAT AREA OF BONE UNTIL THE BONE WAS EXPLORED AT THE TIME OF THE EXTRACTION. A PRE OP 3D DENTAL SCAN MAY ALSO BE HELPFUL AT SHOWING THE DEPTH AND DENSITY OF THAT BONE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE PROGRESSION OF THE INFLAMMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BACTERIA WILL CAUSE THE INTEGRITY OF THE BONE TO BREAK DOWN. THIS OCCURRENCE WOULD FURTHER REDUCE WHATEVER CHANCE THERE IS FOR THE IMPLANTATION OF THE DENTAL IMPLANT. YOUR DENTISTS SHOULD BE INFORMING YOU ABOUT THAT BUT THEY ARE PROBABLY HESITANT, LIKE I AM, TO ADD THAT CONCERN TO EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON.

<<So for right now, my only choice open to me is between keeping on like this and getting the root canal with ozone.>>

THIS IS YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE AND EVERY DENTIST IS LEAVING THE DECISION UP TO YOU.

<<So that is why I am living in pain. I told my husband today I think that 99 out of 100 people would have had the root canal weeks ago. He agreed. I just am clinging to any hope that it will just go away at this point.>>

THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD HAVE HAD THE ROOT CANAL WOULD BE THOSE WHOSE DENTISTS SOLD THEM ON IT WITHOUT DISCUSSION. OTHER DENTISTS WOULD HAVE SAID THIS TOOTH IS COMPROMISED IN SEVERAL WAYS, TAKE IT OUT AND PUT IN AN IMPLANT...... WITHOUT MUCH OR ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE BONE.

<<My dentist really thinks that the occulsal adjustment is going to reduce the pressure on that tooth and stop the pain. However, that is not for over 2 weeks since I am going away and they couldn't even get me in until 4 days after I return for the adjustment. (I am going to call on Monday and beg for an earlier appointment.)>>

YOUR DENTIST IS MOST LIKELY PUTTING OFF THE OCCLUSAL ADJUSTMENT BECAUSE TOUCHING TOOTH #7 WITH A DRILL WHILE THE LIGAMENT IS INFLAMED IS NOT GOING TO BE VERY COMFORTABLE AND THE MAGNITUDE OF THE VIBRATION FROM THE DRILL CAN CAUSE FURTHER TRAUMA TO AN ALREADY INFLAMED TOOTH. HE IS NOT LOOKING TO MAKE THINGS WORSE AND IS WILLING TO LET YOU RIDE THIS SITUATION OUT AS LONG AS YOU CAN. IF THE TOOTH CALMS DOWN IN THE NEXT 2 WEEKS, HE MAY TRY TO ADJUST IT THEN. BUT REMEMBER, IF THE NERVES AND LIGAMENT DIE, THE PAIN MAY SUBSIDE MAKING YOU THINK THE TOOTH HAS GOTTEN BETTER. SO AN XRAY OF THIS TOOTH SHOULD BE TAKEN PRIOR TO ADJUSTING THE OCCLUSION TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OBVIOUS RADIO GRAPHIC CHANGES.

<<I might have to rely on Motrin while I am away if this gets worse. So far I have only taken my herbal supplements. I am trying to save Motrin for worst case scenario time.>>

MOTRIN MAY BRING SOME RELIEF. BUT KEEP IN MIND ANTI INFLAMMATORY DRUGS CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE KIDNEYS AFTER TAKING LARGE DOSES AND/OR LONG TERM USE.

<<If the adjustment in 2.5 weeks doesn't help, and it's not at all improving, I am going to have to get the root canal. I still am not at peace with that decision yet but in a few more weeks of pain, I think I will be.>>

YOU KNOW THE RC IS AT BEST ONLY A TEMPORARY MEASURE. BUT IT IS YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE AND IF THAT IS WHAT YOU FEEL YOU WANT TO DO, THEN DO IT.

<<This totally sucks!!>>

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!! I PRAY YOU GET SOME RELIEF AND SOME PEACE WHILE YOU ARE AWAY WITH YOUR FAMILY.

Cleo,

You speak from experience as you have been through a difficult dental situation to know what permanent really means. I understand what you are saying, but at the same time, we are not in her shoes. I hope and pray that she does not end up with any permanent damage.

Bryanna

erinbard,

It's important to understand that the infection seen at the apex of the tooth did not occur over night. This tooth has been infected to some degree since either before or since the root canal was done. The bacteria has proliferated from the tooth and gone into the bone. That proliferation of bacteria is what is finally being picked up on the xray. This infection is going to continue to grow. At what pace, no one can tell you that. To wait and see means to not deal with it until you have a lot of pain, a major swelling or the infection has invaded the main branch of nerves that it is in close relation to. When any of that will occur, no one can tell you.

To have a tooth extracted that is near a main bundle of nerves is always risky because if the nerves become involved with the extraction process there could be temporary or permanent nerve damage. With that said, the spread of the infection increases the chance of the nerves becoming involved. Your dentist really should be informing you of that possibility as he is suggesting that you wait to "see what happens".

Is this dentist an oral surgeon? If not, then it may be wise to consult with an oral surgeon as that is the type of dentist who specializes in the removal of teeth that are close to the main bundles of nerves.

I'm sorry this is happening to you. I know this is scary, but waiting to see what happens may not be the best option. It's best to consult with an oral surgeon for their opinion and discussion about the nerve situation.

Bryanna

I am in the UK and was basically referred by my usual dentist to this new guy who has been giving me this advice, I am not sure if he is an oral surgeon but I was supposed to be referred to one of the hospitals but since they are so full I was referred to him if that makes sense. Another dentist (a completely different one - i like to have other opinions) suggested a second root canal - she could have just been seeing ££ in her eyes as this practice was half private so she stands to make money off of this. It doesnt even sound like a 2nd root canal is something that would even work at this point!! Would this dentist just be suggesting a 2nd root canal for my teeth even over my health just for her own ££?? or perhaps 3 months ago a second root canal was possible if they saw the infection on the xray? thing is my usual dentist recommended a 2nd root canal just last month before I was referred to this new guy via the hospital. It does sound like a 2nd root canal couldnt possibly work?

erinbard,

A second root canal does nothing more than the first root canal. The reason the tooth is infected is because of the microscopic canals called dentin tubules. Irrelevant of how many times a tooth is root canaled, those canals are not accessible. So the tooth will remain infected.

Yes, dentists make a lot of money on root canal therapy. However, the only options they have to offer a patient when a tooth is badly decayed or infected is a root canal or extraction. It is not that they don't care about your health, it's that they (conventional dentists) don't really take it into consideration as they are mainly focused on the dentistry.

I am re posting that diagram of the anatomy of a tooth showing the dentin tubules. Please take a look as it will help you to understand how a tooth could remain infected after root canal therapy.

You are free to choose whatever option you feel is in your best interest. I am just offering you the information that your dentists are not offering you. You can google Dr Mercola and root canals or buy a great book that explains this topic very well called The Toxic Tooth by Dr Robert Kulacz (a dentist) and Dr Thomas Levy (a cardiologist).

Bryanna