dental rubber dam caused extensive damage
 

I was recently had a root canal treatment after being diagnosis with a fistula on the lingual side of tooth #31. My complaint going in was an irritation along the gum line. The endodontist claimed the tooth was dead and proceeded to do the treatment. He used a rubber dental dam for the procedure. After the procedure I experience a lot of pain along the gum line (where the fistula supposedly was) of the treated tooth. On day 5 after the treatment I went to the referring dentist for placement of the temporary crown. He and his assistant commented numerous times on how inflamed the gums were and proceeded to place the temporary crown, which was indeed painful. I was told to use "orabase" to help the gum pain. I continued to experience gum pain and began to experience jaw pain so returned to both the endodontist who told me he did not know why this happened. I asked for antibiotics which he game. I also returned to my dentist who sent me to a periodotist. I now have to have extensive gum surgery and some sort of regenerative treatment because the tissue has been destroyed due to infection. I have never had gum disease, pockets, nor was the treated tooth painful. Now I have all three and will need special cleanings and may still not be able to keep the tooth. I would like to know how this could happen. Can a dental rubber dam cause this or was my treatment lacking.
Thanks

Did you have any dental work prior that could have caused the fistula? It might be worth getting a list of the materials that were used during your dental treatment to be sure that none of them irritated the gum. Typically they use standard bleach to clean out the canals. And gutta percha to fill them....not any formaldehyde. Ask for your records and not ask them directly. If you ask what did you use, and they used a combination of formaldehyde and gutta percha, they will just say gutta percha. Since you went to an endo, they probably did not use formaldehyde, but not 100%. Just tell them you want a copy of your records (both dentist and endo) because you are going to an oral surgeon. They will tell you that they will send them to the OS, but insist that you want to take them yourself. I had a very bad experience with a root canal and I proceed with extreme caution. I look at all of my xrays and make sure that I know what materials that are using...down to the novacaine injection. I will never let them use septocain or articane. They are more toxic than lidocaine and mericaine (spellings may not be right but they are close).

BTW, I wouldn't jump into the periodontist treatment. I've known a number of people who were told that and it really wasn't necessary. Maybe you should get a second opinion from an oral surgeon before you go through it and spend all the money, time, pain and agony.

I had no dental work prior to the root canal treatment. I went in to the dentist because I had what felt like an ulcer on my gum and was "told" there was a fistula which is not mentioned again in any of the notes that I have obtained from the endodonitst. According to his notes he used Articaine, NAOCI, (bleach), and hyd. peroxided.
Thanks for the info, I had not thought of that as a possibility for the deterioration of my gums.




[QUOTE=pained;1118503]Did you have any dental work prior that could have caused the fistula? It might be worth getting a list of the materials that were used during your dental treatment to be sure that none of them irritated the gum. Typically they use standard bleach to clean out the canals. And gutta percha to fill them....not any formaldehyde.] Ask for your records and not ask them directly. If you ask what did you use,

Did these people get the tooth pulled rather than have the restorative periodontal surgery?

article
 

I found this article. Images b, c and e are similar to what my gums look like. Mine is on the lingual side and I have a sharp boney protrusions which will have to be removed. This site would not let me include a link so here is the title. Should be easy to find.

Necrosis of gingiva and alveolar bone caused by accidental sodium hypochlorite seepage during endodontic treatment

BTW, unrelated to your problems but I would NEVER let a dentist use articaine or septocaine, especially for work on back molars...but I won't let them use it period. It has a higher toxicity and therefore a higher risk of nerve damage...which is considered generally just considered a back luck of the draw.

Only use lidocaine or mericaine (I'm sure I've spelled these wrong). IMHO. I've read too many stories and my attorney who never took injection injuries now takes them if articaine or septocaine was used. I have them write in BIG letters on my chart.....USE ONLY LIDOCAINE and I also ask before they inject me.