Root canal question
 

I had a root canal done on the tooth next to my front tooth in May, the tooth was a little sensitive and I had a little swelling on roof of mouth, she did root canal and stared the crown that day. Was put on antibiotics but had some issues with them, so she switched me to a zpak. Went back and told her tooth was tender and she said it could be tender for a while.

I do wear a partial for some missing back teeth, so I went to the dentist on Monday as I still have some swelling on the roof of mouth by this tooth and a little discomfort, not severe pain. The dentist that did the work was no longer there so I saw another, he did X-ray and said there is no infection, but if I wanted he would prescribe me some antibiotics cuz it couldn't hurt.

My question is why would I still have some swelling if there is no infection? All the other teeth are good, had a filling in the one beside this one done last fall, and he said they all look good. I am wondering if I should pull this tooth and get a permanent bridge, but then how long will I be without this front tooth, I work and don't want anyone to see me without a front tooth.
I haven't started the antibiotic, not sure if I should or not. Should I see another dentist? Since I already have a partial for missing back teeth, my friend says I should just get dentures and have all of the teeth pulled, but I don't think I want to do that. Any advice would help, thanks

Well, when you have a root canal there is always an infection left-they can't get it all, it's impossible. There are millions of microscopic canals they simply cannot get into to, but the bacteria is still in them.

I'm sure you'll get a better answer later that can explain the inflammation/antibiotics, because I don't know the answer.

I can say, I've had a front tooth removed and had a "flipper' while my implants healed, I got it the same day as my extraction. Dentists/surgeons can work together to make sure you are not without a front tooth!

Hi Gingerb,

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

Why did you have the root canal done on that lateral tooth? Was the tooth infected?

All root canaled teeth contain dead infected nerve tissue within the tiny canals that cannot be removed during the rc procedure. Antibiotics cannot cure the infection because it is the nerve tissue that is causing the infection. The infection will eventually spread through the tooth into the jaw bone. Sometimes there are slight to no symptoms associated with the infection, other times there is swelling and/or pain. Either way the tooth is never going to be healthy again. Antibiotics may temporarily reduce the inflammation and subside the swelling but they cannot cure the infection and it will swell up again at some point.

Oral infections may not show up on an xray until they are very advanced or the angle of which the xray was taken may miss the infection altogether. So an xray is only one part of the diagnostic process.

As long as you have this tooth, you will have an infection as there is no procedure to cure it other than removing the tooth. Since you already have a partial denture, ask your dentist if the dental lab can attach a tooth to it to replace this one when you have it removed.

Bryanna