#15 Infected Root Canal Extracted
 

Hi Bryanna,

After reading your forum with all the great information, I decided to have my infected root canal extracted. To give a little history, This tooth has been bothering me for years and felt weird around the gum (just slightly). My new Dentist at the time (Different dentist did the root canal back in 2007ish) said to just keep an eye on it... that it might just be scar tissue from the root canal procedure.?.?

This last month it started bothering me bad, she did a new X-Ray (I have pictures but can't post them yet until I post 10 messages??) you can clearly see the infection. She recommened an Endodontist to perform an Apicoectomy.

After reading about root canals, I decided to have it Extracted by a good Oral Surgeon and a Bone Graft done. They use the good Equimatrix materials. I was also on Amoxicillin for a good 7 days before the procedure and required them to keep me on it for another 5 days.

It has been day 2 and everything is going well with almost no pain. I'm glad I got the bone graft because today I noticed a little blood clots when blowing my nose and pretty sure the procedure perforated the sinus.

I will keep you all posted on how it turns out and may eventually get an implant. Thanks for all the good info.

Day 6 since extraction, this morning I had some blood clot when I blew out of my nose. No blood yesterday and I saw the oral surgeon and he said everything is looking good and seems to be healing well.

Just a little concerned that yesterday no blood and today there was a good amount and it feels like my sinus on that side is congested. Also recovering from a slight cold.

Anyone else have sinus trouble and blood when healing and how long did your sinus bleed for? Thanks

It's been exactly one week ago today (8 days), no more blood from the sinus and I am trying not to blow my nose (not that congested anymore though).

The area seems to be healing well and I'm now doing a little salt gargle to keep it clean. Just finished my antibiotics.

I am now noticing some very tiny pebble like bone pieces (insignificant amount) in my mouth from the Bone Graft. They warned me this would happen and is completely normal. Therefore, I'm assuming everything is healing as planned and I think the Bone Graft will take well. Glad I had that done, regardless of if I decide to get an implant later.

Hi Kapla,

It sounds like you're doing okay. Some small fragments of the bone graft may come out for several days... it's okay.

When you use the salt water, do not "gargle" with it.... just swish it around in your mouth and spit out. The gargling motion can dislodge the clot. It is also best to do the rinsing a few times a day for several days to lessen the build up of plaque on the surgical site.

Thanks for the update.... hope all continues to go well for you!

Bryanna

Bryanna,

I noticed when I look in a mirror as it's healing (with a little dental mirror) that the clot in the hole looks to be 'White.' Is that normal?

The stitches are gone, but the white stuff makes me think that the white rice I eat got in there, lol. Probably not but I can be a little over hyperchondriac.

Thanks

Kapla,

The "white" in the socket could be remnants of the sutures, plaque or debris. The actual clot will not be visible because the bone graft filled the hole and a collagen plug was most likely placed over the graft, then the sutures. The bone graft material mixes with the blood and eventually it gives a less red, mostly white appearance.

It is really best to avoid foods like rice or anything else that small as it can get caught in the socket. If you are rinsing with the warm salt water a few times a day, a little debris in the socket should not be a problem.

Bryanna

Here are the X-Rays I'd like to show everyone. Take a look at the X-Ray from 2011 (The tooth always felt weird/sensitive even before this time).... and then the recent Dec 2013 X-Ray (Pain!). You can see how it looks like the infection on the root has been there for YEARS and progressed to the point where I was completely ready for Extraction and NOT an Apicoectomy. Thanks.

2011
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps7a30df24.jpg
2013
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...psa17b15e6.jpg

Hi Kapla,

Thank you for posting those x-rays.
Just so you are aware..... each x-ray was taken at a slightly different angle. The radiographic area at the distal root on the first x-ray indicated an infection brewing through the apex of the tooth. If it had been taken at a different angle it most likely would have looked similar to the second x-ray.

Did your dentist comment on the other root canaled molar?

Bryanna

No, she hasn't. Although I am concerned and will keep a close eye on it and maybe get a better X-ray done. The Oral Surgeon did do a couple panaramic X-rays (one right after the surgery).

Also, I may wait to get an implant and maybe have the other root canal molar extracted before considering any implants. Thanks for your input and any advise is greatly appreciated.

It's scary to think how long it has been infected... which could have been a long cause of fatigue and other issues that I have noticed throughout the years.