Root Canal - Extraction of a recently root canaled tooth
 

I had a root canal on my last upper molar "27" if you will (last Thur). Today, I got a permanent filling on it.

This tooth is on the left side of my face.

As I write this, my left nostril is COMPLETELY plugged. When I hold my right nostril closed, I cannot breathe through my left nostril. When I hold my left nostril closed, my right nostril IS COMPLETELY, ASTONISHINGLY CLEAR.

I have no doubts that this is due to bacteria or whatever affecting my sinus emanating from a root canal that was not properly cleaned.

Can someone advise me on pulling a tooth after a root canal? I have no health issues of any kind, definitely no sinus issues, and I do not want this to become permanent - that would mean that I paid $1600 to give myself sinus issues.

depends on if you have infection going on . usually the dentist wants to clear that up before pulling a tooth .

Hi thanks. I was prescribed antibiotics by my dentist prior to the root canal, but I didn't take them.... So whatever infection was present at the time probably wasn't cleared out when the endodontist did the root canal.

When I went for my permanent filling, the dentist commented that it was a very well done root canal (the guy I went to is apparently the best in the area).

Anyway, that being said, and having read many things on this forum (which unfortunately, I found only a day before the root canal, and by then it was too late to say no...), I think I should get it extracted ... I'm just wondering about any possible complications?

Thanks!

Just curious as to how common sinus infections, etc., are after root canals ...

My left ear is also hurting (not constantly) but off and on (piercing in spurts). Feel like sneezing but don't (and mostly only from the left nostril, not the right ...) I rarely get colds so I'm pretty sure I'm not getting one now.

Hi PriMe,

Tooth #27 is a lower right canine. The last upper molar on the left is either #17 a wisdom tooth or #18 the second molar.

The closing of your nostril can be from inflammation due to the bacteria living in that area from the infected tooth. The dentist could have perforated the apex (end of the root) of the tooth during the rc procedure which would cause further inflammation and possible a sinus infection.

Antibiotics are not always prescribed for every rc procedure. They are prescribed prior to the procedure when the tooth is badly infected. So chances are the tooth was infected and the procedure exacerbated the situation.

As a side note..... it is irrelevant "who" performs a root canal procedure. There are no "magic" techniques or potions used to differentiate one rc procedure from another. Paying extra money for an endodontist does not mean the procedure will be done any differently. It just means that the endodontist has more experience as this is all he does all day long. The procedure itself is limited because there is no access to the countless microscopic canals which will continue to harbor dead nerve tissue. So an rc procedure renders the tooth nutritionally deprived, necrotic and chronically inflamed/infected. It is performed in an attempt for a patient to "retain" the tooth for an undetermined amount of time. It is not intended to "cure" an unhealthy tooth and make it well again.

Extracting the tooth means to remove the source of the problem. If the infection has spread to the bone and/or the sinus then they are issues that have to be treated after the removal of the tooth. They cannot be treated effectively while the tooth is still present as the tooth is the chronic source of the problem.

Because the rc was done so recently, you could ask for a refund of some of your money if you choose to have the tooth removed now. It is wise to discuss replacement options with your general dentist prior to extracting the tooth.

Bryanna

Thanks for the reply Bryanna! Do you think there is a different naming convention in Canada? Pretty sure they said #27 in reference to the last upper molar on the left side. (It's not a wisdom tooth, bc I had all 4 removed about 7 years ago.)

I've made an appointment with my dentist for next week. I'm going to see how my symptoms go, and then discuss with him my options for removal of the tooth.

Bryanna, just wondering - in your experience, is there anytime you would suggest NOT extracting? ie, do you ever think root canals are better than the alternative, or at least, not as harmful? Are some more stable than others? I find this a very fascinating subject - I've found several research articles looking into the presence of bacteria in RC teeth, and most studies suggest that the sterilization process does not clear tooth of much bacteria... My endodontist mentioned that he had had several RCs as a child due to a hockey accident...he still has all of them - I guess some people are less susceptible to complications than others?

Hi PriME,

The tooth numbering system may be different in Canada.

I can tell you without any hesitation that all root canaled teeth become chronically infected and that is due to the anatomy of the tooth and having no access to the tiny canals to remove the nerve tissue. It is also due to the fact that all teeth require blood as nutrition in order to remain healthy. During the rc procedure, the blood vessel that feeds the tooth is severed meaning the tooth is no longer fed nutrition. This process progresses into necrosis and ischemia in the surrounding bone and tissue of the tooth.,.... and beyond.

Healthy teeth that have been root canaled, meaning those that were traumatized but treated immediately with a rc procedure may have a longer "retainment" in the bone than those teeth that are already infected prior to the rc procedure. The reason being is due to the lack of pathology at the time of the root canal. However, as with all root canaled teeth, the necrosis will occur as I have explained above.

In the case of your dentist who had a hockey accident as a child and received several root canals... he may very well still have some of those teeth at this time. This is due in part to the fact that he was a child, the tooth may not have been fully formed yet AND there was no infection prior to the rc's. However, I would venture to say he has had those teeth re treated and/or had apicoectomies done. Neither of which "cure" the bacteria that is now residing inside those tiny canals.

Some people who have very healthy immune systems, no chronic health conditions, no chronic stress, eat very wholesomely and have impeccable dental health may "retain" their rc teeth without obvious symptoms longer than those in a different category. But the end result is unfortunately the same.... the teeth are what they are and there is no procedure to "cure" the problem.

Bryanna

Ugh, this is just SO ridiculous. How is possible for my nose to be STILL plugged ONLY and consistently in the left nostril?
I went back for an X-ray yesterday from the original dentist who referred me to the endodontist to get the root canal and he said there was no sign of infection around that tooth.

So could the cleaning of the canals during the root canal have led to infection into the sinuses? Like it's actually ridiculous how clear my right nostril is, in comparison to my left.

I guess I can continue breathing through my mouth until winter is over and people believe me when I say I don't have a cold ... I don't know if the removal of the tooth will help with the sinus though? I guess once that source of infection is gone..

simply unbelievable there may be potential hazards of root canals and the general public is completely blind to those assertions.

the medical field does not seem to think this is a relevant issue. however, the documentation seems to be very credible.

I realize losing a tooth is never what someone wants to hear,, but if it potentially jeopardizes health its a very easy decision.

seems like more organizations would get involved to make the public aware.

new to all this so not sure what to think. I too just had a root canal and kinda felt the same as far as too late to say no.

haven't had the root canal crowned yet and was considering retreatment with ozone therapy but that sounds like its no guarantee there either.


if I had known all this I would been flossing religiously.

How do you feel after it? Which tooth was it?

Both my brother and his wife have had root canals, and they don't have any issues after it, per se, so I don't really know...I mean, some people may just be more sensitive to changes in their body, I don't know.