Is this a jaw infection?
 

Hi- Looking for opinions, please.

Over the past year - 1 rootcanal and 1 extraction- (same tooth)

(Had extraction early November 2013)

Now- huge lump on side of lower jaw where tooth was removed. not painful, but it is uncomfortable. It's hard when I touch my face and there is some obvious facial swelling.

I don't see, feel, or taste anything different.

After reading all these posts, it sounds like it's an infected jaw.

thoughts?

Hi anntay2,

Reading this post along with your former one about this same tooth..... it sounds like you do have an infection in the jaw and it is the same one that you had at that time. It is not unusual for symptoms to subside and then resurface with an oral infection. So it's not that the infection went away and is now new.... it's the same infection.

Sometimes an infection resides in the jaw bone even after the tooth is removed. This is usually due to the infection having been long standing... possibly undiagnosed or misdiagnosed until it was severe. Root canaling a tooth does not cure the infection inside of the tooth and in your case it didn't even give you much reprieve.

It would be best to see an oral surgeon for an evaluation soon.

Please check back with us.
Bryanna

Hi Bryanna - thanks for much for your response! I did call them --- after putting it off way too long and they have me coming in first thing tomorrow morning and have put me on antibiotics.

I do wonder what will happen next though. :confused:

I really do appreciate your input. You seem so well informed from all the posts I've read of yours. :)

I'll let you know what happens....thanks.

Anntay,

Did you see the dentist today? What was the outcome?

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna - Yes, I saw the oral surgeon today. He took xrays and then a full jaw xray -- said he didn't see anything 'out of the ordinary' or scary -(his words) but he has put me on augmentin and I go back in 2 weeks. We shall see, I guess!

My only concern is that I was on antibiotics when I did the initial root canal. (and a subsequent ear infection - not related to this issue) so wouldn't those antibiotics have cleared it up?

Hi anntay,

Thanks for the update :)

I'm a bit confused as to what the oral surgeon meant with his comments especially since he put you on the augmentin. Did he mean that there is an infection and it looks "typical" meaning "the findings are usual for this type of infection"? Did he mean he is clueless as to what the swelling is from and prescribed the rx because ..... why?

Infections vary in their species of bacteria. The only way to know what the specific species is you would have to have a culture and biopsy taken of the bone. Augmentin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that kills a variety of bacterias that are found in commonly occurring infections. So this is often the drug of choice when the bacteria has not been "pathologically" identified. But in dentistry it is generally prescribed ONLY when an infection is suspected.

As far as infection is concerned, it is truly irrelevant whether or not an antibiotic was taken for the root canal procedure or not. The drug will not "kill" the majority of the bacteria that resides inside of the tooth both pre and post op the procedure. The drug is given to temporarily subside the inflammation more so than kill the bacteria. People are often under the impression that the antibiotic and the rc procedure are enough to make the tooth well again. Unfortunately, that is just not the case.

I do hope you get some relief and the swelling subsides. It is best to follow up with the OS and then have this area monitored with one periapical x-ray at your cleaning appointments to catch the first sign if something more is brewing.

Keep us posted.
Bryanna

Hi Bryanna - I bet you knew I'd be back!!! :p

Well, the antibiotic did make the swelling subside.............for a few weeks, but it seems to be back! Lucky me! It also hurts to open my mouth - not that i need to open it wide- but it's painful.

I guess they will have to do something more then prescribe meds...

I don't know what to think anymore. Very frustrated and just want this over.

Hi annatay21,

Thanks for checking back with us.

Please don't wait to see the oral surgeon. If he is not concerned about this, please get another opinion from a different oral surgeon.

Let us know how you're doing.

Bryanna