Cavity to potential root canal?
 

Hi! I'm new here but I've been reading the forums to get some info about my situation.

In september I had a cavity filled, that the dentist said was very deep and sitting very close to the nerve. The cavity itself was very surprising especially since I visit the dentist twice a year. They filled the cavity and it was fine, but then I had some throbbing pain, which they gave me antibiotics for. That went away and I didnt have any more issues.

Two days ago, I noticed a whitish bump under that tooth - kinda like a pimple. I did a salt water rinse and chewed on some raw garlic. There was no pain.

Today I went back to the dentist to have him take a look at it and also get my retainers adjusted. He took another x-ray and said he thinks that it's a fistulous tract and prescribed me penicillin vk. He said the infection will go away but it will still come back and recommended that I do root canal therapy.

Based on the forum here, I've gathered that root canals won't fix the issue and the best option is extraction. What I'm wondering is - do I need to get a second opinion? I'm okay with an extraction as long as the issue can be fixed. What does one do about the gap? What are the pros and cons?

I'm only in my early 30s and really didnt expect this to be happening!:(

Thanks for all your help!
Lynn

I forgot to mention that this is tooth 29.

Hi joylen,

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

I am going to re post some of your thread and answer in bold type afterwards.

<<<In september I had a cavity filled, that the dentist said was very deep and sitting very close to the nerve. The cavity itself was very surprising especially since I visit the dentist twice a year. >>>

IF YOU WERE HAVING BITEWING XRAYS ONCE A YEAR AT YOUR HYGIENE VISITS, THIS CAVITY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MISSED. IF YOU WERE NOT HAVING THESE XRAYS, THEN THE DENTIST WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE IT CLINICALLY UNLESS IT WAS BLATANTLY VISIBLE.

<<<Two days ago, I noticed a whitish bump under that tooth - kinda like a pimple. I did a salt water rinse and chewed on some raw garlic. There was no pain. >>>

THE BUMP WAS MOST LIKELY A FISTULA AS YOUR DENTIST DIAGNOSED. THE REASON THERE WAS NO PAIN WAS BECAUSE THE FISTULA ACTS LIKE A RELEASE OF THE PRESSURE CAUSED BY THE BACTERIA. IF THE FISTULA DID NOT FORM, THE AREA WOULD HAVE MOST LIKELY SWELLED UP.

<<<He took another x-ray and said he thinks that it's a fistulous tract and prescribed me penicillin vk. He said the infection will go away but it will still come back and recommended that I do root canal therapy. >>>

EXACTLY... A FISTULOUS TRACT. THIS IS THE RELEASE OF BACTERIA. THE INFECTION ORIGINATED INSIDE OF THE TOOTH AND NO, IT WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE ANTIBIOTICS MAY TEMPORARILY SUBSIDE THE INFLAMMATION BUT THE INFECTION WILL REMAIN IN THE TOOTH AND IN THE "TRACT" AS THE BACTERIA FLUSHES THROUGH TO THE FISTULA. WHILE ON THE MEDS THE FISTULA MAY STAY THE SAME, BECOME A BIT SMALLER OR LARGER.
YOUR ONLY OPTIONS ARE TO ROOT CANAL OR EXTRACT THE TOOTH.

TO ROOT CANAL IT MEANS YOU WILL RETAIN AN UNHEALTHY TOOTH ALONG WITH A CHRONIC INFECTION, ETC.
TO EXTRACT IT MEANS TO REMOVE THE SOURCE OF THE INFECTION.

BECAUSE THIS TOOTH HAS DEVELOPED A FISTULA, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU SEE AN ORAL SURGEON IF YOU DECIDE TO EXTRACT IT BECAUSE THE "TRACT" IN THE BONE WILL HAVE TO BE DEBRIDED VERY THOROUGHLY AND MOST GENERAL DENTISTS DO NOT ROUTINELY PERFORM THAT PART OF THE SURGERY.

REPLACEMENT OPTIONS SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH YOUR DENTIST. IF YOU ARE GOING TO CONSIDER HAVING A DENTAL IMPLANT, YOU SHOULD ALSO GET THE OPINION OF THE ORAL SURGEON AS TO THE HEALTH OF THE BONE.

I'm sure you are shocked by these recent events and perhaps you could ask your dentist if anything was suspected on your previous x-rays or noted in the chart as a "watch" on tooth #29.

I hope this information is helpful to you. Please continue to read and inform yourself about the consequences of root canaled teeth.

Please keep us posted.
Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna! I do get the xrays every year, since it is covered by my insurance. Which is why it was surprising, cause I not only had 1 cavity, but 2!
I'll look for an oral surgeon and keep you guys posted! thanks!!