Root Canal Infected Gum (Periodontist Advice)
 

Hi Bryanna,

I'm a first time poster and seen that you have been very helpful in your posts so I was wondering if I could have a shot. I just got a root canal done on my front tooth (tooth #7) I think and now 2 days later I have very painful gum inflammation on the gum behind the tooth (don't know how to explain it). I went back to the dentist today and he said the gum needs to go under surgery under a periodontist. However, the periodontist for that dental office is only available on the 22nd (almost a month away!) I can't even eat at the moment. I was prescribed medications of ratio-lenoltec and apo-amoxi. When I asked him if this was a result of the root canal he got really defensive and said the root canal was done fine and then attacked me for not having the root canal done earlier. I was aware I needed a root canal done but I couldn't afford it as I am just a full-time student. I am in very much pain at the moment and unsure what to do. Do you think the gum inflammation will go away on it's own through the use of the medications, is it wise to wait for the periodontist for almost a month? Any insight would help, clearly from your past posts you will definitely have some helpful insight. Thanks in advance!!

Hi terribleteeth,

The inflamed gum is infection coming from the tooth but it may also indicate that the infection is in the jaw bone. The root canal procedure is not able to cure the infection inside of the tooth because there is no access to the hundreds of tiny canals inside of the tooth. The only canals that can be cleaned out are the large ones that are visible and big enough to get into with the instruments. So the tiny canals will always contain dead infected nerve tissue. It does not matter how well or how poorly the root canal procedure is done, there is no procedure that can cure an infected tooth. The root canal is done to retain an unhealthy tooth for an uncertain amount of time. The only alternative is to have the tooth extracted.

The surgery the dentist is talking about does not alter the status of the infection inside of the tooth so it will not solve the problem. As long as the tooth is present, the infection will be present. The only way to try and cure the infection is to remove the source which is the tooth.

I know this tooth is in the front of your mouth and you want to try and keep it. But unfortunately this tooth cannot be made healthy again and the infection will continue to spread. Perhaps you can speak to your dentist about replacement options and then you can decide what you feel is in your best interest.

If you want to learn more about root canaled teeth you can do a personal search or read about them on the link I am providing. I have no personal affiliation with this dentist. I am only offering the information ....
http://naturaldentistry.us/category/...l-controversy/

Bryanna

Reply- Periodontist advice
 

I too have a certain gum problems. My parents are planning to take me along to the periodontist of Clearbrook Clinic in Oshawa to consult my dental issue. i’m terrified how terribleteeth have undergone root canal and now facing terrible gum inflammation. I wonder, will i have to confront such pain after the oral treatment.