?infection in tooth?

Question

I had a root canal done on a painful tooth on Monday morning after a filling failed. I was still having a lot of pain from the tooth yesterday, it felt like a pressure inside the tooth and I couldn't really bite on it. Today when I was eating my breakfast I got a really bad taste in my mouth and discovered that the temporary filling had fallen out. I've still got a horrible taste in my mouth coming from the tooth but it doesn't hurt half as much now that the filling's come out.

It seems to me that I might have had an infection in the tooth and now the filling's come out it's draining into my mouth and causing the bad taste.........does that sounds possible?

And what should I do now? I'm due back at the dentist on Friday to have a permanent filling put in the tooth, should I wait until then or do I need to go back and have the temporary replaced before then? Also, does it sound like I need antibiotics?

Answer 1

this is a common sequelae of root canal, what has happened is there was a bit of infection still present which drained out when the filling fell out, once the full cycle of treatment is completed then you will be ok and very likely you would need antibiotics as well

Answer 2

I experienced this situation myself, and it was truly the worst pain I've ever felt, even worse than getting a wisdom tooth out. You're probably gritting or grinding your teeth because of the pain, and that's making your whole mouth hurt. Here's what to do: For your pain right now, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or generic) is the absolute best painkiller for dental pain, because it's the most effective at reducing the inflammation. And when you do have the tooth removed, take a couple of ibuprofen before you even leave the dentist's office, and take a couple more, every few hours. Anbesol or Orajel, applied directly onto the sore tooth will also really help to numb the pain temporarily. Your dentist is correct that a nerve which is inflamed cannot be numbed. If your tooth is cracked all the way down, it may also be pinching the gum &/or nerve, which is adding to the inflammation and, therefore, the pain. The antibiotic will help to clear up any dental infection, but if the tooth is pinching the gum & nerve, then the only remedy is to remove the tooth. Since the area won't respond to freezing, this makes the procedure much more difficult. In my case, even with FIVE hits of the most potent form of Novocaine during the procedure, I felt everything. Now, a sensible person would have said, "Since it can't be frozen, the only thing to do is to put the patient completely to sleep with a general anesthetic, so she won't feel a thing." However, my dad (who was there with me) had a friend who had a general anesthetic at a dentist's office and died in the chair, in the 1950s. Even though it was so long ago, and procedures are much better now, he was still paranoid and refused to allow me to be put completely to sleep. And I was in such pain, it never occurred to me that, because I was over 18, I could have insisted on it myself, although it would have meant having to come back a couple of days later for the procedure. In your case, if the area is still so inflamed that it can't be frozen, you should insist on having the work done by an oral surgeon who offers general anesthesia. Just be sure you go in with a totally empty stomach (no food or drink, not even water, for 12 hours before), and have someone drive you to & from the appointment. In the meantime, use Orajel/Anbesol and ibuprofen. I know from my own experience that they really will help. And try to think of how wonderful you'll feel when that tooth is finally out and not hurting any more.

Answer 3

If you have an infected tooth, you need first antibiotic, before the dentist can go further and do a permanent filling.
Give a call to your dentist and inform him from this urgency.
I'm just in the same situation.

Answer 4

Defiantly go back to the dentist, now!!!! Dont ring up, just go down there when your not buzy and ask to be seen as son as possible! An infection can lead to the tooth needing to be removed! Dont forget to ask your dentist if you may of been allergic to any materials in that temporary filling, there may be some in the permanent that tha would be terrible!!!!

Answer 5

Yes. Call your dentist and have something done with your tooth. Maybe they can recommend you do something until your next visit If he/she cant accommodate you because of the holiday, See someone else as an "Emergency Patient". Friday is a long wait for your tooth to be openly exposed to bacteria like that. Wouldn't you agree?

Answer 6

Call the dentist's phone number now. If you get the answering service, they can pass along a message to the dentist. Emergency numbers are usually announced on an answering machine also. If it turns out it can wait, fine, but at least you'll have a professional opinion.

Answer 7

I say call your dentist's office asap and inform them of what is going on, they can answer your question better than anyone and if there is an infection, you must take antibiotics before any more work can be done anyway!

Answer 8

You should call your dentist, let him/her know what is going on. There is possibly still an infection there. It is draining, your body is trying to get rid of it. They will probably give you an antibiotic.

Answer 9

go to the dentist ASAP

when u don't have the temporary filling for to long you could get serious problems with that tooth

Answer 10

its sounds like an infection. i have had several infections in my wisdom teeth (as i am waiting for the to be taken out) and i can tell when an infection is coming on by the taste in my mouth