about 6 weeks ago i had an absess dome up in my mouth.....i went to my dentist and she put me on antibiotics.....they did help,but didnt get rid of it so she gave me 2 more lots.....she said that if they didnt work then i would have to lose the tooth as it has already had a root filling.
i finished the tablet a couple of weeks ago and although the absess is only small it still hasnt completely gone and every 4 or 5 days i am popping it.....it isnt sore......is there anything else that can be done or am i doomed to lose the tooth?
2006-07-22 08:22:08 · 15 answers · asked by julie w 2 in Health ➔ Dental
That or a root canal, you don't lose your tooth.
2006-07-22 08:26:17 · answer #1 · answered by Diana 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
antibiotics will never fix a problem like that!
The reason you have an abscess is because your root canal filling has failed. Previously the nerve in the center of your tooth was removed and a material packed in the hollow part inside your tooth (root canal).
There are various reasons why a root canal will fail, but in the end when it does, it is because bacteria is started growing around the filling that has replaced your nerve.
Basically your root canal filling has become a bacteria factory.
Antibiotics will only treat the symptoms of the problem.. it helps reduce infection coming out the end of your tooth from the root canal bacteria factory. The antibiotics doesn't actually get inside the tooth to kill the bacteria that is causing the problem in the first place.
It is possible in some cases to save these teeth by redoing the root canal filling. The success rate is quite low however in the hands of a general dentist. I WOULD consider asking for a referral to an endodontic specialist to have it assessed. They would be better at it because they do root canal fillings all day every day, so theoretically they should do a more consistent job.
Of course though if you can't afford that option then perhaps removing the tooth is the way to go... just take into consideration however, the cost of replacing the tooth with other things as well.
2006-07-22 10:04:29 · answer #2 · answered by BouncingMolar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You still have infection. With my last abscess which was excruciatingly painful, my dentist refused to give me a second course of antibiotics when the first didn't work, he said that it was pointless so I had to have the tooth pulled with a raging abscess that prevent the anaesthesia from working.
Many years ago I had something very similar to you and the dentist saved my tooth by performing something called an 'apexectomy' (not sure if that's the correct spelling). Basically they removed part of the root of the tooth from within the gum level and 20 years later, I still have my tooth! Hope that my experiences have helped you.
2006-07-23 21:16:47 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to loose the tooth. Ask your dentist to refer you to an endodontist. This is a specialist in root canals. Then ask him/her about apicectomy (cutting off the tip of the root through an operation) or redoing the root canal. These will get rid of the abscess in the process.
This is the right way forward as antibiotics alone cannot do the job.
2006-07-26 02:31:35 · answer #4 · answered by byam64 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could request a re-root tratment and an apicectomy if the root treatment fails agian. I have the same problem and am currently waiting for the oral surgery department at the hospital to assess me for an apicectomy, which is where they treat the infection from the top of the tooth in the jaw. If you are happy to try everything you can to save the tooth then go down this route otherwise you will have to have it extracted.
2006-07-26 00:17:04 · answer #5 · answered by Victoria R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had tooth split and ended up with root canal filling due to an abscess, all was well.
then at Easter the next year it started to hurt, so i called the dentist out, since the affected tooth was in the front of my mouth i did not want to loss it. so i was given antibiotics and was refer ed to have the top of the root remove and the area where the abscess filled, the result i still have the tooth. so may suggest you ask your dentist about the removal of the root tip. i hope you get this sort soon.
2006-07-25 03:25:06 · answer #6 · answered by DARLENE C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure why a root canal can't be done so you don't lose the tooth but, either way, you need to have the tooth taken care of. Have a persistent infection is very bad for your body and you're much more susceptible to anything that's going around. The tooth is not going to get better and will most likely get worse again..
2006-07-22 08:28:59 · answer #7 · answered by clarity 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way to get rid of an abscess completely is to get rid of the source of the infection (root canal) but since you have already had one you could get a consultation with an endodontist and see if he could do a proceedure where they can remove the tip of the root. I would try that first before I got the tooth pulled.
2006-07-22 10:39:08 · answer #8 · answered by jojo8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it keeps absessing then there is a problem with the tooth and you should want to lose it. The anti-bios are to help with the infection before they pull it so it doesn't get into your blood stream when they do. Go see another dentist, get someone who is going to solve your problem not prolong it.
2006-07-22 08:27:42 · answer #9 · answered by kittykat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teeth can be saved almost without exception.
Tell your dentist you want to save the tooth no matter how much work needs to be done.
See what they say, or try another dentist.
2006-07-22 08:27:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋