I had a root canal over 3 wks ago which had an abcess. The abcess is still there. How long before I worry?

Question

I had a root canal over 3 wks ago which had an abcess. The abcess is still there. How long before I worry? When I had the root canal dentist said it should go away within a few weeks. She came highly recommended. It's been over 3 wks, it hasn't even gotten smaller. I had some pearcing pain today. Not like before the RC but it's something. I'm scared.... When should I worry. I go in next week on Wednesday for my crown and I was told by my friend who is an RDA not to do it until the abcess is gone.

I was on antibiotics for 2 wks before the RC and for one day after....then my prescription ran out. So.... I am so upset about this. I am still hoping it will go away and not be a bigger issue than it should be. I'm really scared.

I currently have a temporary crown which is just the build up. It's there to prevent my teeth from moving and also to protect the investment of the root canal. I don't want to be alarmed....I just don't want to worry if I don't have to. I called my dentist today, didn't hear back...my appointment is next wednesday. I'll call again tomorrow.

To those of you who had an abcess.... Did any of you have an actual bump on the outside of the gum? That's what I have.

TO THE DENTIST: THANK YOU... IT WAS THE UPPER #4 WHICH SHOWED ONLY 1 CANAL IN THE XRAY.

I want to thank everyone for your input. I'm very upset about this happening. I was terrified to go in...I had anxiety...I was sick....feeling like passing out...I finally got myself in...did the RC and here I am with it seems to be another problem. It's depressing. Now I have to go through the anxiety all over....not to mention that I am reluctant to do anything after all this. My pain is not horrible...it's when I have been biting down for too long that I get a dull pearcing pain. It isn't like before the RC.

Answer 1

ANGELINA,
YOUR RDA FRIEND IS MOST CORRECT TO WAIT UNTIL THE SIGNS OF THE ABSCESS HAVE DISAPPEARED BEFORE THE FINAL CROWN IS PLACED.
IF THIS TOOTH WAS A FIRST UPPER MOLAR, THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF A PREVIOUSLY UNDETECTED 4th CANAL.
THE ABSCESS SHOULD HAVE GONE DOWN IN SIZE FOR RCT TREATMENT 3 WEEKS AGO.
GO BACK AND FIND OUT WHY THIS ABSCESS HASN'T DECREASED.

Answer 2

omg, don't get the crown! I'm fighting a mess now, I had an abscessed tooth too and they told me it would get better, I wound up on antibiotics before the canal then after, I was scheduled for the crown too and it hurt so bad, I complained to my DDS went in and the infection had worsened to the point it was and still is to an extent eating my cheek bone, I had the tooth pulled and am on antibiotics for a month, plus I got this dry socket thing that hurts so awful, I had to go back and have the space packed with meds and have to go back every few days. It's been awful! My advice to you is get to the DDS tomorrow, do not delay it, 3 weeks is a long time and it could be spreading that may be why it hurts. Do not put money into a crown, have the DDS do a full scale xray where they do all your teeth, jaw, cheekbone, it's a revolving xray and they can see everything. If you crown it, you'll seal the infection in and have a mess.

Answer 3

See a dentist NOW: Among the reasons, is the possibility of the infection spreading through the bloodstream to the heart valves and damaging them. This is not something that occurs slowly - it is an all or none phenomenon. Thus, there is no way to know if it will spread ahead of time or when it might spread.

Answer 4

you can get antibiotics from the ER that will get rid of the infection in time for your crown. it won't clear up on its own fully, you need antibiotics. plus your dentist won't do the crown if you have an infection there, unless he/she is a complete twit. and also the ER will give you pain killers too for the pain. I went there for an abcess before and they sent me home with antibiotics and loritab..

Answer 5

time to call the dentist that did the root canal..my friend had to be on antibiotics for weeks and weeks for an abcess..be patient..but first, call that dentist..you shouldn't be in that much pain

Answer 6

I would worry now. Didn't you get an antibiotic before the root canal?
Call that quack first thing in the am.