Is it right for a dentist to seal your tooth during a root canal, even when it hasn't stopped draining?

Question

Hi there,

I had a root canal done on Monday. Had one before, so I wasn't worried. My tooth is very infected. I was scheduled for an hour appointment. When my hour was up, he sealed my tooth, even when there was much more to be drained. Is this normal?

I woke up in the middle of the night in agony, I have taken T3's and Advil to help w/ the pain. Also I swelled up like a chipmunk, which he said might happen. Saw him again on Wednesday because of the swelling, he put me on antibiotics.

I am not schedule for my next root canal until Febuary, but I am concerned because I am going to be flying in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for reading.

Answer 1

He must have had a reason. Best to ask him why he did.

Answer 2

I am undergoing root canal number 13 right now. My dentist does it the old fashion way. Opens the tooth to drain for several days with no filling and then for several visits after he continues to clean out the root and treat it with meds and then seals it permanently. This one I am going for the first treatment today. It has been open for a week since I had such a terrible infection and swelling. Its still draining and Im hoping closing it today wont be an issue. I have had it done before where I had to go back and have it reopened to drain more due to a build up of infection. If it doesnt go down I'd definitly call back in and find out the best thing to do. The course of antibiotics may work. Remember they can take up to 72 hours for results. I found some advice on the web that helped me. I was putting ice packs on and the antibiotics werent working. A dentist online said in many cases the ice causes the blood vessels to restrict to stop swelling but at the same time it also stops the good blood flow which is carrying the antibiotics to the infection from getting there. I quit using it and the swelling went down. Coincidence or not I dont know...but it seemed to make a difference.

Answer 3

He probably sealed to keep out any food particles that could get inot the nerves and that would hurt so bad you'd be floored by it. If your not sure he's doing the right thing get a second opinion, call another dental office and expain it. I'm a bit surprised he did the root canal while you had an ongoing infection, normally you should have had a course of antibiotics to lessen the risk of an abcess or the swelling you decsribed. Call another dentist. When I had a root canal we did in three sessions and he prescribed two weeks of antibiotics for me. It hurt when it was being done, but I refused any freezing because it wouldn't help a nerve no matter what anyone thinks and I didn't want any extra holes in my mouth from the huge needles they use. Mine went really well three hours of ouch is better than nights of it. Second opinion and make sure your antibiotice are strong enough to fight any infection in their. Good luck my heart goes out to I know how painful and scary dental work can be. All the best

Answer 4

I have had several root canals, and the dentist just put in a temporary filling until I was ready to have the actual root canal. But he did give me antibiotics, because I had an infection. They cannot do the root canal until the infection is gone. That is why they drained your tooth, but I am surprised that he didn't drain it all the way. However, the antibiotics should take care of it - you may need more than one prescription before you go back for the root canal. I went to Wisconsin one year to my daughter's after they started my root canal and gave me antibiotics, and I did not have any problem with it. When I got back three weeks later, they finished me up and I was just fine. Good luck.

Answer 5

Take the antibiotics, that should take care of any infection. I have had that problem before. If you don't feel better after taking the meds for 3 days, call the dentist, but don't stop taking them even after you feel better until they are all gone.

Answer 6

If he knew your tooth was infected antibiotics should have been prescribed immediately. GET A NEW DENTIST! I have had a similar experience.

Answer 7

mine hurt for like 3 days after when i had it done. I was told it is because the root takes time to die. they should have but have used a temporary filling

Answer 8

standard. not my favourite approach yet its effortless. The cotton will be bumped off.. its in there to make it extra common to work out the right of the basis canal filling cloth at the same time as they go in to do the in simple terms proper restore.

Answer 9

It does not sound right to me - You should make a appointment with another dentist