What can I due about a gum boil that didn't respond to treatment?

Question

I have a gum boil (fistula) due to a failed root canal on a tooth that's a support for a front bridge. Had it treated by drilling through the tooth & cleaning out the infection, but it didn't take. I still have the fistula & it's worse. Endodontist said the tooth has a fracture so bacteria can still get in. I sat in her chair three times, paid a grand & the infection's
worse than before. Hurts now too. Always aware of it. Annoying and a fear of bone loss. And her & my dentist say the next step is to pull the tooth, lose the bridge & get implants? Like I got that kind of money.
Needless to say I'm not happy. Couldn't she have cleaned out the infection and sealed the fracture? My dentist sealed the temp filling the Endo put in and said nothing should get through. But if there's still infected space there? My feeling is the endodontist did a sloppy job and missed all the infection. Am I wrong in thinking that? Can I try again to get the infection removed? Any other alternatives?

Answer 1

Your dentist and endodontist are absolutely right. There is nothing that can be done to a tooth with a root fracture. This is something that can happen when a tooth has a root canal OR the tooth had a fracture in the whole time and if small, is undetectable unless you keep getting reinfected. It's a big bummer, but it happens sometimes. Your dentist or endodontist probably did great work and this is just the luck of the draw. Your other alternative to getting the implants is a partial, but they are not the best. Talk to your dentist about what else can be done. Sorry.

Answer 2

Yours is not a good situation. I've worked with Endodontists and saw this happen every once in a while.
The only thing that you can do is have the tooth extracted.
The tooth fractured at some point, and the fracture allows bacteria to get into the tooth.. It can't be sealed. It will just continue to become infected.
Bridge-Implant-or Partial Denture are your options.