infected tooth Archives - Cornerstone Dentistry

Options for a Tooth Infection

Posted on March 2, 2021 by writeradmin.

I had a tooth which had a filling. It had been bothering me for a while so I decided to have it looked at. He told me the tooth is infected and I need to have it extracted. I wanted to know if extracting the tooth is the only option or if there are other things that can be done which will allow me to save the tooth. It a lower second molar.

Philomena

Dear Philomena,

In most cases, you have options as to what to do with an infected tooth. However, if you are on a government-funded dental care plan, they will only allow the cheapest option. In that case, removing the tooth is the only option unless you want to pay it out of pocket.

If the tooth is infected and you want to save the tooth, which is always recommended, then I would suggest a root canal treatment. Not only does this allow you to save the tooth, but because it is likely the inside tissue is dead it will be more comfortable for you than an extraction.

One thing that bothers me about this is your dentist did not give you any other options. He is under an ethical obligation to do so. I don’t understand why he didn’t unless he is just lazy and does not like putting forth effort to save teeth.

After your root canal treatment, it may be recommended that you get a dental crown. This is because a root canal can make a tooth a bit brittle and this will help protect it.

If you decide to extract the tooth, you will want to replace it. There are also many options for that as well. The best replacement is a dental implant. But, you can also get a dental bridge or a removable partial denture.

This blog is brought to you by Sugar Land Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.

Broken Tooth

Posted on February 16, 2021 by writeradmin.

A few years ago, before I had a fully functioning adult brain, I broke a back tooth. I was too poor and too interested in having fun to do anything about it. Eventually, I decided I should at least check on it and found that half of it was missing. It didn’t hurt (and I was still poor) so I decided to leave well enough alone. Fast forward a year and the rest of the visible part broke off. There was still the underneath part (I think it’s called the root). Again, no pain so no worries. Recently, though, it has started hurting fiercly. When I look at it, I can see a hole. Is this something I should worry about or will it resolve itself.?

Casey

Dear Casey,

You have an infected tooth. Under normal circumstances, a dentist should try to save a tooth with a root canal treatment. Unfortunately, because of the state of this tooth, that will not be possible. Your only solution at this point is to have the remainder of the tooth extracted.

You won’t want to leave an empty place there, however. Even adult teeth are in motion and the adjacent teeth will begin to shift and tip into the empty space. This can throw off your bite, which can lead to a lifetime of pain and TMJ Disorder. In order to prevent the teeth from shifting, you will need to fill that spot in.

The best tooth replacement is a dental implant. You can see an example of one in the picture above. It surgically places a tooth root. Then, when the bone has integrated with the implant, a dental crown is placed. This is completely secure and the closest thing to having a healthy natural tooth in that space again.

Whatever you do, please don’t put off treatment. Your jaw is very close to your brain, heart, and lungs. If a tooth infection is not dealt with in a timely matter, and it continues to spread, it could infect one of those major organs.This is one of the reasons tooth infections are considered dental emergencies.

This blog is brought to you by Sugar Land Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.

Sinus Perforation with a Tooth Infection

Posted on December 21, 2020 by writeradmin.

I had a molar extracted. Four days later, I called letting them know there is a popping sound in the right side of my nose, which is the side of the extraction site. That is when they told me there was a small sinus perforation, which they described as routine. They suggested I take Sudafed, which I did. By the next day, I had a 102-degree fever. They called me in an antibiotic, but by day 10 of this, I was getting worse instead of better. I called asking for a referral to n ENT, which they provided for me. Should they have to pay for this?

Carol

Dear Carol,

Your dentist has not handled this properly. I’m disturbed by the fact that they didn’t tell you about the sinus perforation with your tooth extraction until four days later. Even then it was only because you called and told them there was a problem. There is a standard treatment for this type of thing, which does happen sometimes. In most cases, with the right course of treatment, it is no big deal and heals quickly.

First, they should have informed you right away and asked you not to blow your nose for a few days in order to aid healing. There is also a biocompatible resorbable sponge they can pack the area with called, Gelfoam, which will help the tissue to regrow sooner.

When healing doesn’t take place, it can mean there is a piece of bone that not only broke through your sinus cavity but was left there. This can lead to infection. I suspect this is what happened in your place.

Going to an ENT is the right course of action for you. It also sounds like you may be on the wrong antibiotic. The infection should be healing by now. When you call the ENT, let them know what is going on so they can write you a new prescription for the proper antibiotic. You’ll want to get this under control before it turns serious.

Additionally, I would insist your dentist pay for this treatment that is now required. If he doesn’t do that, let him know you’ll be in touch with the dental board. That should sober him up and help him see how reasonable you are being.

Tooth Replacement Options

At this point, I do not have confidence that your dentist has given you all the correct information here. As such, you should know that it will be important you replace your missing tooth as soon as possible. With an open space in your jaw, your adjacent teeth will eventually start to shift or tip into the open space. When this happens it can lead to painful TMJ Disorder and expensive orthodontics. Replacing the tooth now will save all of that.

Your top two tooth replacement options are a dental implant (that best option) or a dental bridge (the second-best option). Though, there are times that second-best is a good idea if you already have a tooth adjacent to the missing tooth needs a dental crown already.

If you decide on the dental implant, please make sure your dentist has the training to do this properly. Too many dentists do not, which is one of the reasons implant procedures are one of the leading causes of malpractice suits.

This blog is brought to you by Sugar Land Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.

Options for an Infected Tooth

Posted on September 30, 2020 by writeradmin.

A month ago I had a filling placed on a lower second molar. It bothered me every day since and I was taking daily ibuprofen just to get past the pain. I told my dentist I felt like I needed to come back in. He did an x-ray and said the tooth now has an abscess and I need to have it extracted. Is there another option?

Brandon

Dear Brandon,

Whether you have options will depend on whether you are on government-funded insurance or not. If you are on something like Medicaid, then they don’t give you options. You do the cheapest solution or pay for it yourself. In your case, that would be an extraction. This may be why your dentist only told you about the extraction. However, a dentist is supposed to give you all your options, in my opinion, that would include the ones where your insurance doesn’t cover things.

The best solution for an infected tooth, especially a lower second molar is a root canal treatment. This will help save the tooth. Plus, the tissue inside the tooth is dead. This means it would be less traumatic to have a root canal treatment as well.

There are financial considerations with an extraction even if that is what your insurance wants. If you save the molar, you don’t have to replace it. If you extract the molar it will require a false tooth be placed there, such as a dental implant. That will cost even more money.

My suggestion is you get a second opinion on this tooth. I am actually a little suspicious that the original filling wasn’t done correctly and that is why he is anxious to pull the tooth.

If it does turn out the tooth cannot be saved and you replace it with a dental implant. I want you to be certain the dentist who does the implant has significant post-doctoral training in placing them. For instance, Dr. Thomas is a Fellow at the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). This means he not only has advanced training but has recognized skills. Implant placement is an advanced skill that requires post-doctoral training. There are horror stories from patients who had them done by inexperienced dentists.

This blog is brought to you by Sugarland Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.