Tooth abscess and the infection is spreading

[ZeyadAhmed]

Hey I have a tooth abscess (two teeth), my dentist has been working on it for almost a month now and he just told me it's starting to spread.

I'm taking antibiotics and he injected the root with antibiotic as well. But the infection got worse.

He told me he might have to pull the tooth which is scaring me. Is there anything I can do to kill the infection or prevent it from spreading?

I don't smoke nor drink.

Thank you.

 

[Dr M]

Good day

Has he started a root canal treatment on both teeth? What antibiotics did he give you? Are you still in pain or swollen around the area?

 

[ZeyadAhmed]

Yes he started a root canal treatment about 2-3 weeks ago. At first he didn't give me any antibiotic.

So the next time I went he gave me Flagyl + Tarivid 200mg.

The last time I went (2 days ago) he discovered that the infection is spreading and gave me Flagyl + Averozolid 600 mg.

The swell decreased a lot (a small bump) and there is virtually no pain.

 

[ZeyadAhmed]

Good day

Has he started a root canal treatment on both teeth? What antibiotics did he give you? Are you still in pain or swollen around the area?

Thank you for the reply. Yes he started a root canal treatment about 2-3 weeks ago. At first he didn't give me any antibiotic.

So the next time I went he gave me Flagyl + Tarivid 200mg.

The last time I went (2 days ago) he discovered that the infection is spreading and gave me Flagyl + Averozolid 600 mg.

Since yesterday, I've been doing salt water rinse + bicarbonate water rinse + crushed garlic clove on the affected area.

The swell decreased a lot (a small bump) and there is virtually no pain.

 

[Dr M]

I assumed he started the root canal on both. If not, then he has to initiate root canal treatment on the other tooth as well. During the first step of a root canal, nerve tissue as well as blood vessels are removed. The tooth is rinsed out and then a medicament is placed in the canals. If all the tissue wasn't removed or if the infection was very severe, this step has to be repeated, before the root canal can be completed.
The dark areas around the root tips on the x-rays, sometimes take 3 months to clear up. Sometimes even longer. Don't be alarmed if you still see dark areas around the tooth/teeth.
If the swelling has decreased and the pain has subsided, this is then an indication that the treatment is working. The root canal treatment can then be finished.
There is however some extensive bone loss around one of the teeth. You can see the bone levels dropping. This might be due to the infection, but it could also be due to a condition called periodontitis. If more than 2/3rd's of the bone is lost around a tooth, it has a poor long term prognosis and then unfortunately an extraction is the only option left. Periodontitis is something that has to be treated by a periodontist, which is a dental specialist. It might be worth seeking the advice of a periodontist, to evaluate the long term success of that tooth, as well as the condition of your other teeth, and then he can advise if a root canal treatment ( which can be expensive) is worth your while on that tooth.

 

[ZeyadAhmed]

I assumed he started the root canal on both. If not, then he has to initiate root canal treatment on the other tooth as well. During the first step of a root canal, nerve tissue as well as blood vessels are removed. The tooth is rinsed out and then a medicament is placed in the canals. If all the tissue wasn't removed or if the infection was very severe, this step has to be repeated, before the root canal can be completed.
The dark areas around the root tips on the x-rays, sometimes take 3 months to clear up. Sometimes even longer. Don't be alarmed if you still see dark areas around the tooth/teeth.
If the swelling has decreased and the pain has subsided, this is then an indication that the treatment is working. The root canal treatment can then be finished.
There is however some extensive bone loss around one of the teeth. You can see the bone levels dropping. This might be due to the infection, but it could also be due to a condition called periodontitis. If more than 2/3rd's of the bone is lost around a tooth, it has a poor long term prognosis and then unfortunately an extraction is the only option left. Periodontitis is something that has to be treated by a periodontist, which is a dental specialist. It might be worth seeking the advice of a periodontist, to evaluate the long term success of that tooth, as well as the condition of your other teeth, and then he can advise if a root canal treatment ( which can be expensive) is worth your while on that tooth.

Thank you. Yes he did perform the root canal on both teeth. Though I don't know if he removed all the tissue.

I was alarmed that the dark areas are the main problem I should look at. I didn't know it can take up to 3 months to disappear. So thank you for clearing it up for me. Do you recommend I go to an endodontist or a periodontist? or both?

 

[Dr M]

You can go to an endodontist as well. He should also be able to determine if the tooth can be saved. It is important that a periodontal exam also be done. This can be done by your normal dentist.