Root infection caused by trauma many years ago..??

Since last Wednesday I had a SEVERE tooth ache, and on Saturday morning I woke up to find my face swollen to the size of a balloon. Unable to put up with the pain until the Monday - as I was originally planning to do - I went to an emergency out of hours dentist on Sunday. He carried out some surgery which involved drilling into the back of my tooth and draining all the infection out of it, I'm now on anti-biotics.


I asked him what caused the infection and he said it was related to an accident I had when I was about 10 where I broke my two front teeth (as well as numerous other parts of my body). My question is how does this happen..? He said something about it lying "dormant" for years then coming back to haunt me. He operated on my right canine tooth, is there anything I should do to prevent the infection coming back? (Such as going for a root canal :S?). Any insight would be nice.





Cheers, Bruver

Root infection caused by trauma many years ago..??
If he "didn't complete the root canal," then yes you will need to see your dentist to have it finished. He opened the tooth, allowing it to drain the pus and infection built up at the apex, the treatment needs to be finished by continuing your antibiotic therapy and seeing your dentist to complete the RCT and fill the opening, or it will become infected again.





Yes, this is common for injured teeth to feel fine after a trauma, for years with some, or others may never blow up, then for others, years later they will abscess such as yours has.





It sounds like the dentist you saw treated you accordingly, by opening the tooth and oral antibiotics, now you will need to follow up with your dentist to finish the root canal procedure.





Additional information: Yes, continue the antibiotics, and in the meantime, schedule an appointment with your regular dentist. The emergency dentist may have only opened the canal, removing the pulp or nerve, leaving an area for the infection to “drain from” rather than allowing it to build again. The canal will need to be enlarged; this is done by using small endodontic files. Once the length of the canal is determined and is enlarged, cleaned and free of any live tissue, it will then be filled. This is very similar to an ordinary filling, except this is completed on the inside your tooth, where the pulp once was enclosed and a different material is also used. You will possibly need a crown placed on this tooth in the near future. Your dentist will determine if this is necessary or not. Try to relax; I’m sure you’re dentist will take good care of you. Just finish the antibiotic and you can also take 600mg of Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours; to ease any swelling, inflammation and help reduce pain associated with this treatment.





Let me also rephrase my comment earlier, regarding a tooth abscessing many years later after suffering a trauma. Usually when this happens or occurs, a tooth has subsequently suffered a traumatic blow of sorts, this is what causes irreversible damage to the pulp. Look at it this way, the tooth will struggle to survive after being traumatized from an accident, and for years, it seems to be doing fine. Then years later you sustain a slight blow or hard tap, as simple as taking a drink hitting the tooth with the glass slightly hard and you think nothing of it. The tooth reacts to this excessive stimuli, but can not recover from another jolt, even a slight one. So from there the tooth starts to abscess or the nerve begins to die. This is most likely what has happened to you. Trust your dentist; he will take excellent care of you and this tooth.
Reply:Glad to be of help. Report It

Reply:hi,


i wish to get some more info in regards to your problem before i could make the right comment,still after reading your message i don't think an accident can cause so severe infection after so many years,well still it depends whether the accident was a bad one.Well the best judge will the Doctor who is treating you now,for unless an oral examination is done no Doctor is give a proper statement...


Wish to conclude telling that to please follow the instructions given by your dentist and complete the treatment,and to prevent any future dental problem please maintain a good oral hygiene by brushing at least twice daily and visiting your dentist for a regular check up once in 6-8 months..


Dr.George Jeevan


Jeevan Dental Clinic


georgejeevan@yahoo.com
Reply:go to your dentist, it will just get worse