Is a Tooth Infection Dangerous?
I had a broken molar. It was doing okay but now my mouth hurts and now my cheek has started hurting. I took some antibiotics I had left over from a throat infection, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. One of the guys at work said that leaving it is dangerous, but I don’t have dental insurance. I don’t really feel like spending a ton of money if it is not dangerous. It hurts, but I can live with it. So, is it really dangerous?
Danny
Dear Danny,
I’m afraid your friend at work is correct. Untreated tooth infections are dangerous. In fact, people die from untreated tooth infections every year. This is because antibiotics alone do not cure a tooth infection. This is why you weren’t having any luck with the antibiotics you used. Though, I’m a bit concerned about you having leftover antibiotics. I don’t know if your doctor told you this but when you are prescribed antibiotics it is important you finish the entire amount even though you will be feeling better much sooner, often within twenty-four hours.
The most antibiotics can do is temporarily hold off the spread of a tooth infection. The only way to truly treat an infected tooth is to remove the infected pulp. There are two ways to do that. The first is by having a root canal treatment done. This is normally the best course of action because it will save the natural tooth structure.
If that isn’t possible than the second way to treat the infection is by extracting the tooth. That does mean you will need to replace the tooth. Otherwise you risk the adjacent teeth shifting or tipping into the empty spot. This will lead to bite problems and possibly TMJ Disorder. While a dental implant is the best tooth replacement, I know you are on a limited budget. Your dentist is ethically responsible for sharing all the options with you.
Get to a dentist. This infection you have is spreading. It’s already up to your cheek. You don’t want it spreading further and reaching your brain.
This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Thomas Goebel.
Will She Lose This Tooth?
A few years ago, I had an accident that broke off half my tooth and led to me needing a root canal treatment and dental crown of my lateral incisor (the one next to my front tooth). It was fine until recently, where I’ve had some pain on and off. I went to see my dentist who said he didn’t see anything wrong. I insisted there was, so he sent me to an endodontist. The endodontist said the pain is probably coming from the tooth next to it, but he doesn’t see anything on the x-ray. His theory is that I’ve probably been putting pressure on it while I sleep. I feel like no one is taking me seriously and am worried I’m going to lose the tooth. If I did, would a dental implant work for someone my age? I’m 32. If I do lose it, should the dentist pay for the replacement?
Angie
Dear Angie,
I’m glad you wrote. I don’t know why your dentist and endodontist found this challenging. You had serious tooth trauma a few years ago. It is highly unlikely that the adjacent teeth were not impacted by that. If you had a root canal treatment, then the crowned tooth would not be having the pain. On a back tooth there can be tricky canals, etc., but a lateral incisor would not be complicated. Because of that, the endodontist’s idea about it being referred pain from another tooth makes sense. However, I don’t agree with the pressure thing.
It is more likely that the tooth was damaged at the time of the original accident and is just now showing the signs. This is actually quite common, so that is what puzzles me about your care givers not considering that possibility.
If they don’t see anything on the x-rays at the moment, then I don’t think this is a dental emergency and would not stress about it. Instead, just have some x-rays done every couple of appointments to keep an eye on it. The most likely scenario is that at some point this adjacent tooth will also need a root canal treatment.
Nothing you’ve described makes me think that you are in danger of losing your tooth. But, if you ever do lose a tooth, then, yes, a dental implant would be an excellent tooth replacement. In fact, it is the best tooth replacement.
This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Thomas Goebel.
Dental Implants and Diabetes?
I lost a tooth and need to replace it. I asked my dentist about a dental implant. He hinted that because I have diabetes, I may not be the best candidate for it. I guess that means my best option is a dental bridge, but was hoping to avoid this. Is there any way for a diabetic to get a dental implant with some special procedures?
Carl
Dear Carl,
I am glad you wrote. A dental implant is a great choice for a tooth replacement. Having diabetes does not mean that you cannot have a dental implant, but there are greater risks. You won’t need any extra procedures in order to get it, but it will be important that you have extra diagnostics and careful care and observation throughout the procedure.
You will want to make sure you have someone with a high level of expertise and training in dental implants do your procedure. Dental school is not enough. You want them to have post-doctoral training in placing them as well of a success rate of at least 95%.
The fact that your dentist was steering you away from implants tells me that he is not as comfortable. Do not pressure him into it. This is an advanced procedure and you have more risk factors than most. You do not want him in over his head and you ending up with a dental implant horror story.
It is totally acceptable to go to another dentist to have the implant done, while your family dentist still oversees your normal dental care. If the dentist who you decide on sends you to an oral surgeon for the placement, it is extremely important that your implant dentist determines the placement and not the surgeon. Don’t do it the other way around.
I hope this helps. Don’t short cut the diagnostics.
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Can a Maryland Bridge Be Attached to Two Implant Crowns?
I have two dental implants, both on back molars. Until recently, the tooth before them was healthy. Now that one needs to be extracted. Would it be possible for me to place a Maryland bridge between the two implant crowns?
Dave
Dear Dave,
While technically you can use a Maryland bridge between the two implants, I would not recommend that option. First, to properly place a Maryland bridge your dentist would have to cut grooves into the crown, as shown above. Second, the best bond you can get is when you affix the wings to natural tooth enamel. The bond to the porcelain will not be as strong. I do not think that your bridge will hold long.
So, what do you do? Ideally, your dentist would have anticipated that you could lose the tooth between the two implants you already have. Then he would have aligned the implants in a way where you could unscrew the two adjacent dental crowns and affix a traditional bridge to the two implants. If that is not possible, then I would see if you can get an additional dental implant in the spot. If you’ve only recently lost that tooth, then there should still be enough space to fit another implant.
There are other options if that doesn’t work, such as a removable partial denture or even a dental flipper. Obviously, though, the ideal will be the implant, so start with those options. Either way you do need to replace the tooth with something. If you don’t it will throw off your bite. In addition to jaw pain, headaches and bite problems, you could end up with TMJ Disorder.
This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Thomas Goebel.