BLEEDING SWELLING AFTER ROOT CANAL

[christopher123]

Hi. Had a root canal done 2 days ago. During the procedure the endodontist uses a device as you know that measures the length of the canal and beeps at him when he finds the end of the canal... Well, it didnt beep or find one of them. He tried using all these different sized toothpick needles (the ones used to clean out the canals) and he still couldnt find it. He was having what seemed to be complications. Apparently the roots were super curvy and curved in different directions. Now I have very small amount of gum bleeding and definitely super swollen. Did he get all the bacteria out? How will I know? He also told me to to only take antibiotics if it swells up??? The last time I had a root canal done they told me to take a very specific amount of antibiotics. Also one more thing I should add. During the procedure he was filling the different canals with the gutta percha and everytime he would come across that particular canal (the one that didnt beep at him) it would hurt like hell. That was under 4-5 shots of novacaine mind you. Did this guy not get throughough enough?
Oh boi PLEASE HELP ME.
-chris  

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

If its into the jawbone and literally just in the bone, it should be no problem.  If its the sealer/cement they used to seal the canal when they put in the gutta percha, your body will probably dissolve it in 6 months or longer.  If the gutta percha is out but pushing something its not suppose to, such as your sinus or a large nerve tract, then it can create complications.  You may want to ask your dentist to check your x-rays to see if it is but if it was, I'm pretty sure he would've informed you.

[christopher123]

sorry meant to say "jaw bone" instead of "gum:"

[christopher123]

What kind of complications can gutta percha being injected into the gum cause?
There is a circle of white filling (gutta percha) after the procedure on the x ray and he said "well thats how it filled out at the tip" ...this is scary.. and also do you believe this can cause caitations?

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Do you have any pain now?  I would definitely take the antibiotics first and see if that helps to resolve the issue.  If he isn't able to find the end of the canal, it may be possible that he filled past the end of the root and into the jaw bone (which may explain why you had pain during the gutta percha step).  Nothing to be worried about in most cases.  You can always bring your concerns up with your endodontist and seek a second opinion as well.