Hidden Abscess

I Have neglected my teeth for a while, and am in the process of getting them all fixed.  I had a bunch a cavities filled, scaling, root planning, preventative root canal (tooth was not abscessed) with crown. I still need 2 crowns upper right, and one crown lower right with a few more cavities filled.  My dentist says there is no signs of dental abscess, but I have been having a lot of bad symptoms that seem to be getting worse.  I feel really ill all the time.  All my teeth hurt, It comes, and goes for what seems like no reason at all. My face feels tight, and puffy sometimes. My eyes burn. I get headaches, and sensitivity to light.  Its like my whole face is on fire, and my mouth is going to explode. I think I have a serious problem that is being blown off as cavities.  I have had many cavities, wisdom teeth extracted, periodontal grafts, root canals, and nothing compares to the pain, and general ill feeling I have right now. I have been seeing my dentist for a long time, and I trust his opinion. This problem is not just cavities. I also get this nasty puss taste in my mouth, and I have this lump on the roof of my mouth that feels like it swells up sometimes. It is off to the right of my hard palate above the gum line. It looks red and swollen. It is in the same general area of the two upper teeth that I need crowned.  I have had those teeth X-rayed, and there was no abscess.   I had a hole in my heart closed in august 2009 and I take preventative antibiotics for all my dental work because of risk of infection.  I have been having these kinds of symptoms since November 2009.  I am worried I have a dental infection spreading  from neglected dental work, that was complicated by a mis-diagnosis. Sorry for dragging this on, and on.

Does a tooth abscess ever not show up on a X-ray?
Possibly draining out before X-ray is taken?
draining into roof of mouth or sinus?

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Well, even if the symptoms aren't so severe you need to go to the ER, it would be a good idea to find out whats going on most importantly to make sure this chronic situation doesn't worsen  or cause any permanent injuries/damage.  

Can you find your local dental society and see what dentists are you in your area who may see you on an emergency basis or who may have some additional training in oral pathology.  Have you seen a periodontist?  They specialize in the gums/bones of the jaw.

[pr10334226]

I have felt terrible sense November 2009
No one has done a single thing that has helped me

I have a appointment with my dentist scheduled for 04/13 to get some more dental work done. I am going to ask him about this then as well. I would just call, but he is out of the office until next week.

List of doctors I have seen
GCP
Cardiologist
Neuerololgist
2nd  opinion from new Nuerologist on April 26th
ENT
Eye Doctor
Dentist
Endodontist

List Of Tests Taken
2 MRI
CT Scan
                MRA
4 Rounds Of Blood Tests
EEG
3 TCD
3 Echo’s
TEE
Kings Heart Monitor
Holter Monitor
                Dental X-rays
                Pano X-rays

Hole in Heart Completely Closed
The only med I am taking is Asprin 325mg a day which I am supposed to be reducing to 81mg

I still get one sided numbness, and stroke like symptoms.  My nuero thinks its migraines.  That is weird because I did not have migraines before they closed the whole in my heart.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Well, it seems like you went through a whole list of specialists and a large battery of tests.  Have you gone to an oral pathologist?  

A dental abscess may not be apparent on an x-ray but with a chronic infection, I'm sure that your dentist or endodontist can find some signs or symptoms of it.  Plus you are taking antibiotics which would normally at least help slow down the infection and relieve some of the symptoms.  You may want to go to another dentist to get a second opinion on the dental work possibly.  

[pr10334226]

No I have not seen a oral pathologist.  I am not on antibiotics now just the day I go to the dentist.  It has been about 3 weeks since my last dental appointment.  My mouth I really feel sick, and I don't think I am going to make it until tues.  I am still not sure if this is a dental, or medical issue.  My dentist is out of town until next week, so I haven't been able to reach him.  Which leaves me two options ER, or find a emergency dental clinic?  How do you decide where to go? and When should I be concerned enought to go?

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

I wonder if you're sick either from taking too many antibiotics.  What was the frequency of the antibiotics you were taking and was it the same antibiotic each time?  

[pr10334226]

I take 4 amoxicillan an hour before each appointment. I saw my dentist yesterday he said the spots on the roof of my mouth are probably just a virus, and it should go away in 7-14 days. I don't know if I buy that because I have had those lumps up there for a little over 4 weeks now. I know I did not damage the roof of my mouth with food.  I haven't seen a perio yet either, because my gums are feeling much better since my Hygenist started doing the scaling & root planing.  The symptoms I am having every day are dizziness, fatigue, sensitivity to light, burning eyes, extremely dry lips, stiff neck, lumps on my hard palate, bad taste in mouth, tightness in my face(sides of jaw towards the back), one sided sore throat(same side as lumps), sinus infection symptoms sometimes, and every once and a while it feels like pus or some foul liquid draining through my teeth.  I know it is hard to even guess without seeing a patient sorry. I'm thinking a second dentist, or my regular doctor maybe?  I just have all these problems, and I don't know who to see.  It sounds a little more like a medical issue then a dental issue. I  would be grateful for any suggestions. Thank you again, and I understand if your running out of ideas.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

I would still look into seeing an oral pathologist or an oral medicine specialist to see if they have any idea whats going on.  Sometimes they can find symptoms in the mouth and body and can put it together.  Obviously you're asking in the dental forum so you feel there's a possible cause or major symptom which could provide a clue as to what you're experiencing.  

[pr10334226]

Thanks a lot for the advice

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Hope they figure it out soon.  Keep me up to date.  

[pr10334226]

A related discussion, Fistula was started.