WORRIED

I HAVE A CROWN THAT IS ABOUT 3 MONTHS OLD AND ABOUT A MONTH AGO STARTED TO NOTICE AN ODOR THAT IS COMING FROM AOUND THE MARGINS OF THE CRWN.  I HAVE BEEN ON ANTIBIOTICS AND ANTIBOTIC (antibiotic) RINSES AND NOTHING HELPS.  I HAD TO PRETTY MUCH BEG TO HAVE MY DENTIST REMOVE AND REPLACE THE CROWN.  AM I HAVING HER DO THE RIGHT THING?  OR WILL I JUST HAVE THE ODOR COME BACK.  THERE IS NO PAIN AND THE GUMS AREN'T SWOLLEN.  WHAT TO DO????

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

You should definitely not have an odor eminating from the crown. This usually indicates that the crown is not fitting correctly and that the oral bacteria is causing this offensive odor. I think you are doing the correct thing for the situation.

[INFORMANT]

SO I HAVE HAD THE DENTIST REMOVE THE CROWN TODAY AND SHE SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTING WRONG WITH THE OLD CROWN.  THE ODOR THAT I HAD BEEN HAVING IS MYSTERIOUSLY VANISHED.  WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT THE ODOR WILL COME BACK?  I HAVE ALSO HAD A ROOT CANAL ON THIS TOOTH AND THE DENTIST SYAS THAT THERE COULD BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT???  ALTHOUGH I DO NOT HAVE ANY PAIN.