post systemic dental infections

Dear Doctor,  17 years ago I had a masctomy and the removal of 46 lymph nodes.  I have never had any swelling in my left arm.  Four weeks ago I had a broken crown replaced and my arm swelled up one week prior to having the permanent crown replaced.  I went to my regular general practice doctor and he doubted the connection but put me on Amoxicillin.  The swelling went down significantly, but the day the new crown was put on the swelling got a bit worse and the dentist put me on Keflex for a week.  Although again the swelling never completly went away, it was much better.  Now two weeks after the finishing of Keflex the swelling has returned.  It appears to be an infection in my first two fingers on my left hand and also in the metatarsal area just behind them.  The whole arm is slightly swollen and I am worried about it.  I will go see my g.p. again today, but I know he has no clue what to do.  What can you suggest?  sincerly su

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

This is a new on me. I have never seen or heard about this type of reaction from the placement of a crown.I would certainly look into the vitality of the nerve of that particular tooth.