Aa
Lt Maxillary Pain w/ headaches & eye pain
I had a root canal on #14 due to a dead nerve. No infection was found. The endodontist drilled thru a crown that was on the tooth. One week later the left side of my face started swelling, my eye reddened and was tearing. I was put on Clindomyacin for an infection----that was now seen on the x ray. The antibiotic worked great, swelling & pain went away. Now that I am off the antibiotic---the pain is returning, left maxillary, eye pain & head aches---no swelling at this time. My medical doctor ruled out sinus infection & migraines. My endodontist---said it may be a cracked tooth & may need to be extracted. Can the crack be confirmed before extraction? What are any other possibilities?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Often times, a fractured tooth is a diagnosis made by excluding other possibilities such as infection. In some cases, the fracture may be identified directly under magnification while the root canal is being completed, by radiograph, or by transillumination whereby a fiberoptic light source is directed thru the tooth.
In my experience, the "crack" cannot always be identified before extraction.
Another possibility is the presence of an infection in the maxillary jaw bone adjacent to the tooth root(s). Antibiotics do not cure these infections in many cases and a procedure called apicoectomy (root surgery) is necessary to attempt to save the tooth.
The decision for Apicoectomy vs. Extraction should be may by you after consulting with a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who routinely performs these procedures. They will be able to provide you with realistic expectation and long term success probabilities.
Be advised, the apcioectomy long term success rates for tooth #14 given your history of symptoms is between 50-70%.
Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.
In my experience, the "crack" cannot always be identified before extraction.
Another possibility is the presence of an infection in the maxillary jaw bone adjacent to the tooth root(s). Antibiotics do not cure these infections in many cases and a procedure called apicoectomy (root surgery) is necessary to attempt to save the tooth.
The decision for Apicoectomy vs. Extraction should be may by you after consulting with a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who routinely performs these procedures. They will be able to provide you with realistic expectation and long term success probabilities.
Be advised, the apcioectomy long term success rates for tooth #14 given your history of symptoms is between 50-70%.
Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm sorry that I didn't have the opportunity to reply earlier. I'm not being notified when there are postings to this forum. I agree with Dr Kirsch. If you are seeing evidence of an infection on the x-ray you may be a candidate for an apicoectomy (reverse root canal). I would first check with your endodontist as a lot of them perform apicoectomies routinely. If they aren't comfortable with the procedure you can consult an oral & maxillofacial surgeon to consider that treatment. The decision on undergoing an apicoectomy versus extraction/dental implant should be made after consulting with your dentist and endodontist or oral surgeon. Good luck.
Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.
Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.
A related discussion, maxillary jaw surgery was started.
Thank you for your help. I feel better equipped to talk with my endodontist next appointment.
You are reading content posted in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Forum
If you suffer from frequent headaches, jaw clicking and popping ear pain, you may have TMJ. Top dentist Hamidreza Nassery, DMD, has the best TMJ treatments for you.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
