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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Infection On Gums Cause Damage To Tooth?

I had a root canal 2 weeks ago. The injection bothered me and seemed to affect the side of my nose. About 3 days later, I felt a tender spot at the injection site, but no pain. The Endodontist suggested it might be an infection and prescribed antibiotics. The site is still tender but still have no specific pain unless I touch the spot (by my nose). I will run out of antibiotics in 2 days. Will I lose my tooth due to an infection that high up on the gum?
Mon, 11 May 2015
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Can understand your concern..

As per your complain if you have tenderness at the injection site it can be due to injury at the injection site while the needle is inserted.
It will slowly heal up and not a serious issue if there is no severe pain or discomfort.

But if you have tenderness on touching the gums just over the tooth on which Root canal is done , there can be infection which is not completely resolved..
Ideally it takes a longer time of about 4 to 5 months for complete resolution of infection and healing but the symptoms like pain mostly disappears in a weeks time or even less once root canal and medicines are started.. If infection is severe it can take more time in complete disappearance of pain and tenderness.

If you are taking a complete course of medicines I don't think that after completion of medicine you will need to take any more medicine as you already are done with root canal treatment as well as you do not have any pain and it is tenderness to touch which will go away in maximum next 7 to 8 days.

Loosing of tooth doesn't seems relevant in your case and hopefully you will have a successful treatment outcome..

If still after a week of completion of medicines you feel pain or the tenderness does not reduce you should consult your endodontist and get an x ray done to rule out the cause for tenderness..

Only in case of failure of root canal treatment you may have relapsed episode of pain and then re-RCT or extraction is left as option..

Hope your query is solved..

Thanks and regards..
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.
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Does Infection On Gums Cause Damage To Tooth?

Hi.. Can understand your concern.. As per your complain if you have tenderness at the injection site it can be due to injury at the injection site while the needle is inserted. It will slowly heal up and not a serious issue if there is no severe pain or discomfort. But if you have tenderness on touching the gums just over the tooth on which Root canal is done , there can be infection which is not completely resolved.. Ideally it takes a longer time of about 4 to 5 months for complete resolution of infection and healing but the symptoms like pain mostly disappears in a weeks time or even less once root canal and medicines are started.. If infection is severe it can take more time in complete disappearance of pain and tenderness. If you are taking a complete course of medicines I don t think that after completion of medicine you will need to take any more medicine as you already are done with root canal treatment as well as you do not have any pain and it is tenderness to touch which will go away in maximum next 7 to 8 days. Loosing of tooth doesn t seems relevant in your case and hopefully you will have a successful treatment outcome.. If still after a week of completion of medicines you feel pain or the tenderness does not reduce you should consult your endodontist and get an x ray done to rule out the cause for tenderness.. Only in case of failure of root canal treatment you may have relapsed episode of pain and then re-RCT or extraction is left as option.. Hope your query is solved.. Thanks and regards.. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.