HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Is Root Canal The Method Of Treatment For Tooth Infection?

I had a boil, non painful on my upper gum at the upper right incisor for 4 days. When at the dentist yesterday, it opened and has yellow pus, he started me on antibiotics and suggested a root canal for that #8 tooth. The XRay of the tooth didn't show anything. He says the drainage & swelling surrounding the tooth are indicative of infection. Is a root canal my only option? Won't I also loose the tooth? I have just completed invisalign treatment for that tooth and don't want to loose it. Please advise and thanks.
Mon, 24 Oct 2016
Report Abuse
Dentist 's  Response
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain in case if you have a non painful boil over the gum that drained pus seems to be probably due to gum boil or gum abscess and as the x ray did not reveal any abnormality as well as there is n pain in tooth, then the chances of tooth related infection causing dental abscess are rare..

Root canal treatment is advised if there is tooth related infection and not fr gum infection..

I would therefore suggest you to consult an Endodontist and get evaluated and a thorough clinical evaluation and x rays from different angulations has to be done to rule out the exact cause and treated accordingly..

In case if it is not due to tooth infection and is due to gum infection then Scaling and curettage will be advised..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.


I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer


Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
Is Root Canal The Method Of Treatment For Tooth Infection?

Hi.. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns.. As per your complain in case if you have a non painful boil over the gum that drained pus seems to be probably due to gum boil or gum abscess and as the x ray did not reveal any abnormality as well as there is n pain in tooth, then the chances of tooth related infection causing dental abscess are rare.. Root canal treatment is advised if there is tooth related infection and not fr gum infection.. I would therefore suggest you to consult an Endodontist and get evaluated and a thorough clinical evaluation and x rays from different angulations has to be done to rule out the exact cause and treated accordingly.. In case if it is not due to tooth infection and is due to gum infection then Scaling and curettage will be advised.. Hope this information helps.. Thanks and regards. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.