I have an old root canal tooth that my dentist says has a furcation involvement. The gums around the tooth are swollen, and pus sometimes oozes out. I am worried about losing the tooth. I don’t want to disturb it unnecessarily. What should I avoid? Thanks. Seth from WA

Seth,

Pus around a tooth is a greater concern than furcation involvement. It reflects an active infection that must be controlled to prevent further bone loss. Furcation involvement is significant but does not automatically mean the tooth is failing.

Gum Inflammation vs. Infection

Puffy or bleeding gums usually indicate inflammation caused by plaque bacteria and often respond well to professional cleaning and diligent home care. Pus indicates a deeper, more serious infection in a periodontal pocket that you cannot clean on your own.

Treatment depends on remaining bone support. Some teeth benefit from surgical therapy to allow ongoing cleaning, while others may not be savable if support is too compromised.

Root Canal Outcomes Are Predictable

Root canal treatment removes infection without threatening a tooth’s longevity when healing progresses as expected. The dentist removes infected pulp and seals the space. If the treatment fails, infection usually returns at the root tip within the first few months. Once the tooth heals, relapse does not occur.

Managing Furcation Involvement

Furcation involvement means that bone loss or gum recession has exposed the area between a molar’s roots. This complicates home care but often leaves enough bone—sometimes 80–90%—to keep the tooth stable.

Dentists typically recommend specialized brushes designed to reach into the furcation area. Success depends on daily plaque control:

• Clean the furcation thoroughly every day
• Ask your dentist for guidance and proper tools
• Use a small brush specifically designed for this purpose

 

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post. Read about what Dr. Finley and his team do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.