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Can I Take Leftover Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I had a huge filling on a decayed top left molar early last year. The dentist filled the tooth because I could not afford a crown. Since that time, I’ve only been to the dentist for cleanings because I did not have dental insurance. The tooth with the filling is starting to hurt, and my dentist said I would need a root canal soon. I still do not have dental insurance and cannot afford to pay for a root canal and crown out-of-pocket.  I have antibiotics from my primary care doctor that I took for a UTI. If it seems that my tooth is infected, is it okay to use the leftover antibiotics to take care of it until I can get the tooth pulled?  If the tooth hurts, how much longer do I have before I need it pulled? I want to save money from a few paychecks for the extractions. Thanks. – Eliana

Eliana,

Diagram with five steps during root canal treatment, including, numbing the tooth, determining canal length, widening and cleaning canals, filling canals, and restoring the tooth.

Only root canal treatment can clear a tooth infection

A dentist needs to examine your tooth to determine if it is infected. You should schedule the exam right away. Antibiotics will not make the infection go away. Root canal treatment removes a tooth infection. And after root canal treatment, antibiotics will keep the infection away. But your dentist will decide if you need antibiotics.

If you do not have dental insurance, look for an emergency dentist who accepts forms of payment other than dental insurance. Many dentists accept credit cards or offer payment plans or financing. Leaving the tooth untreated will lead to more expensive problems, like an infection that can spread to other teeth or your bone.

Even if you are considering a tooth extraction, please see a dentist promptly to discuss your options.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post.

Why Did Root Canals Fail on Three Teeth and Require Dental Implants?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Since 2021, I’ve had three teeth that needed filling, root canals, and extractions. If my dentist continues this pace, I lose almost half my teeth in ten years. How is this possible? I brush and floss and keep dental cleaning appointments. Still, I’ve spent thousands of dollars on fillings, root canals, extractions, and dental implants. It’s been challenging to save money.

I’ve gone from my dentist monitoring two teeth to needing fillings. Then, the two fillings fell out after a few months, with the dentist saying that the cavity was too deep and I needed a root canal. The recurring issues concern me.

How do I know whether I’m experiencing poor care or if I have an underlying health issue that is leading to all these extractions? Should I insist on a refund, even if it takes an attorney to get it? Thank you. Ishmael

 

Ishamael,

Although one of our dentists would need to examine and x-ray your teeth, we will offer some suggestions. It is unusual for a patient with diligent oral hygiene, regular dental exams, and cleanings to need multiple root canal procedures. Regular checkups should detect early signs of decay so a dentist can treat it. However, you’re experiencing the opposite.

X-ray of an unrestorable tooth

X-ray of an unrestorable tooth with deteriorated pulp, courtesy of ToothIQ.com

If a dentist watches a tooth vulnerable to decay and declares it unrestorable on the next visit, they may be negligent. X-rays and a sharp explorer can detect problems with the tooth, and the dentist should intervene. Even if a dentist is watching a tooth with an old filling, the decay should not progress fast enough to damage the tooth pulp and root. That’s an issue that a dentist should catch.

When a dental filling falls out and leaves a tooth exposed, it is fair for you to be suspicious about the quality of your dentist’s work. Additionally, if the dentist’s solution is root canal therapy, which fails, and then a dental implant, you should consider getting a second opinion from a skilled dentist.

It will be challenging to get a refund from your dentist. We suggest switching dentists. Ask them to examine your history of X-rays and determine whether your previous dentist misdiagnosed your case or recommended treatment you didn’t need. If another dentist finds a blatant issue, you can tell your previous dentist that you will report the issue to the dental board. You can also leave negative online reviews.

Although your concerns may not be worth hiring an attorney to get a refund, they are finding a new dentist to preserve your teeth and oral health.

David Finley, DDS, a Metairie, 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.

Why Do I Need Root Canals for Healthy Teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

African American woman portraying concern over root canal treatment for a seemingly healthy tooth.Since 2018 I have used a sonic toothbrush and water flosser daily. Dental hygienists complement my oral hygiene habits, even the hygienists at my current dentist.

I switched to a new practice in late 2019, and since then, the dentist has found three “cavities” that he filled. Last spring (2022), one of the fillings fell out, and the dentist said I needed root canal treatment. Nothing about the tooth looked or felt unhealthy, but I trusted the dentist.

In November 2022, when I returned for a dental cleaning, the dentist said he needed to watch my upper left second bicuspid because it may need a root canal. I cannot read x-rays, so how do I know if the tooth is problematic? The dental hygienist was quiet when the dentist told me about a possible root canal, and she didn’t say much to me after the dentist left.

Now that the holidays are over, I will look for a new dentist. Is it possible that my teeth are decaying and getting infected despite my thorough brushing and flossing? I don’t know what to expect when I switch dentists. Thank you! Krystle

Krystle,

Thank you for contacting Bayou Dental Group. We understand and share your concerns about your dentist’s diagnosis.

Can Healthy Teeth Need Root Canal Treatment?

It is unusual to develop deep decay in a healthy tooth that leads to root canal treatment, especially when your oral hygiene habits are thorough. Your hygienist and dentist should detect signs of decay during your dental cleanings and exams. Still, a healthy tooth may develop decay and eventually require root canal treatment in these cases:

  • A tooth cracks
  • You experience trauma to your mouth or face that affects a tooth
  • You take a prescription medication that causes dry mouth and leads to decay

What Happens to a Tooth If a Filling Falls Out?

If a tooth filling falls out, it may be an old amalgam filling that recedes from the tooth and leaks in bacteria. The tooth beneath the filling can decay and need root canal treatment without prompt care. However, when a new filling falls out, faulty dental work is often the cause. Still, a dentist should be able to replace the filling without root canal therapy.

How to Switch to a New Dentist

Before you switch to a new dentist, take these precautions:

  • Ask your current dentist for a copy of your dental records and x-rays.
  • If you have dental insurance, check for plan providers first.
  • Look for cosmetic dentists with advanced training in procedures such as root canal therapy, dental implant surgery, and restoration. According to a study published by Regenstrief Institute, the lifespan of a root canal tooth that gets filling or crown afterward is about 11 years. A dentist who understands root canal therapy and implantology can help you assess your long-term oral health.
  • Schedule consultations before choosing a dentist. You can see the office, meet staff members, and discuss your concerns with the dentist.
  • Use your consultations, patient reviews, and recommendations from friends and family to help you choose a new dentist.

Monroe, Louisiana, dentist Dr. David Finley sponsors this post. Dr. Finley is an accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. Please read about how he, Dr. Henderson, and Dr. Coughran strive to offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Will I Need Another Root Canal?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Woman portraying the need for tooth removal for failed root canal treatmentMy 2018 root canal on my lower right molar went smoothly, but since June this year, the tooth has hurt daily. Within the past week, I have taken ibuprofen daily to concentrate on work. The timing of this toothache is in the middle of my plans to leave town next week. How urgent is this issue? I don’t want to say I don’t have time for another root canal, but please tell me if I should see a dentist this week. Thank you. Haley from NH

Haley,

Thank you for your question. One of our dentists would need to examine and x-ray your tooth to determine the issue, but we can explain what is probably happening.

What Can You Do About Pain in a Root Canal Tooth?

If you feel pain in a tooth that had root canal treatment years ago, we recommend promptly scheduling an appointment with a dentist. You have symptoms of root canal failure, but only an exam and x-rays can confirm that.

Is Root Canal Failure Common?

Root canal failure occurs if a dentist does not entirely remove the infection. Although a tooth may initially feel better, the infection will eventually recur. Sometimes, a dentist cannot see curvy tooth channels, and the disease will remain. Unless a dentist has advanced training in root canal therapy, they probably do not have instruments that access deep channels in the teeth. Your dentist may refer you to a root canal specialist (endodontist).

What Is the Treatment for Root Canal Failure?

Repeat root canal treatment or surgery is the treatment for root canal failure. After taking an x-ray of the infected tooth, an endodontist will use specialized tools to remove the infection and then sterilize the tooth. An apicoectomy or root canal surgery is sometimes required to access the root tip through your bone.

An endodontist will evaluate the condition of your tooth and determine whether it is savable or must be removed and replaced with a dental implant. Please do not delay treatment to prevent the situation from escalating.

 

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.

Can I remove a loose root canal post before replacing the filling?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

In 2017 I had a root can on my top left, second molar. I have severe dental phobia and probably could have prevented the root canal if I had gone to the dentist sooner. The dentist sedated me for the root canal. It went fine, but I have not been to a dentist since. Last week, the cap fell off the root canal tooth. I can see a metal rod in the tooth, and it is loose. Can I remove the rod, or will it fall out by itself? I bought some DenTek tooth filling material from the drug store. I would hate to go back to a dentist and get sedated if I do not need to. Thank you – Jason from NV

Jason,
Thank you for your question.

What to Do When a Root Canal Filling Falls Out

Root canal filling seals saliva out of your tooth and prevents reinfection and root canal failure. If you leave the tooth untreated, fluid and saliva will leak into it and loosen the root canal filler material. When root canal filling falls out, a dentist must replace it. You would need repeat root canal treatment to save it.

A temporary root canal filling material from a dentist can protect your tooth. But don’t use DenTek. Your tooth may already be irritated, and you can make it worse. A dentist will recommend a dental crown, which you can get later.

What About Removing a Root Canal Post?

Putting a metal post and filler material lasts for several years but eventually loosens, as you have experienced. If a post is showing in the tooth, please do not remove it. Removing it can damage the filler material and increase the risk of needing repeat root canal treatment.

See a Dentist Instead of Self-Treating

A young woman lying in a hammock that is tied to palm trees alongside the ocean; for information on how relaxing sedation dentistry should be.

Explain your anxiety level to the dentist, and he can offer the appropriate level of sedation

Schedule an appointment with a dentist right away and explain your anxiety during dental appointments. The dentist will use a level of sedation to match your anxiety. We hope the dentist can save your tooth with the existing root canal treatment. But delaying getting the hole sealed—or trying to take care of it yourself—will make your tooth worse. And it can become painful.

David Finley, DDS of Monroe, LA, sponsors this post.

I can’t start Invisalign because of pain in my new crown

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I was supposed to start Invisalign in mid-May, but my dentist delayed it because of some lingering crown pain. In February, she removed the decay and placed crowns on three bottom left molar teeth. One of the teeth has intense pain if I chew anything crunch. My dentist shaved the tooth twice. Now she says that the way I chew must be causing the pain. But I did not have the problem before she placed the crowns. She will not proceed with Invisalign while I have tooth pain, but she cannot seem to figure out what is causing it. Now she says that may I need to wear a night guard for teeth grinding.  I understand her concern, but if she is just guessing and cannot identify the problem, I will have to find a new dentist. I’m trying to chew on the right-hand side of my mouth to prevent the pain. Can you tell me what could be causing the intense pain? Troy from KY

 

Troy,

Thank you for contacting our office.

Dr. Finley would need to examine your teeth and crowns for an accurate diagnosis. But we can explain two common reasons that a new crown can hurt when you chew.

Pain When Chewing on a New Crown

When you feel pain when chewing on a new crown, the bite might be too high, or you may have a tooth infection.

Your bite with a new crown is too high

If your bite is too high, the opposite teeth (upper, in your case) hit it first and harder than your other teeth. The repeated action increases sensitivity in the tooth. As a result, your dentist must adjust the biting surface of your crown. But if your dentist adjusted your bite twice, it is unlikely that your crown is too high.

Tooth infection beneath a new crown

If your tooth is infected, inflammation of the ligament that connects your tooth and jawbone can cause sensitivity. And the sensitivity increases when you bite or chew on the tooth. It can even cause a persistent toothache. So your dentist should x-ray the tooth and look for signs of infection. A tooth infection will require root canal treatment—which you may have already had on the tooth. But repeat root canal treatment might be necessary.

Do You Need to See a Specialist?

Upper and lower Invisalign aligners, available in Monroe, LA from David Finley, DDS

Begin Invisalign after your teeth are healthy

You might benefit from an endodontist’s (root canal specialist) opinion. You can ask your dentist to take the x-ray or refer you to a specialist.

We recommend a specialist for accurate diagnosis and treatment. If your dentist cannot identify the cause of your tooth pain, it will further delay your Invisalign treatment.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, LA accredited cosmetic dentist and Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, sponsors this post.

Are a root canal and crown right for tooth root calcification?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

After my dentist examined my upper right front tooth, she did an x-ray. The tooth is stained, and my dentist wanted to check it out before she did Zoom Whitening. I switched dentists about 7 months ago because my previous dentist didn’t do Zoom whitening. The x-ray shows that the tooth root is getting calcified, so my dentist recommends root canal treatment and a crown. I feel like my dentist is rushing me through the root canal and crown so we can complete the Zoom Whitening. She mentioned Lava and e.max crowns. How am I supposed to know which one to choose? – Thank you. Russ from MO

Russ,

Although Dr. Finley would need to examine your tooth, why is your dentist recommending root canal treatment? If a tooth’s root canals are getting calcified, it doesn’t always mean they are infected.

What Is Tooth Root Calcification?

Tooth root calcification is a condition that reduces the size of the pulp chamber in a tooth. It is the result of extra dentin deposits in the tooth. Sometimes calcification requires root canal treatment.

What Causes Tooth Root Calcification?

  • Traumatic injury – After trauma, a tooth releases extra dentist to protect against infection in its canals.
  • Aging – Tooth canals slowly get calcified as we age.
  • Decay – A large amount of tooth decay can result in decalcification.

Lava Crowns vs. e.max Crowns

Different companies make Lava and e.max crowns. But they both have a lithium disilicate foundation overlaid with feldspathic porcelain. The crowns require aggressively grinding down your natural tooth, which will further weaken it.

Even if you need a root canal treatment, you do not necessarily need a crown on your front tooth. An advanced cosmetic dentist can preserve most of your healthy tooth structure with this process:

  • Remove the root canal filling material
  • Strengthen your tooth with a fiberglass post
  • Place a thin porcelain veneer to correct tooth color
Photo of a woman wearing goggles and reclined in a dental chair with the Zoom whitening LED light over her teeth.

Verify if Zoom in-office whitening will work for you

Although Zoom whitening will brighten your teeth, discoloration from within a tooth needs an alternative treatment. A porcelain veneer can correct it.

We recommend that you get a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist to determine if you need root canal treatment and explain options for concealing the discoloration in your tooth.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, LA, accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

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