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I have a question about an upper tooth. It was infected. My dentist gave me some antibiotics about two and a half months ago. My tooth still doesn’t hurt. I have an extraction scheduled for a month away. But, if the tooth isn’t hurting any more, do I still need to have it extracted?
Avery
Dear Avery,
I have some concerns about what you shared. First, your tooth is still infected because the infection wasn’t treated yet. There are only two treatments for an infected tooth. First, a root canal treatment. This is usually what you would want because it would preserve your tooth. If that isn’t possible, then the second option is to extract the tooth. Neither of these happened, so the tooth is still infected.
It is feeling better now, sure, but it will flare back up. That’s a big problem. Not only is it likely to come back stronger, but it impacts the treatment. Your infection needs to be under control before having work done. If there is any puss when the upper tooth is treated, it will interfere with the Novocain.
What should have happened, is that your dentist performed a root canal treatment or extraction while you were still on the antibiotics, leaving enough for a few days after the procedure. To wait over three months is inconceivable to me. If your dentist could not have done the work in time, then he or she should have referred you to someone else. If getting a root canal treatment, your dentist could have referred you to a endodontist, which is a root canal specialist. If it was an extraction, then referring you to a colleague would have been the right thing to do.
If your tooth starts hurting at all, call your dentist back and tell them you need urgent dental care. Have them refill your prescription, making sure to prescribe you enough to get the procedure done before it runs out. If they can’t do that ask for a referral.
You do not want to allow this infection to spread. People still die from tooth infections left untreated. If you have any type of dental anxiety, look for dentists who offer sedation options near your area.
Bear in mind, if the tooth is removed, you will need a tooth replacement after your tooth extraction heals.
This blog is brought to you by a caring dentist in Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. John Theriot.