Questions, Questions

Questions, Questions

If a root canal is done on a molar, and is supposedly successful, but there
is an infection at the root, and penicillin is given and if that clears up,
the post will be placed plus cap.
But I would think the infection could reoccur unless some other procedure
cleans it for good. What is the thinking on this. Thank You,
Gail

Re: Questions, Questions

news.chi.sbcglobal,net wrote:
> If a root canal is done on a molar, and is supposedly successful, but there
> is an infection at the root, and penicillin is given and if that clears up,
> the post will be placed plus cap.
> But I would think the infection could reoccur unless some other procedure
> cleans it for good. What is the thinking on this. Thank You,
> Gail
>
>


Gail--

The short answer is that if there is an active infection at the root
tip, the treatment has not been successful. There can be signs of
infection around a tooth that has had root canal if some infected
material is pushed through the root end during instrumentation.
Antibiotic can help resolve this. However, if these symptoms arise
some time after completion of the root canal there is an indication that
something is wrong--whether due to an endodontic failure or a split
root. You are right that the infection will return when the antibiotics
are discontinued.

Steve

Re: Questions, Questions

How long to wait to see if the complications occur or should the procedure
be abandoned totally.
Gail

"Steven Bornfeld" <dentaltwinmung@earthlink,net > wrote in message
news:13uombdq5ndjs1b@corp.supernews,com ...
> news.chi.sbcglobal,net wrote:
>> If a root canal is done on a molar, and is supposedly successful, but
>> there is an infection at the root, and penicillin is given and if that
>> clears up, the post will be placed plus cap.
>> But I would think the infection could reoccur unless some other procedure
>> cleans it for good. What is the thinking on this. Thank You,
>> Gail
>
>
> Gail--
>
> The short answer is that if there is an active infection at the root tip,
> the treatment has not been successful. There can be signs of infection
> around a tooth that has had root canal if some infected material is pushed
> through the root end during instrumentation. Antibiotic can help resolve
> this. However, if these symptoms arise some time after completion of the
> root canal there is an indication that something is wrong--whether due to
> an endodontic failure or a split root. You are right that the infection
> will return when the antibiotics are discontinued.
>
> Steve

Re: Questions, Questions

Dr. Bornfeld.

I appreciate your attention. Why would the dentist say the root canal is
successful, if there is an infection. An infection always means something
is wrong. Would he be justified to put a cap on the tooth. Very
distressing.
Gail
>
>

Re: Questions, Questions

news.chi.sbcglobal,net wrote:
> Dr. Bornfeld.
>
> I appreciate your attention. Why would the dentist say the root canal is
> successful, if there is an infection. An infection always means something
> is wrong. Would he be justified to put a cap on the tooth. Very
> distressing.
> Gail


As Dr. B. mentioned, it is important to know what time frame is
involved with the 'infection'. If the root canal is just being
done and antibiotics are used to clear up any residual symptoms,
this may be OK.

If the root canal has been performed months or years ago, and is
having more infection problems, I would never rush to place a
crown unless I have retreated the root canal (or had an endodontist
deal with it). Any retreatment would include assessing the tooth
for a cracked root.

The 'fly in the ointment' comes when a tooth is in danger of splitting
or needs a crown to otherwise restore the tooth. I would then place
a stainless steel crown (on a posterior tooth) to hold things
together while waiting for healing instead of moving straight to
a more costly restoration.

Steve

Re: Questions, Questions

Steven Fawks wrote:
> news.chi.sbcglobal,net wrote:
>> Dr. Bornfeld.
>>
>> I appreciate your attention. Why would the dentist say the root
>> canal is successful, if there is an infection. An infection always
>> means something is wrong. Would he be justified to put a cap on the
>> tooth. Very distressing.
>> Gail
>
>
> As Dr. B. mentioned, it is important to know what time frame is
> involved with the 'infection'. If the root canal is just being
> done and antibiotics are used to clear up any residual symptoms,
> this may be OK.
>
> If the root canal has been performed months or years ago, and is
> having more infection problems, I would never rush to place a
> crown unless I have retreated the root canal (or had an endodontist
> deal with it). Any retreatment would include assessing the tooth
> for a cracked root.
>
> The 'fly in the ointment' comes when a tooth is in danger of splitting
> or needs a crown to otherwise restore the tooth. I would then place
> a stainless steel crown (on a posterior tooth) to hold things
> together while waiting for healing instead of moving straight to
> a more costly restoration.
>
> Steve


That's a nice strategy for time-buying.

Steve

Re: Questions, Questions

news.chi.sbcglobal,net wrote:
> Dr. Bornfeld.
>
> I appreciate your attention. Why would the dentist say the root canal is
> successful, if there is an infection. An infection always means something
> is wrong. Would he be justified to put a cap on the tooth. Very
> distressing.
> Gail
>>
>
>


Why do you think there is an infection--pain, swelling, drainage? This
doesn't meet my criteria for a tooth ready for restoration--I agree.

Steve

Re: Questions, Questions

news.chi.sbcglobal,net wrote:
> How long to wait to see if the complications occur or should the procedure
> be abandoned totally.
> Gail


You mean wait before restoring the tooth? I wait until the tooth is
symptom-free, assuming I don't suspect anything is wrong.
Things of course can happen down the road--even years later. That's
why even in a caries-free mouth it's a good idea IMO to throw an x-ray
film in there (a PA which will show the whole tooth) every few years to
make sure things are holding up.

Steve
>

Re: Questions, Questions

Thank You Steve and Thank you Steve, The fly in the ointment is that the
dentist feels no need to explain the situation clearly for someone as
uninformed as I and most others are. We are lucky to have SMD for the
detail that may help.I better understand what is meant now (If the infection
is a result of some sligth damage in the course of the procedure done not to
the tooth but as a side effect and the tooth is still solid? If the
infection is cleared, the cap can be placed. As is the case, the root
canal was just done and the dentist is waiting for the infection to clear up
to put the crown on. So barring any catastrophies to the root or tooth
(and me) the dentist will proceed. Actually, in the absence of being a
millionaire or even a mensch with lots of money, in my opinion a stainless
steel cap is as good as gold if not seen. Why is not white gold used .
Thank You again Steves, for the post.
In the next life, maybe I will remain childless. One child is enough in
one family (me). Is there hope?
Gail
"Steven Bornfeld" <dentaltwinmung@earthlink,net > wrote in message
news:13uppf61lfiihbe@corp.supernews,com ...
> news.chi.sbcglobal,net wrote:
>> How long to wait to see if the complications occur or should the
>> procedure be abandoned totally.
>> Gail
>
>
> You mean wait before restoring the tooth? I wait until the tooth is
> symptom-free, assuming I don't suspect anything is wrong.
> Things of course can happen down the road--even years later. That's why
> even in a caries-free mouth it's a good idea IMO to throw an x-ray film in
> there (a PA which will show the whole tooth) every few years to make sure
> things are holding up.
>
> Steve
>>

Re: Questions, Questions

news.chi.sbcglobal,net wrote:
> Thank You Steve and Thank you Steve, The fly in the ointment is that the
> dentist feels no need to explain the situation clearly for someone as
> uninformed as I and most others are. We are lucky to have SMD for the
> detail that may help.


Thanks, and hope my advice is correct. Certainly a poor substitute for
a dentist who actually sees what's going on. Sad that communication
skills too may be too much to ask for.


I better understand what is meant now (If the infection
> is a result of some sligth damage in the course of the procedure done not to
> the tooth but as a side effect and the tooth is still solid? If the
> infection is cleared, the cap can be placed. As is the case, the root
> canal was just done and the dentist is waiting for the infection to clear up
> to put the crown on.

That sounds right.

So barring any catastrophies to the root or tooth
> (and me) the dentist will proceed. Actually, in the absence of being a
> millionaire or even a mensch with lots of money, in my opinion a stainless
> steel cap is as good as gold if not seen. Why is not white gold used .
> Thank You again Steves, for the post.
> In the next life, maybe I will remain childless. One child is enough in
> one family (me). Is there hope?
> Gail

Heh heh--we all have our moments of doubt. My daughter would love a
sibling. But if we buy a house, she'll likely settle gladly for a dog.

Steve


> "Steven Bornfeld" <dentaltwinmung@earthlink,net > wrote in message
> news:13uppf61lfiihbe@corp.supernews,com ...
>> news.chi.sbcglobal,net wrote:
>>> How long to wait to see if the complications occur or should the
>>> procedure be abandoned totally.
>>> Gail
>>
>> You mean wait before restoring the tooth? I wait until the tooth is
>> symptom-free, assuming I don't suspect anything is wrong.
>> Things of course can happen down the road--even years later. That's why
>> even in a caries-free mouth it's a good idea IMO to throw an x-ray film in
>> there (a PA which will show the whole tooth) every few years to make sure
>> things are holding up.
>>
>> Steve
>
>

Re: Questions, Questions

The guinea from long ago, "the love of my life" is still enjoying the
hospitality. Wonder how his teeth are.
Gail

>>