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Dentistry/root canal treatment

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Expert: - 10/11/2008


Question

crowned tooth
I visited my dental surgeon for a regular implant control.
She took x-rays.
She told me the implants are fine but that a crowned tooth on the side has an infection and that it should get root canal treatment. A month before this visit I had a dental control apointment with my regular dentist and she told me everything was ok.
My questions are:
1. is it possible that the infection developed in just a month and my dentist did not see it?.
2. from the x-rays I am sending: how bad is the infecction?
Many thanks in advance.


Answer
You have severe periodontal disease, which has caused you to lose muchof the bone support of your teeth. You do have a lesion on the molar behind the implant tooth, and it would not have developed quickly. I need to know the results of pulp testing to say whether the pulp is dead or not, but it probably is. Whether it was caused by the enodo and became periodontally involved, or vice-versa I couldn't say. The prognosis for the tooth is guarded, however, because if you fix the pulp with endo, the perio situation remains. In my opinion, the implant that I can see is too short, and the bone around it is already saucered from periodontal disease, so the prognosis for it is also guarded. You will most likely develop peri-implantitis. Sorry for the bad news.

Frederick R. Liewehr DDS, MS, FICD

Expertise

I can answer your questions about root canal therapy in general. PLEASE DO NOT ask me to diagnose your particular problems or recommend treatment as I cannot do this without examining you and seeing your x-rays.

Experience

I am a Board-certified endodontist, former university department Chairman, teach dental residents, and have a private practice.

Organizations
ADA, AAE, ICD, AAOM, FDI, AMSUS, AAOB

Publications
J of Endodontics, Endodontics and Dental Traumatology, O,O,O, Military Medicine, Medical Bulletin, J of Dental Education

Education/Credentials
DDS, MS (Oral Biology), certificate in Endodontics

Awards and Honors
Surgeon General's "A" Designator, Fellowship ICD, Order of Military Medical Merit

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