You are here:

Dentistry/tooth infection

Advertisement

Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 10/8/2008


Question

tooth
I visited my dental surgeon for a regular implant control.
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?.
3. from the x-rays I am sending: how bad is the infecction?
2. if a root canal treatment is needed, will I have to get a new crown after it, or can still keep the crown I have.
The tooth was crowned about two years ago.
Here is an x-ray that shows the crowned tooth I am refering to.
Many thanks in advance.


Answer
Dear Mr. Verandi,

1. is it possible that the infection developed in just a month and my dentist did not see it?.
A: Although this is possible, it is unlikely that an infection of this magnitude just occurred. It is more likely that your dentist didn't take an x-ray of the area, or just didn't look closely enough at the x-rays she took.

3. from the x-rays I am sending: how bad is the infecction?
A: It's difficult to make a reliable assessment from x-rays alone, but the film suggests that this is a substantial infection. Complicating matters is the fact that there is significant gum disease as well, so there is a large deficiency of supporting bone here. Unless a majority of the bone returns after a root canal therapy, I would speculate that the long-term prognosis of this tooth is poor.

2. if a root canal treatment is needed, will I have to get a new crown after it, or can still keep the crown I have.
The tooth was crowned about two years ago.
A: In most cases, root canal treatment can be performed through a crown, and the opening in the crown can later be filled. This would be an appropriate strategy, given the poor condition of the tooth-- the amount of money and effort on more extensive treatment may not be re-paid in a commensurate extension of the lifespan of this tooth, so you would want to conserve your resources here.

Hope this helps...

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY

Mark Bornfeld DDS

Expertise

I can respond to all questions dealing with the practice of dentistry, from both the dentist`s and patient`s perspective. I am knowledgeable about all dental disciplines, from cosmetic dentistry to surgery, from restorative dentistry to root canal treatment. I have strong opinions about controversial issues in dental practice, including those topics which directly impact on the reputation of the profession in the eyes of both the lay public and our health profession colleagues.

Experience


Past/Present Clients
Editor, Queens County Academy of General Dentistry newsletter; contributor to Dentistry.com
29 years practicing general dentistry partnered with brother Steve as one-half of the
DentalTwins®

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.