AboutGary Backlund, DMD, MSD Expertise I am an Endodontist ( root canal specialist ) and can answer questions about root canals and their treatment. I cannot diagnose or treat online, but can answer general questions. I have been a specialist for 25 years and am Past President of the Washington State Association of Endodontists.
Experience 25 years practicing as a specialist
Organizations American Association of Endodonists, Past President Washington State Association of Endodontists.
Expert: Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD Date: 7/14/2008 Subject: Rool Canal +bridge over still infected teeth
Question QUESTION: Hi
I have some dental work done overseas. This dentis started a root canal on 3 teeth but he said the infection is deep down but it's much better now.I don't have any pain inflamation or anything coming out of any of these teeth.The dentist said that if these 3 teeth will be OK after 5-6 months he can continue with finishing up the root canals close them and put a bridge over. He said that the infection can be absorbed by the body. Is this true? What impact can have to my body?
I don't want to loose these teeth because if I do and I have to get a denture or implants.2 of them are the last 2 on the buttom.Thanks.
ANSWER: Hi Bea,
What you are being told is basically the truth. When a root canal is done well, the abscess at the end of the root will heal and any bone that has been affected will heal also. There will be no impact on your body...this is the way it heals.
I am a little confused about the 5-6 month time delay. When we see patients, we do the root canal, usually, in one appointment and then send the patient back to their general dentist for a crown, bridge or whatever. I don't know why your dentist is waiting so long to complete the treatment. Does he mean he won't finish the root canals or he wants to wait that long to place the bridge? Sometimes we wait to evaluate healing before doing very expensive treatment if there were some problems with the root canals just to make sure all is well.
Hope this helps.
Gary Backlund DMD, MSD
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Gary,
Thank you so much for your help.The dentists aid something like he put some antibiotic paste inside the teeth and cleaned them very well so it help to the healing process.This antibiotic should be in effect for 5-6 months he said. He would ahve done it more often, but I ahd to return to the US. The abscess is not at the gum level, I mean nothing comes out anymore from my gums,but what it's not clear to me is that he said that the infection will still be there, at the bottom of the root. Is this something that can be healed? Or is too deep down?
He hasn't finished yet because he wanted to see how my teeth would react to this antibiotic he put in.He made the bridges, but he used a temporary cement, so he can go back to finish up.
Thanks again.
Bea
ANSWER: Hi Bea,
Abscesses always occur at the end of the root in the bone and heal very well after the root canal is done.
I don't know how to say this diplomatically, but you are receiving very unconventional treatment. Here is the US, we do root canals in 1-3 appointment, all within a few weeks of each other. In my office, we would see a patient like you, do the root canal in one visit, and send you back to your general dentist for the crown, bridge or whatever. We NEVER put things in the tooth and wait...antibiotics or not....it's just not the standard of care here.
I hope this answers your questions.
Gary Backlund DMD, MSD
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Gary again,
My understanding is that he can't remove the infection completely and according to him there will be some infection there all the time, even after he puts the bridge on. My concern is that if this would be OK or not. Or why he can't remove the infection completely? Or maybe I just missed some of his explaination.
Thanks again.I relly apreacaite you taking the time and answer me.
Bea
Answer Hi Bea,
I really can't help with what he is doing....we don't do root canals that way and it's not the standard of care in the US. We do the root canal so the body can heal. There is no infection left after the normal healing process following one of my root canals. I would suggest that you ask your dentist, because I just don't understand what is going on. I just don't treat patients this way nor do any of my colleagues.
To directly answer your question, it is NOT OK to leave infection and we don't do that in our office.
