AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I am available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.
Experience Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicine for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor and State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education/Credentials BA
DMD
Awards and Honors National Honor Society (OKU), Philadelphia County Dental Society, Mosby Book Award, Oral Surgery Honors, Summa Cum Laude
I had a root canal and it still hurt. My dentist said I have swollen gums and such, so it's making my tooth ache. I was already prescribed 2 courses of amoxicillin. So now he wants to prescribe this drug called Augmentin. If I took 2 courses of amoxcillin and that did not get rid of the pain, then would augmentin be stronger? Is it better at killing off pain and infection? thank you!
ANSWER: Jon - Antibiotics do not arrest the pain problem you have. Pain cannot be arrested just by an antibiotic. Usually, if a root canal tooth is uncomfortable, the problem is because of advanced periodontal problems or inflammation within the bone surrounding the roots of the teeth. These two possibilities need to be checked.
My suggestion is to have a root canal specialist (endodontist) evaluate you. The antibiotics will only mask the problem, but the cause needs to be determined. Do not put this off. Get an evaluation as soon as possible.
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QUESTION: I was evaluated by the specialist, and he said the root canal is done beautifully. But, I'm still having pain which I think is coming from the bone and the gums. Is it possible that the infection is healing, or does pain indicate that it is not healing?
Answer Jon - The pain indicates that the infection is not healing. Bacteria could be trapped in the area producing the pain. Another possibility is an inflammation of the bone and ligament surrounding the tooth's root.
Something needs to be done. Initially begin warm salt water rinses for about 2-3 minutes, 4-5 times a day. The rinsing will encourage drainage of trapped fluids from the inflammation in the area. If it does not get better, a true source of the problem needs to be determined.
