Expert: Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD - 12/2/2006

Question
Two days ago I had root canal treatment on #14 molar.Everything went fine,I had thought, untill I woke up yesterday morning with my left side of my face swollen.Iwent back to see the Endodontist and he said it was from the tooth being badly infected and he put me on an antibiotic.Please offer me your professional opinion.Thankyou.

Answer
Hi Keith,

Sorry to hear you're having this problem. It sounds to me like you have been given good advice. It is not unusual for an abscess to become acute following treatment. Sometimes, if it feels like a big boil inside your mouth, the dentist can drain the infection. If the swelling is hard, that can't be done. You can hasten things a bit by using hot packs on the outside of your face and warm water "holds" inside your mouth in the area of the swelling. It may cause you to swell even more, but it may bring the infection to a head so your dentist can drain it. Remember, this is all said without being able to examine you, but from what you told me, it sure sounds accurate. If you have any more problems, call back the endodontist...even if it's the weekend. That's what he's paid for and he should have a 24 hour a day answering service for his patients.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Gary Backlund DMD, MSD