AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon 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 practicing for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor at State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Question I have a 35 yr. old root canal (tooth chipped as a child) that recently became infected with an abscess. It was excruciatingly painful and was incised/drained by an oral surgeon. I was also put on antibiotics.
He is recommending an Apicoectomy but says this can't be don't for another 3 or 4 weeks.
This doesn't make sense to me. It seems like the abscess will flare up again if I stop the antibiotics without treating the source of the infection.
2 questions. Does it sound like an Apicoectomy will work in my circumstance (tooth number 25) and is it appropriate to wait so long after an incision and drainage of the Periapical Abscess?
Thank you.
Answer Jim - First of all, yes the apicoectomy should work. Secondly, there really is no reason to put off doing the apico after the initial drainage from the incision and drainage. I cannot think why, other than the surgeon is busy, he would want to put off the apico. You need it done soon or infection will arise again.
If the doctor won't do it soon, see another. If you have more questions, feel free to contact me again.
