All posts by : Julia Reynolds

Having a sinus infection may actually be more than just a stuffy or runny nose. It could mean that you have a tooth infection, even if it isn’t paired with tooth pain.

Why can sinus symptoms be related to your teeth?

Due to the anatomy of the roots of the teeth, your tooth roots nearly touch your sinuses. This air-filled space positioned behind your cheekbones is referred to as the maxillary sinus. Because of the close proximity, if one of your tooth’s roots becomes infected it can easily spread to the maxillary sinus.

If you are having a toothache and begin to experience some nasal drainage, make sure to reach out for an examination by your dentist. Should the infection in your root be to an advanced stage, they may refer you to an endodontist for a root canal consultation.

Because sinus symptoms do not always present with tooth pain it can take a while to diagnose problems. As a result, this condition may go on for years before it is recognized. Endodontists are specially trained and equipped to diagnose and treat this condition.

Symptoms

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms you may want to reach out to your dentist or physician about your sinus infection and possible tooth infection.

• Tooth or jaw pain
• Chronic sinus pain or pressure
• You’ve had tooth infections in the past
• You’ve had an endodontic, oral, or periodontal treatment
• A recent tooth extractions

One common difference between a tooth-related sinus infection and a traditional sinus infection is that if a tooth root is causing the problem it will typically present on one side of the face or mouth. It may also cause facial swelling not observed in a regular sinus infection.

Treatment

Root canals are the most common treatment for an infected tooth root. Because such an issue can cause discomfort and even severe dental pain, endodontists perform a root canal to remove the diseased nerve of the tooth, which is called the pulp.  

After the pulp is removed, the endodontist cleans and disinfects the root canals and then fills the space with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.

After the root canal is completed, you should make an appointment with your general dentist for a final filling or crown to restore the tooth’s full function.

Sometimes, if you are suffering from recurring sinus infections or if you have to wait for any reason to get root canal treatment, your physician may prescribe antibiotics. 

While antibiotics will resolve the patient’s sinus symptoms temporarily, the antibiotics are incapable of reaching the source of the infection inside the tooth. Once the antibiotics are ceased, the infection will slowly re-emerge from the tooth and spread back into the sinus and the symptoms will often recur many months later.

If you are needing an endodontic treatment for an infected tooth that is causing sinus infection, our team at Cumberland Valley Endodontics is ready to help. Schedule your consultation today.

Root canal treatments can last a lifetime with proper care and healing after the procedure. However, if your root canal fails there are options to help relieve any pain or discomfort you may be experiencing. 

Can you retreat a failed root canal?

Yes, if you develop new issues or there was a problem with your treatment. 

Although it is always the goal of an endodontist to save your natural tooth, if your previous root canal fails, schedule a consultation with an endodontist to see what your options are for retreatment.

Why would I need another treatment?

There are several reasons why your endodontic treatment might have not healed correctly. Depending on the anatomy of the canals of your teeth,  more narrow or curved canals might not have been fully treated during your first procedure. 

Another reason for a root canal failure can be because the tooth did not receive a permanent restoration in a timely manner.  Usually, the endodontist finishes a root canal by placing a temporary restoration during the healing process and refers back to the general dentist for the permanent one.  If a temporary restoration is in place too long, it can invite bacteria that can reinfect the canals.  

You also might experience new decay that causes the problem all over again. A new infection could be introduced to your tooth if a cracked crown or filling re-exposed the root or if the tooth fractures.

Are there other options if a root canal retreatment isn’t an option?

If you are not a good candidate for endodontic retreatment, other options are available.  

An alternative to retreatment would be endodontic surgery, which may allow your endodontist to find the full extent of the problem. Endodontic surgeries can remove the decay in difficult areas or infected tissue at the base of the root.

Although the last resort would be to extract the tooth, this is sometimes the only option when other treatments have been exhausted or the tooth root has been determined to have fractured.

If you previously had a root canal that is sensitive and may need retreatment, make an appointment today for a consultation to learn the options available to you.

Root canals get a bad reputation, making some people fearful about getting one. In this article, we’re going to go over some of the most common myths about root canals and give you facts that debunk them.

Myth #1: Root canal treatment is painful

Technology has come a long way since root canals were first performed. While root canals have been performed for decades and may have been painful at one time, endodontists now perform their procedures without the patient experiencing any pain.

Anesthetics are used to keep you comfortable while the damaged tissues are removed, most likely the pain you are experiencing from the toothache is probably more severe than what you’ll experience during a root canal

Myths #2: It causes illness and increases the risk of cancer

Recently, online myths have been cropping up that originated from flawed research from over 100 years ago. In fact, tooth and gum infections can actually cause health issues and are definitely linked to heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer.  

Root canals remove the toxins and eliminate the infections, thus reducing risks for oral-systemic links.

Myth #3: Extraction is a better solution to tooth pain

Since keeping your natural teeth is always best, saving your teeth is always the goal. Endodontists specialize in saving teeth! While there are great replacement options available, nothing can replace a natural tooth.

Tooth replacement with a bridge or implant requires more treatment time, more expense, and may result in additional procedures to neighboring teeth and supporting tissues.  And, you always want to replace a tooth if it is extracted because missing teeth can cause many other mouth problems.

Since endodontic treatment has a high success rate, your root canal can help your teeth last a lifetime!

Call today to make your appointment.

If it is in the best interest of the patient, endodontists are within their scope of practice to the extraction of teeth. A tooth that is unable to be saved by an endodontic treatment will require an extraction.

While the ideal outcome of endodontic treatment is to save the tooth, your endodontist may conclude that your tooth was unable to be saved. Here are several reasons why your endodontist may opt to remove a tooth rather than proceed with treatment:

• Natural tooth structure destruction
• Periodontal issues/Gum Disease
• Root Resorption
• Fractured roots
• Problems with the tissue surrounding the root
• Trauma
• Issues with adjacent teeth

Although all dental students are trained to remove teeth, endodontists are specifically trained to treat your tooth for preservation so that extraction would be the last resort.

If a tooth needs to be extracted, the endodontist may refer to an oral surgeon.

Call today and schedule a consultation to learn your options when it comes to endodontic treatments.

Endodontists are dentists who specialize in tooth pain and problems relating to the pulp of the tooth, but why would you need to schedule a visit for endodontic treatment? 

Extractions should always be the last resort, saving your natural teeth is what endodontists do best! In this article, we’ll review the reasons why you might need to see an endodontist.

When Should You See An Endodontist?

Although some people put off going to the dentist for their cleanings and routine care for as long as they can, it is very important to stay up to date with caring for your oral health. However when you are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity it becomes even more essential that you seek help before your symptoms get worse, you could end up saving your tooth!

If you are experiencing tooth pain, make an appointment to see your dentist. If your dentist finds that your pain is caused by damage to the nerve of your tooth, they will most likely refer you to an endodontist who is specially trained in identifying the cause of the pain and providing treatment.

What Types of Treatments to Endodontists Provide?

Endodontists attend training beyond dental school to be able to receive specialized education in endodontic treatments such as root canals, root canal retreatments, dental injuries, or dental implants. 

Endodontists often will work with dentists to create a treatment plan that best serves you, the patient. Since they are specialists in their field of treating issues related to the interior of the tooth, you’ll hear endodontists refer to themselves as Specialists in Saving Teeth.

How Do I Know if I Should See An Endodontist?

Although a toothache can be a sign that you need to see an endodontist, sometimes teeth with more subtle symptoms might need endodontic treatment as well.  Even if you are not in pain, if you are experiencing prolonged sensitivity to heat or chewing on a tooth, it could be a sign that you should see an endodontist.  Another sign that you might need to see an endodontist could be if you notice a small bubble on the gum around your tooth.  This bubble is called a fistula, which can be a sign of an infected tooth nerve that must be treated by an endodontist. 

Since endodontists have expertise in diagnosing the reason for tooth pain and saving teeth, if you are experiencing a toothache don’t wait to make an appointment for endodontic evaluation.

Call today to make an appointment to get to the root of your tooth pain!