I had a root canal done in January. It’s been tender in the gum area ever since and I just assumed it was still in the healing process. When I finally went back last week to have it looked at, I realized a bump on my gum in the area. It doesn’t hurt really bad but is tender when pressure is applied to it. The dentist has consulted with another and they are telling me that since it was such a deep root canal that at times it may take up to a year to heal and are telling me to wait. I’m not sure if the safest thing to do is to do nothing. Can it take this long for the healing process?

ANSWER:

While it can take up to a year for the bone to fill in following a root canal. The pain should have resolved by now and you should not have a bump in the area. Most of the time those bumps indicate some type of infection. In a tooth that has already had a root canal the bump may indicate a crack in the tooth or some residual infection in the tooth. Either way you should see either a periodontist to check for a crack or an endodontist to check the root canal. Let me know if you need a referral to either of these dental specialist.
Hope the helps.

Nick DeTure DMD
AskADentist.com

The post Healing after a Root Canal first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

I had a root canal on my tooth due to an abscess about a month ago. Ever since, my gums around that tooth have been red and swollen and I’ve been having a headache and earache on that side. The tooth beside it feels very hot to the touch. What does this mean?

ANSWER:

It is not unusual for the gum around the tooth to be irritated following a root canal. The process isolating the tooth to do the root canal can irritate the gum tissue, or if a crown was prepared on the tooth that can bother the tooth. The tooth feeling hot to the touch is unusual. If it is the gum that feels hot there may be infection in the gum. If it is the tooth itself the tooth could have an infection or problem which needs to be evaluated. The headache and earache on that side could again just be related to having had your mouth open for an extended period of time for the root canal or it could be related to a change in the bite following the root canal or crown. All of these things should be evaluated by your dentist or specialist who did your root canal. If you need the name of someone in your area to check things for you let us know and we will make a recommendation for you. You are also welcome to see us in Fort Lauderdale just call (954) 522-3228.

Hope this helps,
Nick DeTure DMD
AskADentist.com

The post Infection After Root Canal first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

Thursday I flossed my teeth and Friday my gums were swollen on the left side of my mouth at a tooth I had a cavity filled in at, and it was very painful in just that area. Saturday the pain was gone but my face is a bit swollen right over the tooth and I pushed on it a little and I can feel it in my tooth.  My question to you is what could be the problem and will it go away or do I need to see a dentist asap?

ANSWER:

Based on your description it sounds like the nerve in the tooth may be dying and the tooth may need a root canal to remove the infection. This sometimes happens in teeth with deep decay, but if your face is swollen,  and the tooth is feeling loose you should see someone ASAP. I have friends in the Port Huron as well as the Detroit area if you need me to recommend someone for you to see I can.

Hope this helps,
Nick DeTure DMD
askadentist.com

The post Nerve Dying first appeared on Ask A Dentist.