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I had a root canal done years ago. last night I felt ...

Sent to Health Experts October 28 2005 at 9:20 AM
   

I had a root canal done years ago. last night I felt something odd and looked at it in the mirror and I believe it was the tip of the root of this tooth. I don't have insurance and don't have a job. Do I have anything to worry about with this tooth. It has been loose for a long time.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
October 28 2005 at 9:55 AM (34 minutes and 51 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

When you had the root canal did you have the crown put on it? Usually after years if there is not a crown put on, the tooth will break off because that tooth is dead. (Thats why it's called a root canal) If it were what you call the tip sticking out, you would be in a lot of pain. You don't mention any pain. When the root canal is done that hole it makes (where the root use to be) is packed with some kind of material (which is what wards off infection from getting into the bottom of that hole) so that is more than likely what you are seeing. At some point the tooth will just break off at the gum line which will just show you don't have a tooth anymore. If that packing material should fall out, then you do want to find some way to be seen so you can find out what your options are at that point. But for it to be your root would be impossible if you had a root canal done.

Hope this help, If you need anything else please feel free to ask. If you found this helpful don’t forget to click the *accept* button!

Reply
October 28 2005 at 10:10 AM (15 minutes and 18 seconds later)
         
Reply to Lindie's Post: I am 53 years old. I had the orginial root canal done when I was 17 years old. Yes a crown was put on the tooth started rotting when I was about 10 and not much was left by the time it was finally taken care of. I have had alot of trouble with for the last 10 years. At one point it was so swollen and painful it had a big bubble or bump on the outside of the gum with something strange oozing out of it. not unpleasant but still oozing out. I did see a dentist at that time and said something about having to go through the top of the tooth gum line to go in and see what was going on. This was never done. So I do not have to worry about infection because there is no root alive left in the tooth?
Answer
October 28 2005 at 10:20 AM (9 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

You do need to worry about infection in the gums and jaw bone. Without having actually seen the bump you had it does sound as though it may have been due to infection or an abscess (which is another form of infection) and very painful.

If you are not having pain at this point thats good. But at some point you may need to have this whole root canal area cleaned out so that if there is an infection it doesn't get into the bones which can later on cause nerve damage to where that portion of your face may droop. The tooth itself is gone, but it can get an infection still in the gums or bone area. At this point you can either have something done (which I know you said you have no insurance) or just make sure you are keeping that area as clean as possible. If you develop pain or any other abscess or a fever and feel it's related to this tooth, then you need to find a way to have it taken care of. Even if it means you start putting a few dollars away toward it now and in a few months have something done to help repair it.

Hope this helps.

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