Any dentists to give advice please?

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

Disclaimer: I know this is the Internet, people may not be real etc, I’m looking for advice- not a gospel truth to solely dictate my actions!

I’ve got a crowned root canal that’s about 2 years old, it’s failed. End of august massive pain, horrible face swelling-horrible. Got antibiotics and it calmed down. Emergency dentist couldn’t do anything but that, says it needs a specialist.

I can’t get an appointment until October 9th so I’m waiting and waiting. No pain, tooth feels ok. However small lump on gum appeared. Yesterday it popped itself. I’ve used loads of salt water rinsing and brushed and flossed well. The swelling went down, I feel ok in myself. The bump is nearly gone, sort of feels like a small mouth ulcer would I guess, hint of tenderness pressing gum through cheek. No tooth pain (presume the root is well and truest dead). I can’t see the tooth as it is crowned.

Obviously I’m a bit freaked out by gum lumps by the root that burst! Will the emergency dentist have no interest as I’m not unwell/ in pain? Can I keep waiting and waiting on this nightmare tooth for longer??? I’ve tried the regular dentist appt, I’ve checked for cancellations9th October is the only option there.

[InnPain]

Sounds like a gum abscess to me, I’ve had similar. It may keep coming back and you’ll need to get it drained (I did) but mines was a large sack!

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

Yeah I’m pretty sure it’s that.
Gross as it is, I’m pretty sure it’s drained nicely.
I’m just worried if there are implications as to leaving it for weeks

[HisSplendidSilentSun]

I have just gone through this exact process, plus have had surgery on mine with a specialist and had the stitches out last week. From the abscess swelling and bursting, to seeing the specialist for a consultation was 4 weeks. I then waited another 6 weeks for surgery, then 2 weeks for stitches to be removed.

During all that time I rinsed my mouth 2-3 times daily with salt water - and am continuing to do so until my final follow up visit with him. I have also experienced no pain during this time, just had a mild sensation of swelling in the gum and surrounding area.

If you have no pain then keep your appointment with the emergency dentist and see what he decides to do and take it from there. If it is an abscess then do everything possible to get it removed so that it doesn't return as I believe they can cause long term damage to the bone and cause tooth loss. Good luck.

[MillyMollyMardy]

Dentist here, it sounds like a sinus from a now chronic infection. As the infection is now free to drain out the chance of it all swelling up again are much lower. Warm, salty mouthwashing to encourage draining and keep the specialist appointment. Antibiotics will do little for a chronic infection so need to do anything else for now.

[erictries]

Dentist here too. You have a draining sinus, which is the body's way of naturally dealing with. Chronic infection. With the sinus present the pus has a way out so to speak, rather than the previous, awful, swollen face.
Keep your appointment in October. The tooth should be fine until then, but can I ask what you are expecting the specialist to do? Are you wanting to save the tooth? If so, the root treatment and frown will have to be replaced, and there's no great guarantee it will be more successful. You also need to rule out internal cracks as well, as root fractures cannot be fixed.
I'd say if it's a long, complicated treatment t plan to save tooth, without much guarantee of success, you be better getting tooth out and considering an implant

[RobinHumphries]

Wow bit pessimistic there erictries.

It’s impossible to say for sure without looking at the tooth and X-rays but it maybe that the crown won’t need to be replaced. Specialists usually have equipment like microscopes that make the chances of success much higher.

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

The emergency dentist was fully on redoing the root canal with the specialist, didn’t actually suggest anything else. X ray showing infection.
Personally I’ve been toying with getting it out though. It’s my only tooth with work (no fillings elsewhere) and it’s been horrible since the root canal. Always felt funny. I’m had the point of wanting rid.
It is though first top molar so a bit far forward, and I have no eye teeth either (genetic quirk) so worry wouldn’t look great. Couldn’t afford an implant certainly.

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

I don’t though even have a bloody specialist appt.
I’ve had to wait two months nearly to see my own dentist who will apparently then refer me, according to the emergency dentist I saw through 111.
Waiting times are so bad that May scupper the option anyway.
My main concern though right now is my face isn’t going to blow up again or turn hugely painful😩

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

When I had the temporary crown it was fine, waited for the final metal one and it’s felt odd since that appt

[MillyMollyMardy]

TheViewFromTheCheapSeats did the emergency dentist take an xray? If they did ask for a copy (there is no charge for this), you could self refer to a specialist. You are looking for a endodontist. They are likely to be pretty booked up too.
Alternatively call your dental practice up, say you've now got a lump on your gum and can they see you sooner.
However in waiting until next month to be seen, is very unlikely to change the outcome for your tooth, it's got a crown on it so hopefully protected from fracture (never a 100% guarantee) and it's already been infected there isn't much else that could happen.

[MillyMollyMardy]

I've just reread your original post and I'd say it's pretty certain you've got three dentists on here despite it being the internet.

[nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut]

It's a fistula. It's what happens when you get an abcess under a tooth that goes untreated. A small hole forms in order to drain the infection.

I had one under a crowned tooth once that never got treated as I just couldn't afford it. A fistula formed, it drained and I never heard another peep from it. 6 years on it's still fine. Once it drains it's just a case of tackling the underlying infection to stop another abcess growing. Salt water is good and a course of antibiotics if you can get them and just keep the salt water rinses going and Corsadyl is good too until the fistula closes. Once the infection is gone the fistula will close on it's own over a few months.

[RobinHumphries]

No it’s a sinus as erictries correctly pointed out not a fistula.

[nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut]

A sinus tract and a fistula are the same thing, just different names. Both are tracts draining an internal infection anywhere in the body to an outside surface such as the skin or gums.

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

@MillyMollyMardy yes- I’m grateful they’ve taken the time to respond! Much better than I hoped for, thank you!

They took an X-ray, I’ll find out about asking. It was a funny set up though, I went to a dentist two boroughs away and it wasn't one of their staff- someone on a rota. I said at the time she seemed young if you see that thread. I don’t mean in age (mine probably
Is the same age and fab) but in behaviour, giggling with the nurse behind a door, abrupt and a bit careless in tone. Didn’t quite feel I had her attention at points. Both my Borough and two neighbouring ones were fully booked. From what I remember the x ray just showed a crown, shading for infection around it and a little bit of decay stating on a neighbouring tooth. One tidy filled root.

There’s hardly a noticeable lump this morning to take to an emergency dentist, nor any pain. Even if I tap the teeth, drink cold stuff or brush and floss there’s no blood or pain. So I’m guessing nothing the emergency could do? Obviously I’m keeping the 9th October booking.

Private isn’t an option on finances

[MillyMollyMardy]

If private isn't an option please be prepared that extraction may be your only option. There are many areas of the country (I've assumed you are in the UK) where specialist retreatment or even primary is not funded under the NHS.

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

Thanks @MillyMollyMardy - I’ll just take it as it comes I guess. I’m London. If it’s not an insane cost maybe… but also balancing on cost vs likelihood of success I guess.
Plus the fact I’m massively phobic about dentistry.

[QuestionableMouse]

I'm currently going through similar and honestly just get the tooth out. Mine has been nothing but trouble this year with recurrent infections. Have an appointment in a couple of weeks to get it out and I'll be glad when it's done.

[MillyMollyMardy]

TheViewFromTheCheapSeats in London you have access to specialist secondary care as it has been comissioned, it'll depend if you meet the criteria and if you want it. Whatever your choice good luck.

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

Thanks @MillyMollyMardy that’s good to know, thank you again for your time responding on here- I appreciate it.