Anyone in the know about dental problems around?

[puff]

A few months ago I had root canal treatment on a back tooth which had broken in half, but still had problems, so then had a crown fitted. It's never felt quite right since.
Today a v large lump has appeared in the gum at the side of the tooth and I think my cheek is beginning to swell .
I assume this is a dental abcess, so need to get to dentist asap, antibiotics etc.
Should I just get the crown and what's left of the tooth taken out, or can it have another crown?

You could have a dental implant instead - this should be a permanent fix but they are quite pricey

I could do that at a later date perhaps?

An abcess will hurt like mad so get down the dentist's!

You can have another crown if there is enough of your tooth left, after the infection is cleared.

You could just have the tooth out and leave a gap but that might affect your bite. The dentist will advise you though. Sorry to hear you are having such a time of it

Yes, I thought it was sinusitis as I've got a cold, but it's surpassing that for pain now!

Luckily I have some v strong painkillers left from when I had a wisdom tooth out - so these should get me through tonight if I need them.

Thanks for the advice .

no advice, but you have my sympathy. I have been through weeks of hell with my front tooth and several root canals in a bid to save my tooth I've had had abcesses and infections, and they bloody hurt! I said to the dentist, in all seriousness, if I had had a pair of pliars in the house I would have pulled it out. It was agony.
It has now calmed down, but I still can't bite on it and I'm aware of it all the time.
I don't dare go back as the dentist has said all else he can do is take the whole tooth out

It's all dd's fault - she knocked me with the top of her head! She will know about it when she's older, believe me!

At least this is a back tooth - it's much more bother if it's a front one. Hope yours stays ok HM.

Thanks, don't hold out much hope, tbh

The first step would be antibiotics (also do plenty of hot salt water rinses - a teaspoon of salt in a glass of boiling water leave it to coll a bit so you don't scald yourself then swish and spit after every meal and before you go to bed, the heat helps to draw the infection out and the salt is a good antiseptic). Then if an xray doesn't reveal anything it probably a case of monitoring it. If you have further probs it may be possible to redo the root canal treatment. Otherwise opt for an extraction (could then decide on a bridge or implant if you did want to fill the gap.) Hope that helps

does anyone know how long you have to walk round with a gap for before you can get an implant/bridge fitted? I am so scared of walking round with a big gaping whole in the front of my mouth, but if it could be done there and then I'd be tempted to get rid of it

There are 2 methods of doing an implant either at the time of extraction or after the healing process (6-12 months). A bridge (particularly at the front would be best to wait until all is settled down as the gum shrinks back with healing which would mean the appearance of the bridge would be poor a year or so down the line if done when the tooth was removed. But as a temporary measure you could have a small denture made which would be fitted on the day of the extraction, so whatever you decided to do yuou wouldn't have to walk around with a gap.

My sympathy ladies - I have apparently 2 abscesses in the front of my mouth and two lots of antibiotics prescribed today

eek katie!!!!!!!

Thanks Chicagomum. 6-12mths I think I'd have to go for the denture there and then! I never thought I'd have a denture at 25 but better than a gap I suppose!

And it really hurts, puff, I want to cry

I have a dental implant as had the same prob with my front tooth and it was worth every penny IMO

katymac you can take paracetamol every four hours and nurofen every 4 hours spacing them at 2 hour intervals (ie paracetamol then 2 hours later nurofen then 2 hours after that paracetamol etc etc) this way it gives you a more constant level of painr elief in your system (when you just take something every 4 hours you absorb it have a period when there is lots in the system but then it starts to deplete but you can't take any mo iyswim) and do the salt water rinses I mentioned earlier hope that will help make you a little more comfortable.

Blossom, did you have the implant put in straight away? And how much did it cost, if you don't mind me asking?

hm0f2 - no I had the tooth extracted and then had a maryland bridge put on. Left it for 2 years due to the cost of the implant (£2,500 ) but was so unhappy that in the end got a credit card and had it done. Looks so good compared to the bridge which was just disgusting.

at the price. Better get saving then.......

I'm sure it's worth it though.

Oh well, I suppose I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it!

Thanks