Anyone had an apicectomy?

[fredip71]

Hi. My dentist has referred me to the local hospital to have an apicectomy (that's when a tooth that had root canal treatment is still infected and the nerve or apex has to be removed completely). It consists of having a la I think and a cut will then be made to the gum and the doctor then drills into it to kill off the bugger. Perhaps, someone has had this before. Any comments appreciated. Ta!

search on apisectomy under health, there was a thread fairly recently, sorry don't know how to do links.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=265289#5306675

does this work?

I had one done last Friday - I'll see if I can find the thread .... What do you want to know ?

ta car25 \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=265289#5306675 \here}

bum , here

whatever you do don't google the procedure!

Thanks. I just wanted to know how you felt afterwards and if you needed time off work.

Immediately afterwards I was advised to take it easy (so dh had day off and drove me then did school runs etc) and to take regular painkillers before the local wore off. Could n't really eat or drink until about 3-4 hours later when the anaesthetic wore off and could feel my lip again. The stitches bled on and off for much of the day and they recommended Corsodyl and salt water rinses from the day after , several times a day and had ab's. Felt ok-ish the next day but developed bruising - purplish about size of a 50p plus yellowing along jawline - and swelling down to my chin which continued to discolour over next couple of days.

I' m a SAHM so no time off (!) but was ok physically ok, if still very bruised, to do school runs etc by Monday (procedure late Friday morning). I have had some soreness and pain on and off since, for which taken Nurofen, have felt rather tired and headachey so had early nights and the stitches are still very much there but should dissolve in time (if not they'll be taken out at my appointment on Friday).

The bruising is fading now and my jaw movement is gradually coming back to normal although I can't yet bite comfortably on the side of the mouth where tooth is(lower centre front left) and the tooth itself feels sensitive, so still on a fairly soft diet. Oh and I also have a nasty taste in my mouth which is gradually going so food tastes odd anyway and leaves an aftertaste. Just hope it is succesful after all this !

hth , but ask away !

Thank you LIZS, I hope as you say it is all worth it. I don't know when I am going to have this done, but I am not looking forward to it. I might have to take time off work as I teach at uni. Had 4 teeth taken out recently and it was horrible (first 2, one wisdom tooth and a molar). Lots of bruising... Take it easy x

Never had one but have done a few. Which tooth is it?

lower right second molar. I like your name

Have to say talking was uncomfortable for several days and even now I can't shout at the kids , not sure how much that may affect your teaching role.

when I had those other teeth taken out, I was glad my students were taking their exams at the time , as I would not have been able to open my mouth and speak properly. Sorry I sound a bit like a wimp... feeling sorry for myself already!!! I hope your children listen to you, how old are they?

5 and 8 , fortunately they have been very sympathetic and they've been good but can't yell for them from downstairs atm, or dh come to that ! Probably no bad thing . Stitches feel better today.

Good, I am sure it will get better soon. Thanks for all this LIZS