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Original poster

Dental emergency - I have found a lump [sad]

47 replies

Katymac · 25/10/2007 21:12

I have a major cold/flu like infection & I'm on A-B's

I have a crown on a root filling

I have a lump at the top of the gum above that tooth

Do I?
a) See dentist tomorrow
b) See dentist next week (assuming A-B's will reduce any swelling)
c) Cry
d) Panic

Ok well actually I'm doing c & d already

btw does this mean the end of my tooth - will I need a false tooth?

OP posts:
tissy · 25/10/2007 21:13

is it painful?

Tiggiwinkle · 25/10/2007 21:16

I would see the dentist asap. He will not actually do anything until the infection has gone, but at least can advise as to what will need doing and it can be booked in. It is best to get it treated quickly otherwise the infection will come back.

Original poster
Katymac · 25/10/2007 21:16

Well only if I poke it

OP posts:
beautifuldays · 25/10/2007 21:16

i had this and i still get it occasionally, it comes and goes. you need to see a doctor or dentist and get some antibiotics because it is an infection. my dentist has told me that if it keeps coming back after antibiotics then i will lose the tooth

southeastastra · 25/10/2007 21:17

don't panic.

it could be an abcess but could also be part of the infection you've got (and me). see the dentist if it hurts because they can prescribe some anti-biotics that will ease the pain. (and it's friday tomorrow).

i had an abcess on a crown and they just drilled it out and filled it. it was fine.

beautifuldays · 25/10/2007 21:17

oh sorry just realised you've already got anti-biotics. those should hopefully take care of it then, but i'd see a dentist next week to be sure - they will prob do an x-ray to check the root filling

chipkid · 25/10/2007 21:18

this happened to my ds-it was caused by an ineffective root filling-he underwent a number of treatments to clean out the infection (think they call it a synus) and despite a poor prognosis initially he did not lose the tooth

VooJu · 25/10/2007 21:18

Katy dont Poke It for crying out loud

Off to the dentist with you my dear, PDQ

chipkid · 25/10/2007 21:18

should say my DH, ds is only 6!

Original poster
Katymac · 25/10/2007 21:19

Well she asked if it hurt

OP posts:
CovenOVeneer · 25/10/2007 21:21

This is a secondary infection at the apex (tip) of the root of the root filled tooth. Generally (after an xray) it is treated with ab's. If this is unsucessful an apicectomy could be done (treating the infection at the tip of the root),or attempt the root canal treatment again. Loss of the tooth really is a last resort unless that is what the patient wants.

Original poster
Katymac · 25/10/2007 21:25

I want to keep it - it's my front one

It has always caused me problems - I chipped it when I was 8 & it's been a nightmare since

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 26/10/2007 12:44

The dentist will see me on monday morning

I am only heavy duty painkillers for the ear infection & the same a/b's as they would give me anyway

So they say they will x-ray on Monday am as the sweling should have gone down by then

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 26/10/2007 21:02

The lump got bigger

I wonder if it will burst

OP posts:
VooJu · 26/10/2007 21:52

Aw katy sorry to hear you are still suffering.

Hopefully Abs and painkillers will get you through the weekend.

Original poster
Katymac · 26/10/2007 22:26

Thanks

At least I am in no pain

I do hope it doesn't burst (that could be messy)

OP posts:
chipkid · 26/10/2007 22:36

my Dh had it for ages-it never hurt but sometimes it was bigger than others. After two treatments and some antibiotics-his did just sort of burst and that was that.

Original poster
Katymac · 26/10/2007 22:40

Was it a crown?

Did he lose the tooth?

OP posts:
chipkid · 26/10/2007 23:23

it was a root filling that had been done about 20 years before. he was run down and it arrived. It didn't hurt-he had some root work under local on two occs-it didn't seem to make it better-but then one day it sort of burst (not painful!) and was gone. He did not lose the tooth-although they said he might and he has just had it crowned.

chipkid · 26/10/2007 23:24

I should have said the root filling wasn't a good one and the infection arose from that

pooka · 26/10/2007 23:32

Crikey you really are suffering at the moment aren't you
Just a word of warning - I don't know whether this is coincidence or not but the 2 people I know that have had anti-biotics prescribed by dentist have both had bad reactions to the antib. Check the side effects bit well. You're already taking some anyway, aren't you?

chipkid · 26/10/2007 23:47

dentists usually prescribe those antibiotics that you can't drink with! also used as antabuse!

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2007 08:24

I'm on Amoxycillin (from GP) which Dentist said is the one he uses

AFAIK Amoxycillin is the one used for everything

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 30/10/2007 21:03

Ready TMI (Big time)

The lump got a big yellow head on it & it burst

The dentist says if it goes away - leave it alone & if it comes back I need 2 root canal filings to be redone

He thinks it might be an opportunistic bug which hit me when I was run down

OP posts:
LIZS · 30/10/2007 21:12

Had an apiesectomy(as COV mentioned) earlier this year after a dead tooth/root canal problem this time last year. Not pleasant but tooth is still there (it's a front one) if a little discoloured. Does it feel strange to bite on and the discharge taste odd. I had an implant of antiseptic to try and lcear mine during the root treatment.