Dental problem

[Mstiles]

I posted earlier today about some gum problems. Well after seeing the dentist got the unwelcome news that I need a root canal and have an infection/abscess at the end of the root. He put me on amoxicillin and referred me to an endodontist for the procedure, “as soon as possible.” Waiting to hear from the rheumatologist about this. I’m pretty freaked out about having this with the shape I’m in. Thinking about prednisone and infections, etc.

I just noticed the swelling and soreness this morning, who knows how long it’s been brewing. Kicking myself for not getting this checked out sooner.

Currently on 40 mg pred since beginning of January

[JulianJ]

Are you only on pred or are you taking anything else?

It's hard for those with good knowledge to reply without knowing everything you are taking.

[SheffieldJane]

I have just been through this. My dentist put in a temporary antiseptic filling and then two weeks later he did the root canal work. It was not as bad as I feared especially as it was in the root of an expensive crown that could have broken but didn’t. I hope your experience is fine too. After the pain of PMR, it felt like nothing. You have the added protection of the anti biotic.

[Mstiles in reply to SheffieldJane]

My dentist wasn’t very helpful. He just prescribed the amoxicillin and referred me to the endodontist, no real in guidance. This morning my face is really more swollen. I will call to see if I can get in quickly.

I’m glad your experience went fine, hopefully mine will too.

[linda49]

Hi Mstiles

I Found myself in similar position last summer following an abscess under a tooth. At that time I was taking 10mg of Pred for PMR and because of fractures in my ribs and spine had also received an infusion of pamidronate which is a bisphosphonate. My dentist Prescribed erythromycin to clear the infection. Had a referral to maxofacial surgeon at the hospital regarding extraction but she recommended trying to conserve the tooth due to risks of necrosis of the jaw because of the bisphosphonate use. I’m also on Apixaban, an anticoagulant after having a pulmonary embolism as well as having congestive heart failure. My dentist then referred me to an endodontist for the treatment. It was amazing.......all completed in less than an hour using an operating microscope. It was painless after the local anaesthetic and I felt relaxed listening to Fleetwood Mac!! If I remember rightLy it cost about £690. Had no problems afterwards and a few weeks later my own dentist fitted a crown to that tooth.

I do understand your feeling freaked out -I hope this may help alleviate those fears.

Take care

Linda

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You should be OK - but it will be interesting to see if this may have contributed to the "GCA" symptoms.

[Mstiles in reply to PMRpro]

The more recent symptoms I was posting about, PMR pro? Or symptoms was back at the time of diagnosis in January, (headache, PMR pain, etc.)

Could recent symptoms been caused by this? Or by involvement of a facial vein, the nerve in the tooth has died.

Who knows.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mstiles]

Yes - this has probably been hatching for a while. Maybe the headache and stuff was this, not GCA at all. Let's hope - makes life a bit simpler...

[Mstiles in reply to PMRpro]

Hope so. If only the symptoms of various problems weren’t so similar!

[Jackoh]

You are on an antibiotic and that should deal with the infection but I would say the sooner you have this root canal treatment done the better. I have had three root canal treatments whilst on steroids and the second one I was referred privately to a specialist as the dentist couldn't find the third root and all my roots are difficult to find, clean and fill as they are hooked. The specialist was excellent and there was no pain and everything was dealt with very efficiently. I do hope this will be your experience, I just think I Would chase up the referral and get it done asap. The cost of mine was about £700.

[9lives]

Aww how awful for you.

I had to have a root canal filling done in November,as like you had a nasty infection at base of root canal.

My Dentist referred me to the maxofacial dept. (Spelling?). Initially just to eliminate anything untoward. But they sent me back to my dentist who carried out the work.

I’m told this can happen with old canal work.

Unfortunately my tooth was beyond saving so had to have it removed, luckily, if there is luck, it was at the side so I declined an implant.

Well although traumatic at the time, all has healed well and no pain once tooth was out..so releaved.

I am now just started AA so pleased this has been done.

I wish you luck and know you are not alone, I do hope all goes well for you.

Keep us updated.

Best wishes

Carole

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 9lives]

It's a stinker - maxillofacial. Which was why it was always called maxfax...

[Mstiles in reply to 9lives]

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