The temporary filling fell out of my upper left canine tooth, which developed an abscess. My dentist said I needed another root canal to get rid of the abscess. If the abscess is not painful, why can’t I take more antibiotics to get rid of it? Do I really need another root canal? Thanks. Warren from MI

Warren,

Yes, you need another root canal to remove the abscess.

Can Antibiotics Remove a Tooth Abscess?

Antibiotics can fight an infection in your bloodstream. However, they cannot remove a tooth infection because there is no blood circulation inside the tooth. Although antibiotics can temporarily remove the abscess from your gum and bone, it will return when you stop taking the medication. A cycle of taking antibiotics increases your risk of breeding antibiotic-resistant bacteria in your body.

Infections of the jawbone, particularly the upper jaw, are risky because they can spread to the eye or the brain. Also, oral bacteria in a tooth promote decay from the inside out. If left untreated, a tooth will be unrestorable.

How Does an Abscess Develop in a Root Canal Tooth?

If a temporary filling falls out of a root canal tooth, bacteria from saliva can get into the tooth. Saliva can break down the seal of the root canal, reinfecting the tooth. After root canal treatment, a dentist must seal the tooth root with a filling material and cement and protect the seal with a temporary filling.

After placing the temporary filling, your dentist should schedule your final restoration with a dental crown or permanent filling. Temporary fillings are easy to take off and not made to last long, so if you don’t get a final restoration promptly, it can fall out, leading to reinfection.

We encourage you to schedule an appointment for repeat root canal treatment and promptly get a crown or permanent filling according to your dentist’s recommendations.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post. Read about what they do to provide patients with some of the best dental care in San Antonio.