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Question:
I had a dentist tell me that I may have an abcess tooth. I have some slight pain just under my cheekbone. No swelling. I suffer with this every spring when my allergies kick in. I had an x-ray taken of this about 10 years ago because I thought I had a bad tooth. The x-ray shows that the roots of those 2 teeth (the two just past the eye tooth) touch the sinus cavity.
I broke one of these teeth last year and the other one just a few weeks ago which is why I went to the dentist. He is telling me (without benefit of a new x-ray) that I have an abcess and that I need to have a root canal done.
Is this reasonable? How do you diagnose an abcess in the absence of any significant pain or swelling and with no x-ray? Jo in ME
Answer:
Jo, most likely by seeing where the tooth broke and reasoning that the nerve has been exposed and violated. Your dentist should examine the tooth closely and test the nerve function in order to properly diagnose an infection.
If you feel quick lasting sensitivity to cold your tooth may not be abscessed. If the tooth hurts to hot foods or biting pressure it may be abscessed. These are not definitive tests, as you may need x-rays and more examination. Get a second opinion from an endodontist.
Editorial Staff
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