Endodontics (root canal treatment)
This question is more than six months old, so the information in the answer may no longer be accurate.
Visitor asks:
Hello,
I am 31 years old, I am missing two first molars, and the third one, which after an apicoectomy abroad I had retreated by an endodontic specialist, has started hurting again after three years. It has been hurting for about two days and I cannot sleep because of the pain. I had an X-ray taken and I will return to the endodontist to see what to do next; I am afraid I will lose a third tooth as well. Is it possible that this is only some temporary inflammation that could be treated with antibiotics and that it is due merely to a weakened immune system and is a “weather-related” issue?
I know I should get implants. I hesitated for some time because I smoked and heard that the combination of these procedures and smoking is not good. I now smoke one cigarette a day. How should I prepare so that the implant procedure will be as effective as possible?
Thank you for your answer,
Meta
Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:
Dear Sir/Madam!
If a tooth that has already undergone root canal treatment hurts, it is best to take an X-ray. Based on the image, it may be possible to decide whether repeat root canal treatment is necessary. In any case, a non-vital tooth (whether root-treated or not) represents a certain chronic focus where bacteria can occasionally multiply more intensely than usual, which can also cause certain symptoms (pain, swelling). Whether this is related to a weakened immune system or not could be the subject of a longer discussion.
Smoking is a relative contraindication for the placement of dental implants, although, for example, the classical German school considers a smoker to be someone who smokes more than ten cigarettes a day. Much more important is good hygiene. The combination of poor hygiene and smoking can of course cause inflammation of tissues around an implant much more quickly, although there are major exceptions here too. There is no sharp boundary or rule in this regard; ultimately this is a matter of decision between the operator and the patient, as they will jointly bear responsibility for the success of the treatment.
If a tooth that has already undergone root canal treatment hurts, it is best to take an X-ray. Based on the image, it may be possible to decide whether repeat root canal treatment is necessary. In any case, a non-vital tooth (whether root-treated or not) represents a certain chronic focus where bacteria can occasionally multiply more intensely than usual, which can also cause certain symptoms (pain, swelling). Whether this is related to a weakened immune system or not could be the subject of a longer discussion.
Smoking is a relative contraindication for the placement of dental implants, although, for example, the classical German school considers a smoker to be someone who smokes more than ten cigarettes a day. Much more important is good hygiene. The combination of poor hygiene and smoking can of course cause inflammation of tissues around an implant much more quickly, although there are major exceptions here too. There is no sharp boundary or rule in this regard; ultimately this is a matter of decision between the operator and the patient, as they will jointly bear responsibility for the success of the treatment.
✦ This content was translated from the original with the assistance of an AI translation system.
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