“Root canal re-treatment - swollen cheek and gum bump?”

See your dentist

Necrotic tooth retreatment always carries a risk of activating a chronic, dormant infection. You need more time to let your body heal and improve the outcome. The size of the infection will determine the healing process. Smiles of Lombard, PC Monika Tyszkowski DDS, MSc General Dentistry, Functional Orthodontics, TMD, and Sleep Medicine 845 S. Main Street, Suite 201 Lombard IL 60148 Ph 630 3766176 Fax 630 5194184 www.smilesoflombard.com smilesoflombardgmail.com IMPORTANT This electronic transmission contains confidential information, some or all of which may be protected health information as defined by the federal Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act HIPAA Privacy Rule. This transmission is intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential and or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this electronic transmission to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying if this information is strictly prohibited and may be subject to legal restriction or sanction. Please notify the sender by telephone number listed above to arrange the return or destruction of the information and all copies. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE ALL PAGES, PLEASE TELEPHONE US IMMEDIATELY AT 6303766176.

Yes give it more time. But if the swelling increases, you need to let your Doctor kdoctor no. Robert Gittelman DDS FAGD 7704281999 Changing lives changing smiles.

Retreatment often takes time to heal. That's why retreatment is frequently done in more than one visit. First visit to open the tooth and remove the old root canal filling and medicate the tooth and place a temporary filling. After a week or two depending on the infection if it is pain free and infection free, the tooth can be then sealed with a permanent filling in the canals and then you would go back to your dentist to restore the tooth. Swelling once treatment starts, can be due to the infection acting up, but also can be inflammation, the body's healing process acting up. Antiinflammatories are good for inflammation and antibiotics might be appropriate for infection. Definitely call your endodontist to discuss your treatment. Good Luck.

The bump may not go away that quickly, so I would give it about another week. If it is still there after a week, you should contact the endodontist.

Sometimes it happens. Root canals sometimes don't work. There is a 7%-10% failure rate on them. This is due to very complex anatomy of root canal systems we're finding out. But luckily most of them work. If the bump doesn't subside in a week, I'd go back and see the endodontist again for follow-up. Remember, most of them work. There are newer treatments out in the last year which will correct these more complex root canal systems in certain teeth.

The antibiotics will take a few days to really mitigate the infection. If things persist or worsen, then you should call the endodontist.

Have the endodontist see you. He may have to drain the infection to aid the healing process. 

I recommend hot salt water rinses a few times a day. Absolutely finish the antibiotic. If the bump continues to grow, contact the Endodontist.

Drew Shulman, DMD MAGD

No, it is not normal. Go to see your Dr.