“Penicillin for root canal?”
I just had a root canal for an infection in one of my back teeth, but now after my appointment, I was prescribed Penicillin. Is it normal to be prescribed Penicillin after a root canal? I thought the point of a root canal was to remove the infection.
8 Answers
Your tooth was INFECTED. The nerve, artery and vein complex in the chamber and roots were infected. You were placed on antibiotics to help fight any bacteria that may be around the root area. Dentists prescribe antibiotics because there is an infection. Dental infection can flare up and make you very sick. There is nothing wrong with taking antibiotics when there is a need for them. Patients have the idea that they should not take them. This is wrong. You take the antibiotics by taking the dose prescribed for the number of days that you need to take them.
It is true, sometime we do prescribe antibiotics.
The cause of the infection is the dead or dying nerve. The penicillin clears up the infection and creates a bacteria free environment for the root canal specialist to remove the infected nerve fill that space with an inert artificial material called gutta percha which replaces the nerve and helps to preserve the integrity of the tooth. Make sure you take your penicillin as prescribed to prevent any residual infection.
Yes it is normal
The root canal will remove the source of the infection and the pain. However, thebinfection that remains in the bone beyond the tooth is still present. The antibiotics are used to heal this more quickly.
RCT treats the condition (infection) INSIDE the tooth. Antibiotics are sometimes needed to take care of the residual bacteria OUTSIDE of the tooth (in the bone).
Antibiotics can be prescribed after a root canal on a infected tooth in order to help along the healing process.
Hello,
That’s a good question! And yes, you are correct, but there are many points one needs to consider: If there is pain prior to a root canal, generally, you can expect pain after a root canal. A root canal cleans out the dying nerve and its chamber of debris and bacteria. If there was an abscess the bacteria has reached and invaded the bone, sealing the canal will prevent this bacteria from its life source (aerobic) and eventually the infection goes away. So, although not the norm to give antibiotics post-root canal, some situations may call for it. If using antibiotics prior to root canal, you should continue and finish the course post-root canal. Please note this is a simple and general synopsis.
That’s a good question! And yes, you are correct, but there are many points one needs to consider: If there is pain prior to a root canal, generally, you can expect pain after a root canal. A root canal cleans out the dying nerve and its chamber of debris and bacteria. If there was an abscess the bacteria has reached and invaded the bone, sealing the canal will prevent this bacteria from its life source (aerobic) and eventually the infection goes away. So, although not the norm to give antibiotics post-root canal, some situations may call for it. If using antibiotics prior to root canal, you should continue and finish the course post-root canal. Please note this is a simple and general synopsis.
