Combined Root Canal & Gum Problems

Sometimes, you know exactly what tooth is causing pain in your mouth. At other times, the sensation of pain may seem to be coming from multiple teeth or a whole area in the mouth, making it difficult to identify exactly which tooth is causing it. This may be the case when infection exists both in the gum tissue and the root canal of a tooth. This kind of infection may have started either in the gums or in the pulp of the tooth and spread to other locations, leading to a confusing set of symptoms with a hidden origin that’s hard to identify.

When the tooth pulp gets infected severely, the disease could spread outside the tooth via the apex of the root and through the periodontal ligament to infect the gums, leading to abscesses or periodontal disease. This may cause severe pain in the affected tooth.

In other cases, an infection that starts in the gums may travel through the accessory canals located between the tooth roots and into the pulp of the tooth. The disease may spread even more easily in teeth that are fractured.

The course of treatment undertaken by Dr. Raj will depend on where the infection began in order to have the best chance of saving the infected tooth. If the infection started in the root canal and traveled to the gums, the chances of saving the tooth are higher if treatment is performed timely. But if periodontal disease caused the root canal to become infected, the tooth may have to be extracted.

In either case, a consultation with our team at Center One Dental in Canonsburg, PA will help you diagnose the exact cause of your pain so that treatment can be administered accordingly. Dental problems should not be overlooked. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your teeth or gums, contact us for an appointment.