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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could The Cotton Inside The Filling Be The Reason For Infection?

Have a tooth infection with a tooth that has root canal work. Filling came out last night causing more pain. Dentist removed top of tooth today and rest to be taken out when infection cleared but he found cotton wool under filling? Would this have caused infection ?
Wed, 10 Jun 2015
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi Dear,

welcome to HCM.

Understanding your concern.

As per your query you had reinfection in the root canal area and due to that you get that teeth extracted, while extraction cotton wool find under filling which was not a source of infection as cotton pellets are placed in teeth to help in the quick removal of temporary fillings. It helps the dentist determine that the temporary filling has been removed and the bottom of the tooth is being approached. In most cases the pellet is removed prior to the placement of a permanent filling. The cotton pellet itself is not a source of infection since they are usually sterilized.

Bacterial build up under tooth area is the source of infection. Some times root canal treatment fails and extraction is the only treatment option in that case.

I would suggest you to take antibiotic such as Ibuprofen to prevent further infection and get also extracted whenever infection subsides and go for tooth implant.

Hope your concern has been resolved.

Get Well Soon.

Best Wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
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Could The Cotton Inside The Filling Be The Reason For Infection?

Hi Dear, welcome to HCM. Understanding your concern. As per your query you had reinfection in the root canal area and due to that you get that teeth extracted, while extraction cotton wool find under filling which was not a source of infection as cotton pellets are placed in teeth to help in the quick removal of temporary fillings. It helps the dentist determine that the temporary filling has been removed and the bottom of the tooth is being approached. In most cases the pellet is removed prior to the placement of a permanent filling. The cotton pellet itself is not a source of infection since they are usually sterilized. Bacterial build up under tooth area is the source of infection. Some times root canal treatment fails and extraction is the only treatment option in that case. I would suggest you to take antibiotic such as Ibuprofen to prevent further infection and get also extracted whenever infection subsides and go for tooth implant. Hope your concern has been resolved. Get Well Soon. Best Wishes, Dr. Harry Maheshwari