Your maxillary sinuses are very close to your top teeth. In some areas, only a sliver of tissue separates the upper tooth roots from the bottom of the sinus cavity. It’s no wonder that when there is pain in that area, the location can be hard to pinpoint. It could be an abscessed tooth needing a root canal.
Swollen sinus tissues can actually move the teeth slightly, changing the bite. The reverse scenario can also occur. The infection surrounding an abscessed tooth can easily travel to the sinus cavity.
An abscess is an infected pocket of pus in a tooth and/or the surrounding bone and tissue. The most common type of oral abscess initiates in the pulp of the tooth and is typically caused by cavities. When an abscess is small, it may go unnoticed but it will eventually bring about pain.
An abscess can damage a tooth until it is beyond saving. If it’s caught in time, it can be treated with a root canal. A root canal involves removing bacteria from the empty canals in the tooth. Then it is cleaned, filled, and sealed. After a little time passes and we’re sure the root canal was successful, we’ll place a dental crown or some other restoration on top of the tooth.
You have several sinus cavities, and pain can emanate from any or all of them, so if you have an infection in more than one sinus cavity, you may have pain behind the nose and eyes. As mentioned previously, it’s possible to be in a world of hurt with both troubles—an abscessed tooth and a sinus infection.
If you suspect you have an abscessed tooth, don’t put it off. Call us at Koch Park Dental in Florissant and schedule an appointment. We’ll determine the cause of your paint and take the appropriate steps. We provide general and cosmetic dentistry.
Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:
314-837-7744
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033
