Developed an abscess on my upper gum last week. Called my dentist who sent me to an endodontist thinking I needed a root canal. They performed an x-ray on the tooth that I thought was the culprit and said it was infected, but the x-ray is showing a bigger problem on the next tooth. Turns out my canine tooth which had a root canal done 5 or so years ago was infected and had been wreaking havoc for quite some time (never felt a thing). I have quite the amount of bone loss and had to get an apicoectomy. An apicoectomy is where they slice your gum open and fold it over exposing the jaw bone. They clean out the infection, remove the tip of the root of the tooth and then sewed me back up with 7 stitches. All week my face has been swollen including my upper lip and gum (obviously). My wife keeps telling me I look like a dog who has been stung by a bee. Been on antibiotics all week but almost 0 pain, which is good. Downside, my dental insurance only paid for half of the operation ($1400 total) since it was considered "major"Better half then none at all I guess.
Golf car salesman told me almost the same story except his infection spread to his kidneys. He said after 11 days in the ICU his Doctor told him he almost died.
