Can a Root Canal Cause Sinus Problems?

Root canal treatments are very effective for treating infected teeth. They destroy all the bacteria in the root of your tooth, preventing them from spreading into your sinuses. In addition, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel any pain. However, you may experience discomfort in your jaw and around the affected tooth after the procedure. This pain should subside within a few days.

Many patients get confused about whether or not a root canal can cause sinus problems. The short answer is no, but there are some cases where a tooth infection can spread to the sinus lining and cause symptoms similar to a sinus infection.

This happens because the roots of the upper teeth, especially the rear molars, are close to the sinus lining. Using sharp dental tools to clean the tooth can accidentally puncture the lining and make a small hole, which is called sinus communication.

Causes

One of the most common causes of sinus problems is an infection. This may be due to an underlying condition or because of the anatomy of your teeth and nose. The good news is that, with your doctor’s permission, you can use a nasal saline solution available at your local pharmacy to fight this problem and help alleviate your symptoms.

When you get a root canal, the dentist removes infected tissue from inside your tooth. This can cause the area to swell up, which can irritate your sinuses and create a blockage. In most cases, this will resolve on its own within a few days. If not, your dentist might prescribe antibiotics for you to take until the infection is gone.

Another way that root canal treatment can lead to sinus problems is by causing a hole in your sinus lining. The sinus lining is very close to the roots of your upper teeth, so the sharp dental tools used during root canals can puncture it. This is called sinus communication, and it is actually quite common.

The good news is that a tiny hole in the sinus lining is usually not a big deal. Since the lining is so thin and delicate, it can heal from this very quickly. However, if the hole is too large, it will need to be surgically sealed.

It is also possible that your dentist created the sinus communication by accident. The sinus lining is so close to the roots of your upper teeth that the dental tool can puncture it by accident. This is called sinus communication, and it can cause some of the same symptoms as a sinus infection, like post-nasal drip, congestion, and sinus pain.

In this case, the otorhinolaryngologist should consider the dental etiology of maxillary sinusitis and recommend early root canal therapy to avoid complications such as these. The otorhinolaryngologist can also advise the patient on the use of a sinus rinse to prevent further dental complications and promote early resolution of sinusitis symptoms. In addition, a CT scan can be useful in identifying the cause of maxillary sinusitis and assessing its extent.

Symptoms

Many patients report that they have sinus problems after a root canal. These symptoms include a stuffy nose, a runny nose, or a post-nasal drip. The sinus problems are often the result of an infection that spreads from the infected tooth to the sinuses. This is known as maxillary sinusitis of endodontic origin.

During a root canal treatment, the dentist opens up the infected tooth to clean and sanitize the inside of the tooth. The roots of the upper teeth, particularly the rear teeth, are very close to the sinus lining. If one of the teeth gets infected, the bacteria can spread from the tooth to the sinus lining and cause a sinus infection. This is why it is important to visit a  professional dentist like Dr. Mayur Mehta for a checkup and a root canal regularly to keep bacteria from growing in your teeth and spreading to the sinuses.

However, sometimes the dentist accidentally makes a tiny opening in the sinus lining during a root canal treatment. This is called sinus communication and it happens because the sharp tools used to clean out the root of a tooth are very close to the sinus lining, especially in the rear teeth. If the dentist accidentally pokes the lining with the sharp tool, it creates a small opening that allows bacteria to get into the sinuses and cause a sinus infection.

This complication can also happen because of a failed root canal. If the root canal is not done properly, the bacteria in the tooth will remain alive and can spread to the sinuses. In this case, the root canal treatment needs to be repeated to eliminate the bacteria and prevent future infections.

If you have a problem with sinuses after a root canal, make sure to contact Maple Dental in Hesperia, CA for a second opinion and proper dental care. Proper cleaning, brushing and flossing will also help to reduce the chances of having a sinus infection after root canal treatment. Call today to learn more or schedule an appointment

Treatment

You can help prevent complications after a root canal by following the post-treatment instructions we give you. We will usually instruct you to avoid blowing your nose until after the procedure is complete, as it can create a lot of pressure in your sinuses. You may also be asked to rinse your mouth with a special antibacterial solution to kill any remaining bacteria.

While most people do not get a sinus infection after a root canal, some patients do. One possible reason for this is a complication called sinus communication, which is a fancy term for a very small hole in the sinus lining. This can happen during a root canal treatment because the roots of your upper teeth are very close to the sinus lining, especially in your rear teeth like molars and premolars. If your dentist accidentally punctures this lining with a tool, it can lead to sinus communication.

Another possible cause of sinus problems after a root canal is an infected tooth that did not receive adequate cleaning. If you have a root canal at our clinic, we take care to thoroughly clean out the tooth and its roots. However, if you received a root canal elsewhere, it is not uncommon for bacteria to remain in the root of the tooth and spread into your sinuses. Fortunately, your body is able to fight off these infections, though you may need antibiotics to do so.

Prevention

Root canal treatment is a relatively routine procedure, but some patients develop sinus symptoms after having it done on their upper teeth. These symptoms include nasal congestion, pressure, runny nose and post-nasal drip. The good news is that these symptoms are almost certainly not caused by the root canal. Rather, they’re most likely the result of the infection that was already present in your tooth before the root canal therapy.

The root canal procedure is designed to remove the infected tissue from your tooth, but it can also cause a problem called “sinus communication.” The ends of your upper back teeth (especially your rear molars) are located very close to your sinus lining, and the dentist uses special, sharp tools that can puncture the membrane when performing a root canal. If this occurs, it can lead to a sinus infection and other symptoms like congestion, sinus pressure, pain and drainage.

Fortunately, this is very rare and can be prevented by following the dentist’s instructions before and after your treatment. For instance, it’s important to avoid consuming foods or beverages that are high in acid content. The acid can irritate your sinuses and lead to an infection. Also, it’s best not to blow your nose for a few days after the procedure. Instead, you should use a nasal saline solution like the kind found in your local drugstore. The saline can help drain your sinuses and prevent infection.

Thus, it is important to visit a professional dentist in Hesperia when you face sinus problems after root canal treatment. If you are looking for a reputed dental office in Hesperia CA, you can count on Maple Dental. During your visit, our dentist Hesperia team will examine your sinuses and determine if you have any problems that need to be addressed. We’ll also give you tips on how to keep your sinuses healthy and free of infections. To schedule an appointment, call us at 760-949-7274.