Intraoral/Dental Sinus Help and Upper First Molar

[StefyS]

So about 5 and a half weeks ago, I had my upper 2nd molar extracted due to a severe infection where pus came out of it after extraction and it's healed so nicely (I had my wisdom tooth on that side removed quite a few years ago).

Shortly after the extraction, I developed what felt and looked like an ulcer on the gum behind that tooth and it was initially very painful like an ulcer for the first week of healing but it then stopped hurting but the ulcer like thing remained. It's hard, not soft and doesn't hurt when I push it, and becomes red throughout the day (it goes away through the night). I went to my dentist the other day for part one of a root canal on a different tooth and he looked at the ulcer like thing and said it's a dental sinus and he thinks it's as a result of an infection in my upper first molar (which is root canaled and crowned and doesn't hurt) but how can this be? This thing wasn't there before and it's not even behind or infront my upper first molar so I'm just really confused.

Has anyone had this before? I'm hoping as the infection in my second molar was so bad, that it's still healing. I just don't want to lose another tooth. I've already lost my lower first molar on that side and the upper 2nd molar on that side so I'd rather not lose my upper 1st molar too but I mean if I do, I will be getting an implant for Upper and Lower 1st molars.

I'm also really worried, if I remove my upper 1st molar, everyone will see that I'm missing a tooth and that depresses me.

 

[drhirst]

Oh dear Stefys, you really have been going through it!

Your dentist may well be correct. Root filled teeth can fail years after they were done. The sinus is a hole in the gum through which the infection can escape, this stops pressure building up and causing pain and swelling. It is the body trying to help itself by producing it's own built in pressure relief valve. The spot can often be forward or behind the affected tooth as infection can burrow through the gum for some distance before exiting.
Your dentist may take some more x-rays to be certain as you say he was not 100% sure.
I know this explanation does not make it any better, but hopefully will help you to understand what is going on.
Lincoln